STABLE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT – CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

Over the decades, tourism has experienced continued growth and deepening  diversification to become one of the fastest growing 
economic sectors in the world.  Modern tourism is closely linked to the development and encompasses a growing number  of new 
destination. These dynamics have turned tourism into a key driver for socio- economic progress (UNWTO).  Shkodra city has much 
potential to develop different types of tourism. But as long as tourism is at its beginning we should take advantage of this and try not to develop mass tourism but start to plan sustainable tourism development. On this purpose I found appropriate to discuss about geotourism and the possibility to develop it in Shkodra city as a form of sustainable tourism development, and also to analyze what visitors expect from a touristic destination. I have analyzed and tested first tourist’s attitudes to see if it reflects some principles of geotourism. This can help planners and decisionmakers in the case they may want to develop geotourism in Shkodra. Planning and orientation should start from a detailed market study.