Shengjin Beach has become one of the most popular destinations for vacationers from Kosovo in recent years, due to its proximity to the sea just two hours away via the National Road, but this year it seems that everything has changed for the worse. 

Population of the beaches has decreased by 50%, while bars and restaurants claim that the activity has decreased by at least 30-40 percent. 

G. Gega, who for years manages a series of apartments for rent in the most populated area of ??the city, said that despite the fact that prices have not increased this year, there are fewer vacationers. He said that the reason for the drop in tourists is the higher prices of food in supermarkets and restaurants. Vacationers also claim that the fall of the euro is resulting in an additional cost for tourists from Kosovo. 

In addition to the general increase in prices, this year with the same amount of euros you get less lek, and therefore less supplies. Mr. Gega claims that, also, markets in the period of July and August in the Shengjin area sell products almost 30% more expensive than in Tirana or Lezhë. 

The administrators of the rest units in Shengjin claim that the accommodation capacity in the area has increased rapidly in recent years. They explain that the offer for housing in the Shengjin area is growing faster than the number of tourists. The distribution of tourists has led to the emptying of some beaches and restaurants that were overcrowded in previous years. 

On the other hand, vacationers value order and cleanliness on the beach. The municipality of Lezha during the tourist season makes a special organization in the city, starting from the regulation of traffic in the beach area and waste management. A series of municipal police officers instruct vacationers to throw garbage on schedule so that the area is always clean of garbage. 

Poor service seems to be the reason for the departure of tourists. Farie Demushi, who has been living abroad for years and has often visited the beaches of our country, is dissatisfied with the service. Many tourists from Kosovo think this way. The operators have invested in facilities and not in human resources, thus becoming the reason for the increase in the "hostility" of tourists with the country's beaches. 

Pizza is one of the paid professions in Albania during the tourist season. In the months of June, July and August such a person does not earn less than 1500 euros salary. In the south it costs even more. 

Marius Dushku, who is working in Shengjin this year, claims that his salary has increased by at least 30% in the last two years. 

"Currently as we are talking, I have about 6 job offers. The salary is increasing from season to season. It's not even worth emigrating," he said. 

In recent years, tourism has encouraged fast-food services, especially pizza. This is one of the most consumed products in our country, so the pizzeria and cook profession is in high demand, especially during the beach season, and the salaries are quite high. 

But despite the increase in salaries, the lack of staff is a problem. The high emigration of young people is creating a big gap in the labor market, as businesses do not have the right experience to deal with this phenomenon. 

(Source: Monitor)