Designated terrestrial protected areas

The strategic policy document for the protection of biodiversity identifies 25 protected areas. Albania expanded its network of terrestrial protected areas from 21.7% in 2012 to 23.1% in 2022. In 2022 and 2023, many protected areas were announced: the Gjiri i Porto – Palermo Natural Park and the Pishë Poro-Nartë Protected Landscape. The Vjosa Wild River National Park and the Albanian tulip habitat natural monument were also declared protected areas. Today, there are 767 protected areas, and they comprise about 613 456 ha (51% national parks, 0.2% natural monuments, 35% natural parks/reserves and 13% protected landscapes). The protected areas host 40 species, of which 13 are mammal and 27 are bird species. With the increase in protected areas, in line with the global post-2020 objectives and their integrated management, there are emerging challenges related to the digitalisation of the protected areas system, which facilitates the process of promoting tourism in these areas. The creation of ecotourism packages promoting protected areas as tourist destinations can increase the number of tourists and boost the country’s economy.