麻豆社

Albania has had many different faces over the last hundred years. Once ruled by the Ottomans, it became a kingdom before turning into a totalitarian communist state after the Second World War. During this time, no one was allowed in or out; all private property became state-owned, and bunkers sprang up across the country. After the fall of the communist regime, Albania descended into chaos. In 1996, a pyramid scheme that three quarters of the population had paid into, collapsed. People lost everything, and the country, especially the south, erupted into violence.

These days, Albania is aiming to shake off its past and transform its reputation from a country marked by corruption to one known for luxury tourism. With its miles of unspoilt beaches, snow capped mountains, and olive groves that could rival anything Greece has to offer, it鈥檚 unsurprising that it鈥檚 quickly attracting investors. Among them are Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, who, having bought an island off the coast of Vlor毛, have more recently been spotted on the secluded beaches of Zv毛rnec and Nart毛; currently home only to endangered monk seals, sea turtles, and a few sheep. They, like others, hope to benefit from new government incentives to build luxury 5 star plus resorts.

However, ghosts of Albania鈥檚 communist past remain. Land disputes, allegations of corruption, and a lack of infrastructure could derail these resorts before they鈥檝e even broken ground. For Crossing Continents, Emily Wither travels to Albania to find out whether it will be able to re-brand itself, and whether its dream of luxury escapism will become a reality.

Producer: Lizzy McNeill
Programme Mix: Neil Churchill
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison
Editor: Penny Murphy