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Once-isolated Albania hopes for Israeli tourist boom with launch of El Al direct flights

JL;DR SUMMARY With El Al launching direct flights from Tel Aviv to Tirana, Albania is positioning itself as a prime destination for Israeli tourists, drawn by its rich history, natural beauty, and burgeoning cultural and economic ties. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Holocaust HistoryIsraeli TourismAlbaniaEl Al FlightsHarel KopelmanAlbanian CultureJewish Albanian RelationsKosher TourismBilateral TiesTourism Development

Places mentioned

Tirana, Tirana County, Albania
"TIRANA, Albania One block off Tiranas Skanderbeg Square, Harel Kopelman is bringing traditional Albanian culture in the form of dazzling wedding rituals, colorful costumes and delicious wines and cheeses to foreigners visiting what was once one of Europes most brutal dictatorships."
Vlora, Vlorë County, Albania
"Among the many sites being constructed to draw tourists are not one but two Jewish museums one in Vlora and another in Tirana."
Valbona, Shkodër County, Albania
"Originally, they had envisioned the project as a guest house in the northern mountain town of Valbona, which attracts trekkers, but because of its remote location that didnt work out."
Himara, Vlorë County, Albania
"Haifa-born Assaf Binder, 46, has lived in Albania since 2007. The owner of a boutique fish farm in the Adriatic coastal resort town of Himara, he first settled in Vlora to manage Albanias biggest aquaculture operation; his wife, Shira, operated an Israeli-themed bakery and coffee shop."
Sazan, Vlorë County, Albania
"...Jared Kushner. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama approved Kushners bid to build a five-star hotel complex on the offshore island of Sazan, the New York Times reported in January."
Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv District, Israel
"For Israelis at least, Albania is about to get a lot more accessible. Next week, El Al will launch direct, nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and Tirana through its low-cost subsidiary, Sundor."
Rishon Lezion, Haifa District, Israel
"Hedije Hysaj, an Albanian peasant woman living near the mountainous border with Montenegro, poses for a picture with Israeli trekker Yoray Rubenstain of Rishon Lezion."
Milan, Lombardy, Italy
"Linda Dervishi, an Albanian woman with Jewish roots now living in Milan, Italy, calls Albanian Night the most meaningful project ever done to promote her countrys traditions for both tourists and locals."

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Cairo Item ID 47721
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Retrieved 2025-03-28 18:00:44 UTC
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