Albania
Suits should be worn. Punctuality is expected. Business cards are common and European practices are observed. Meetings are commonly held in a restaurant, but also at a company. Albanians are relaxed and informal. Delays are not unusual. Confirm appointments in advance. Fresh from a socialist system, Albanians may not be familiar with in-depth contract law or western methods of negotiation. Meanwhile, corruption in Albania is endemic, and legal protection for foreign firms is very limited. Foreign firms can expect their local partners in Albania to take advantage of this situation. While not every Albanian businessperson is likely fraudulent activities, caution is warranted. Office hours are 0730-1530 Monday to Friday. All offices are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Albania has a high rate of violent crime. Street crime is fairly common and occurs particularly at night. Crime is generally directed at targets of opportunity, not at foreigners specifically. Armed carjackings are a matter of considerable concern, especially for drivers of four-wheel drive and sport-utility vehicles, which criminals covet. Persons who are carjacked should surrender their vehicles without resistance. Those resisting carjackings or attempting to run roadblocks have been shot and wounded, some seriously. In the northeast, the Bajram-Curi/Tropoja area is more prone to crime.
Albtourist runs the state-owned tourist hotels but many others are now privately-run. The Ministry of Construction and Tourism is currently classifying accommodation in one of five categories according to the facilities offered. The bed capacity is expected to continue increasing.
Hotels in and around Tirana Include:
- Hotel Europapark
Rogner Intl., Austria; Blvd.
Deshmoret E Kombit
Tel: (42) 34-295, 35-035
Fax: (42) 34-447, 35-050
- Chateau Linza Motel
Qesarake, Linza
Tel. (42) 35-142
Fax: (42) 35-143
- Hotel Dajti
Boulevardi Deshmoret e Kombit, Nr. 6
Tel: (42) 33-326, 27-860, 27-862
Fax: (42) 32-012
- Tirana International (Turin Group, Italy)
Sheshi Skenderbe
Tel. (42) 34-295, 34-185
Fax (42) 34-447, 34-188
- Arb‘ria
Bulevardi D‘shmoret e Kombit
Tel. (42) 42-813
Fax. (42) 42-813
- Diplomat
Muhamet Gjollesha str.
Tel. (42) 35-542, 35-090
Fax: (42) 42-457, 34-090
- Europa International Hotel
Rruga Myslym Shyri
Tel/fax: (42) 27-403
Telephone IDD service is available to major towns. Country code: 355. Outgoing international code: 00. City codes: Tirana 42, Durresi 52, Elbasan 545, Shkodra 224, Gjirokastra 726, KorÁa 824, Vlora 63, Berati 62, Kavaja 574. For other regions, international connections are made through the nearest city.
Post office hours: 0800-1700 Monday to Friday and 0800-1300 Saturday. Electricity is 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Internet Connections
America Online
Numbers are available at keyword international. Be sure to get several local numbers before leaving. Go to keyword access (a free area) and download the software.
AOL Access Numbers in Albania:
Tirana 42 58764 28.8 $6.00 AOLGlobalnet
Compuserve
Numbers are available at Go International. If you are using CompuServe 2000, use GO PHONES within CompuServe 2000 to search for access numbers. The Compuserve Website also has a great deal of information, at http://www.compuserve.com/
There are no direct access numbers for Compuserve in Albania. Users will have to pay international rates to use the service.
ADANet
Tel: [355] 42-51633
Web: http://www.adanet.net/
Dial-Up Services Offered: 28.8, 33.6, 56K(X2)
Dedicated Access Services Offered: 56K, FracT1, T1, Frame Relay
Other Services: Wireless Connections
Albania Online
Tel: [355] 42-51122
Web: http://WWW.ALBANIAONLINE.NET/
Dial-Up Services Offered: 28.8, 33.6, 56K(X2)
Dedicated Access Services Offered: FracT1, T1, Frame Relay
Other Services: Multimedia Streaming Servers, Wireless Connections, Cyber Hotels, Roaming Accounts, visitor Temporary Access Plans
Interalb
Rruga "Deshmoret e kater shkurtit" pall 25/1
Tirana, Albania
Tel: [355] 425-1747
Fax: [355] 425-1747
Email: info@interalb.net
Web: http://www.interalb.net
24 Hours; 1.8$/hour; 10 computers available, printer, scanner, video conference, aol 'friendly'.
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
C,F
Private restaurants are appearing rapidly in Albania. In the more popular places, it is necessary to reserve a table and to be punctual. Food is typically Balkan with Turkish influences evident on any menu – byrek, kofte, shish kebab. National specialties:
• Fërgesë tirane, a hot fried dish of meat, liver, eggs and tomatoes, and tavë kosi or tavë elbasani, a mutton and yogurt dish.
• The koran, a trout from Lake Ohrid and the Shkodra carp.
• In summer, tarator, a cold yogurt
and cucumber soup, is particularly refreshing.
• Popular Albanian desserts include oshaf, a fig and sheep’s milk pudding, cakes soaked in honey and candied fruits or reçel.
• Guests of honor are quite often presented with a baked sheep’s head.
• A favorite in the south is kukurec (stuffed sheep’s intestines).
• Continental breakfasts are usually served in hotels, but in the country the Albanian breakfast of pilaf (rice) or paça (a wholesome soup made from animals’ innards) may not be to everyone’s taste. National drinks:
• All bars and restaurants serve raki, local red and white wines and different liqueurs.
• The Albanian cognac, with its distinctive aroma, is also popular.
• Many imported drinks can also be found, including Austrian canned beer, Macedonian wine and ouzo from Greece.
• Turkish coffee (kafe Turke) is popular with Albanians, but many bars also serve Italian espresso (ekspres). Tipping:
Previously frowned upon by the authorities, tips are gratefully received in restaurants or for any service provided.Nightlife
The most popular form of nightlife is the xhiro, the evening stroll along the main boulevards and squares of each town and village. Cultural life takes the form of theater, opera and concerts. Discos and games arcades are beginning to appear. Some hotels have taverns with music and dancing.
