Dissertation Title: STUDY OF THE POTENTIAL OF IMPLEMENTING COUNCIL OF EUROPE CULTURAL ITINERARIES IN ALBANIA 

Authors: Dritan LLOÇI

• Institution: University of Tirana,  Faculty of History and Philology / Department of Geography

• Field of study: Humanities, Albanian and Geographical Sciences, subfield Geography 

• Publication date: 15.06.2026

• The dissertation is published in Albanian.

© Copyright: Dritan LLOÇI 

Published by the University of Tirana
Based on legal acts, regulations and policies of the UT

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acronym

The Cultural Routes Programme of the Council of Europe represents a relatively new and promising field of scientific research in Albania. This dissertation takes as its starting point the assessment of the territorial potentials of the Republic of Albania for the integration and implementation of some of these routes. The main aim of the study is to analyze in a structured manner the real possibilities of the country to be included in the Cultural Routes network and to develop implementation mechanisms at national and local level.

To achieve this goal, the methodology of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used, which enables the identification, documentation and spatial analysis of cultural and natural resources, as well as accessibility and infrastructure factors. A fundamental objective of the study is the connection of itineraries with cultural heritage assets, while maintaining the principles of environmental protection and sustainable development. Through the methods used, an inventory of itineraries for which Albania shows verifiable potential was carried out, and the possibility of integrating other forms of tourism, adapted to the characteristics of the different study areas, was assessed.

Keywords: Cultural Route, Potential, GIS, Environment, Tourism

 

Abstract

The Council of Europe's Cultural Routes Program represents a relatively new and promising field of scientific research in Albania. This dissertation takes as its starting point the assessment of the territorial potential of the Republic of Albania for the integration and implementation of selected Cultural Routes. The main aim of the study is to provide a structured analysis of the country's real opportunities to join the Cultural Routes network and to develop implementation mechanisms at both national and local levels.

To achieve this aim, the research applies a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methodology, enabling the identification, documentation, and spatial analysis of cultural and natural resources, as well as accessibility and infrastructure factors. A core objective is to link the routes with cultural heritage assets while maintaining the principles of environmental protection and sustainable development. Through the applied methods, the study compiles an inventory of routes for which Albania demonstrates verifiable potential and evaluates the feasibility of integrating other forms of tourism, tailored to the characteristics of the different study areas.

Keywords: Cultural Route; Potential; GIS; Environment; Tourism