Explore the trails and find your next destination to enjoy nature…
National Agency of Protected Areas
The National Agency of Protected Areas (AKZM) established by Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 102, dated 4.2.2015, is the central state institution responsible for protected areas, subordinate to the minister, and is responsible for their administration and control throughout the territory of the Republic of Albania.
AKZM has the status of the General Directorate at the central level, while at the local level it is organized on a district basis, according to the regional administrations of the protected areas.
The functions, composition, responsibilities, rights and duties of the Agency, as a central specialized body for protected areas and its dependent institutions, are expressly provided for in this law, as well as approved by the relevant decision of the Council of Ministers, at the proposal of the minister .
The structure and organizational chart of AKZM and its dependent institutions are approved by order of the Prime Minister.
Lezhë
Dibër
Vlorë
Tiranë
Berat
Trails in the network of protected areas
The tourism sector is becoming more and more consolidated as one of the priority sectors of the country’s economic development, this is also supported by statistics. One of the tourism products is natural tourism based on the spirit of sustainable tourism.
Protected natural areas in Albania offer opportunities for the development of rural, mountain, lake, wetland, marine tourism under the umbrella of ecotourism and outdoor activities (rafting, sports parachuting, mountain biking, fishing, mountain climbing, nature walking-hiking) , horse riding, study visits, etc.). Some of these activities are the main motive of the visits that foreign visitors undertake in the natural areas.
Currently, the protected areas cover 21% of the total area of the country’s territory. In recent years, these areas are attracting more and more visitors, local or foreign, reaching over 3.2 million in August 2023.
Protected areas are increasingly seen as potential areas for tourism promotion. More and more, there is a growing demand for the development of a special type of tourism in nature, which is essentially related to increasing the interest of tourists in protected areas.