As part of the ‘Tirana Cocktail City’ campaign, the National Cocktail Championship was organized—a truly unique event in the capital. Its primary goal was to enhance the city’s image and attract tourists to the entertainment industry.

“Tirana’s Mayor, Erion Veliaj, was present at this competition, where he was joined by his counterpart, Mayor Matteo Lepore of Bologna. Mayor Veliaj noted that the bar and restaurant industry provide employment for many people, particularly given the substantial rise in tourist numbers.

“The chain of bars and restaurants in Tirana employs over 10,000 people. To put it in perspective, most municipalities in Albania have fewer than 10,000 voters. This single industry, within our vibrant Tirana, provides employment for 10,000 individuals, making it the largest ‘company’ in Albania if we were to treat it as one. I wish to extend my encouragement to all those dedicated to this type of business, many of which are family-owned. With these jobs, families are supported, and students find work. The fact that this industry, comprised largely of family businesses, provides employment to countless young people, many of whom may not have completed their university studies yet, deserves our respect and gratitude,” stated Veliaj.

Mayor Veliaj highlighted “the noticeable increase in the number of tourists, which is evident when strolling through ‘Skënderbej’ Square. He stated, ‘When we discuss tourism figures, we’re in a different reality. A visit to ‘Skënderbej’ Square is sufficient to witness the multitude of tourists in Tirana. Some explore the Mosque, others come to see Skenderbeu, attend the opera, visit ‘Europa’ Park, explore the City Hall, explore Bunk’Art, visit the ‘House of Leaves,’ or the ‘Kadare’ house. It’s evident that today, we are a significant player in this market.“