The Challenges of the Western Balkans
Channel: Juan Carlos Rodarte
Date: 2019-05-11

Jack Delf, Western Balkans Geotourism Network Chairman, from a few years back until now has sought to generate a transformative tourism by means of Black Mountain in the Balkans. We have spent with him the last days of our journey, so  those effective hours on the road shared with his thoughts led us to understand the various challenges of this beautiful region of the planet . We will seek to list the ideas in a summary, taking also into account all the experiences including  the ones in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania.

*The first challenge is found in the conception of poverty.*
On multiple occasions on our trip we heard and read that one of the main questions to exponentiate tourism in the region is to raise the people’s quality of life and generate jobs. The purpose is noble, it is suitable for the species as a society and the short-term well-being of some. However, it is important to note that before our eyes the only thing we saw in the people of the countries we met was absolute admiration for the means of production they have, the freedom they have to enjoy their day, the air they breathe away from polluting factories, and living in community. They are millionaires having the possibility of feeding themselves with pesticide-free produce and food, far from the problems that come with the processed products that we in the West use every day. Sure, there will always be a lack of means of improvement, for everyone all over the world, but the well-being of knowing that the goat they milk  has been taken care of with love and has grazed every morning since newborn in a field that does not know the existence of herbicides,  eliminates any welfare scheme created and speculated by man.

What is important? The challenge is for the new generations. They must understand they have the opportunity to respect the current processes and add the necessary technology that does not overwhelm and globalize an unparalleled purity. Traveling to the Balkans is truly remembering what matters in the world. Young generations here must conceive it quickly and clearly that their countries are filled with an absolute immaculate glory that cannot be seen in other parts of the world.

The second challenge is the care of the land.
Specifically, we’re referring to the local people of the Balkans not putting their land up for sale to foreign investors.  The purchasing power of foreign investors carries with it the severe risk of changing the landscape forever, often to the detriment of its nature, biodiversity, quality of life for local people and wildlife, and, as being proven in other countries, it’s economy and incentive for tourism.   Other countries internationally have fallen into the heartrending reality of selling their land and its accompanying biodiversity. They are left at the mercy of any  money generated by any economic practice to leave the country. The importance of locals being proud of their land, traditions, and productive means is the only thing that will preserve trees, mountains, rivers, animals, insects and with it life itself.

How to make this happen? Much of the work is done by people like those we had the opportunity to meet and many more who are anonymous in this expedition but surely leave a  legacy. The locals, regardless of the economic activity in which today they are practicing, are the only ones able to restrict the entrance of any government or malicious investor that seeks to pipe their water and then sell them bottled. Yes, in Albania the water is still free, clean and pure from the mountains.

*The third and very powerful challenge is the vertiginous globalization*
The immaculateness of the Balkans is amazing with its peace of the mountains.  Its beauty leaves you speechless, its colors dazzle.  However, for the locals it can be tempting to let themselves be carried away by the substitution of their products, simply because they are "new" or "different". We have seen how the customs are repeatedly lost or even worse, there is no proper management of the waste that these types of products leave.

The fourth is without a doubt the planning of the destination
It is essential that Master Plans accompany the locals to develop their tourism products, otherwise everything will fall apart. Improvisation is a bad adviser that can corrupt governments and leaders. Which government does not want to demonstrate large rising numbers that may be perceived as positive? The correct selection of market, development of products with a fair price, creation or strengthening of institutions and the commercial homologation of the destination under the vision of sustainability must be present in each decision.

Established agreements that aim at short, medium and long term is what will give a guide for the next generations that can really think about sustainability.