EU-funded program trains youth as tourist guides of the archaeological park of Bylis in Albania

With ten centuries of history, from the 4th century BC to the 6th century AD, the hill where the archaeological park of Bylis is located in the Mallakastër area in the southwest of Albania offers a stunning view of the Vjosa River – but there is much more to discover.

Many young people from the area have become part of the training for local tourist guides, as part of the program “EU for Economic Development – Local Economic Development led by tourism, focusing on Cultural Heritage.”

These young people will reveal the secrets of the park to visitors, while also growing professionally themselves.

The project, supported by the EU, works to improve skills and capacities, while simultaneously increasing cooperation between local communities and the park administration.

16 applicants are attending lectures in various modules, learning the history of the area from Professor Neritan Ceka, who has excavated in the park for decades, as well as participating in communication training. The applicants will be certified in November.

The applicants learn the communication module, which covers group management, handling cultural differences, group psychology, public speaking techniques, and guidelines on what a guide should and should not do, whether in an archaeological site, on a walking tour, in a museum, or in a moving vehicle.

According to the team leader, Ilir Parangoni, “EU for Economic Development – Local Economic Development led by tourism, focusing on Cultural Heritage,” is built on three main pillars.

“The first is the preservation of the cultural heritage of the park, which includes the areas of Bylis and Klos. The second is the improvement of tourist infrastructure. The third – and most important – is the economic development of the local community. This pillar includes a wide range of local development initiatives, starting with training young people from the community as guides,” says Parangoni.

The project’s work with the park began with the drafting of key documents, including a management plan and legal frameworks. It is now moving forward with plans to establish a visitor center, information panels, a museum, a community corner, and trails within the Bylis Park.

The goal is to develop the area as a tourist destination with qualified staff, good services, and strong management.

Local artisanal products will have their own space, and the program aims to highlight what is authentic in the area – from traditional recipes to embroidery.

Although the applicants have lived in the area since they were young, they are now becoming aware of the many opportunities it offers, with cultural, historical, natural, and industrial tourism.

“EU for Economic Development – Local Economic Development led by tourism, focusing on Cultural Heritage” is a project funded by the EU and implemented by AICS, which aims to increase and preserve the usability and attractiveness of cultural heritage assets at the archaeological site of Bylis.

The program preserves and restores the cultural heritage of Bylis, improves access, and increases the sustainability of the cultural heritage of Bylis, natural assets, and other local assets with the participation and inclusion of local communities. It also promotes local economic development through the adoption of the EU’s Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) approach, improving skills and capacities, as well as increasing cooperation between local communities and the park administration. (September 29)