24 June 2009 | Since the end of Communism, which managed to preserve Albania from pollution, the consumer and construction explosion in the country are endangering its pristine landscapes, especially those along the coast – a factor that could be a major draw for tourists.

Both of the leading candidates in the national elections that will take place on June 28 say they will address Albania’s poorly organised garbage disposal and sewage systems if they win, international media reported last week.

Albania’s coastline on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas stretches over nearly 400 kilometres and though the country remains the least developed in Europe, it is already suffering from uncontrolled overdevelopment along its coasts. As BalkanTravellers.com reported last year, the country lacks proper sewage treatment facilities, while solid waste disposal systems are badly organised, leading to unregulated dumping of garbage.

A recent Reuters report described “small random piles of trash by the roadside, with larger quantities sometimes dumped over cliffs or into rivers,” but added that “many beaches and mountains remain isolated and pristine.”

“It is an absolute priority to clear the country from trash, especially the area with tourism which is very much out of control, especially for the seaside,” the reported quoted Edi Rama, the Socialist leader and mayor of Tirana who is hoping to become the next prime minister.

In addition to trash, another – though less obvious problem, is a lack of a proper sewage system in the country. Experts say Tirana's sewage goes into rivers, while that of the newly built hotels along the country’s coast end up in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.

Current Prime Minister Berisha, who is running for a second term in office, is also making promises to address the situation if elected.

If left unsolved, the trash and sewage disposal problems that plague Albania could have dismal results for the country’s tourism prospects. According to the Reuters report, the industry has helped Albania enjoy a growth of more than five per cent in all but one year over the past decade.

Read more about Albania from BalkanTravellers.com