Tourism in Tirana under communist regime

Tourists in Tirana streets

Who is curious about tourism during communist regime in Albania? Well that time Albania was truly isolated. But this doesn't mean we don't have tourists. Most of visitors came from other communists countries, with whom Albania has good economic and trade relations. 
The tourists visiting our country that time considered themselves lucky, because it was almost impossible to see and witness how people live in dictatorship regimes. It was something forbidden, the same like North Korea today, or Cuba two decades ago. Not everyone had the chance to see these countries. 

Some rare images presenting the tourism in Tirana, in 50's were published these days in SCAN TV, Albanian local television. It is a documentary produced in 1963 by Albanian Kinostudio, which now is turned in colors by a laboratory in Hungary.

Tourist arrival 

The video shows that despite the low numbers of tourists, the industry was well organized. Tourism was not a priority for Albanian economy, but we had a National Enterprise of Tourism, similar to National Tourism Agency we have today. The tourists had a dedicated bus. They were accompanied by tourists guides, who knew very well the history and were instructed perfectly what to tell or not to tell to a foreign visitor. The guides of that time knew also foreign languages like English, French Russian etc. 

Visitors were warned to respect some rules in the communist country since their arrival. First of all, their traveling visa was not longer than one month stay. All the devices they had, such as camera, or radio they had to declare in cheeking points, in Durres port or Airport. The tourists were advised how to wear, not to go in streets with exaggerated short skirts or swimming suits, because it was forbidden.  

Read the full article here: 

http://www.visit-tirana.com/news/view/86/Tourism_in_Tirana_under_communist_regime