TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022 by jarpin2008

TOURISM | HOSPITALITY | BUSINESS | DIPLOMACY | CULTURE

FEBRUARY 2021

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MANDRITSA…

TOURISM | HOSPITALITY | BUSINESS | DIPLOMACY | CULTURE

FEBRUARY 2021

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022

Mövenpick Hotel Lalëz Durrës is a modern, elegant 5-star hotel with panoramic views, perfect for a romantic, charming vacation, in the enchanting area of Lalëz and the Adriatic Sea. The hotel features 80 minimalistic, glaring, inviting rooms and various facilities. Whether you want to swim in the indoor or outdoor pool, taste delicious food from two restaurants, unwind at the SPA, or enjoy attractive rooftop and beach bar views, you can have it all. Beach access at all times, thought out in detail personal service and a big open space conference room to make moments, located in one of the most delightful locations of the Albanian coastline. Visit the award-winning hotel and you will be mesmerized.

We make

moments

Mövenpick Hotel Lalëz Durrës Kompleksi Turistik Lura 2

Restaurant & Bar

SPA Facilities

reservation@movenpicklalez.com www.movenpick.com

Swimming Pool

Free Parking

+355 69 601 1181 @movenpickdurres

Beach Access

Enjoy the Future now.

Windows & doors from Schüco.

5. Eurolab (advertisement)

For more information or support, please contact our sales representative: +355 68 20 50 919 or a.hasani@alukoenigstahl.com

IDEEA conference

Investment and Development of Eastern & Central European Assets 17 – 19 May 2022, Hilton Belgrade, Serbia www.ideea-forum.com alukoenigstahl.com alukoenigstahlalbkos alukoenigstahl

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DRITAN FINO

IACA COURSES

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TIRANA INC.

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CLEANSCORE

ALBA BROJKA

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF ALBANIA

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AMBASSADOR OF ALBANIA TO BULGARIA

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ROBERT BOLE

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PKF

FUNKY CABINS

PORTUGUESE TILES

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FABJOLA ARAPI

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WOLFGANG GEORG ARLT

SACHER HOTEL

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IN BRIEF

DAN ORYAN

106 SWISS

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URBAN GREEN FAÇADES

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ALUKÖNIGSTAHL

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMBASSY OF SWEDEN.

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JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE D I S C OV E R F I N L A N D

D I S C OV E R F I N L A N D

SPRING SKIING IN THE FINNISH LAPLAND 8

hat would it sound like to be in the middle of complete quietness and peace, sun warming your face and bright white snowfields continuing on gentle slopes seemingly forever? Spring skiing holidays in Finland are a legendary combination of the best that Lapland can offer. Longer days than anywhere else in Europe at that time, blue skies, excellent ski centers, hundreds of kilometers of cross-country ski tracks and untouched nature for free skiers who want to take a hike into the backcountry. Easy going family restaurants and wild after ski nightlife. Really, there is something for everyone.

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forth… each has its own atmosphere. And of course, they all also cater to crosscountry skiers. Admittedly you will not find Alpine level vertical differences in Lapland. What you will find however is a unique environment, extraordinarily good organisation and infrastructure, high snow safety, great rental offer and equipment, so you don’t need to worry about the quality of your gear, and an easy-going relaxed atmosphere. It is a place for some serious skiing and family holidays alike. Finally, if you are interested in the backcountry skiing, ski touring and wilderness, Lapland has more of that than any other place in Europe. It is the largest remaining wild habitat on our continent. Get a local guide and let her lead you to the secret short and steep couloirs which you would not safely find yourself, into the forest for skiing between the snow-covered trees on crystalline powder or on top of gentle fells from where you can cruise down in a late evening sun on spring snow and end the perfect day with a huge smile on your face.

Cross-country skiing – the traditional way

Since times long gone, cross-country skiing has been the way of moving around the snowy environment. All the way up to 80s and 90s, cross-country was the dominant winter sport in Finland, and the Finns, whether from the cities or from the countryside, learned cross-country ski almost as soon as they learned to walk. It may sound like an urban (or rural for that matter) myth, but many of us actually did go to school skiing in the winter in the 70s and early 80s! The Finnish Lapland offers an extraordinary network of hundreds of kilometers of tracks of all levels. If you are a beginner and want to learn the basics, there are short easy tracks which you can explore yourself or with your family, preferably with a ski instructor who will get you skiing like a pro in no time. And if you are already a serious cross-country skier, you can find tracks and combination of tracks which allow you to go for dozens of kilometres without having to do laps. You will get into the nature, deeper than you never thought possible, while staying on marked, well-maintained and safe routes those long spring days.

Lapland – not just a Christmas destination

While we all know that Santa Claus has his offices and village in Rovaniemi, and even if foreign tourism in Lapland concentrates around Christmas, Lapland is really an all-year destination. Whereas the “kaamos” light of Christmas time, when sun doesn’t rise above the horizon at all, is something truly magical, the 14hour sunny days on snow at the end of March and early April are a pure joy. If you are a person who does not feel comfortable in -20 degrees, then spring winter in Lapland is made for you. The temperatures are close 0 or even above it during the day, yet the night freeze keeps the snow pristine for any visitor to enjoy. You will get the best of both worlds: lots of snow without the cold. It will be magical and different from anything you have seen on its own right. When the South of Europe begins the preparations for beach holidays, you can gear up and have a blast on the slopes, ski tracks and the fells in the pure Lappish style which remains unique in

The former generations knew all of the above. They populated Lappish ski tracks in the spring from all layers of the society from factory workers and civil servants to business magnates and top politicians.

Now, new generations of cross-country skiers are emerging, driven partly by the low impact exercise it gives for the heart as well as the whole body, partly, and probably to an even greater extent, by the mere fun of it. Lapland in the spring is the perfect place to get into the sport!

Down the hill we go!

While Finland has been flattened by at least five ice ages over hundreds of thousands of years, the highest mountains – or fells as they are called in Lapland – are up in the north. This also means that the best ski centers are located there. From the longest pistes to the shorter and steeper runs, whatever your level, you will find ski fun there for days on end. There is no reason to put one center above the other. From Ylläs to Levi, from Ruka to Saariselkä, Salla to Suomu, Ukkohalla to Syöte and Luosto and so

How to get there?

From Helsinki you can choose between trains, airplanes, and car. Mind you, the car can also be put on the train, and while you are dreaming of the forthcoming sunny holidays in Lapland in your private sleep compartment, the train makes its way to the destination. Wake up refreshed, step in your car at the train station in the morning and get to your hotel ready to hit the tracks and slopes!

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the whole world. Plus, with a bit of luck, the Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights, can also be at rendez-vous!

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I N T E R I O R D E S I G N /A R C H I T E C H T U R E

STEP INSIDE THE MOC WITH KARINE SIMONOT

Working for Albana(Alba Imoveis)is 100% fun and exciting, working with her is a total pleasure considering her very human approach in everything. BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO PHOTOS BY MOC & ALBA IMOVEIS

exclusive interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE. In the course of this exciting job, it was Brazil that opened another big window in her career. Through a common friend, she got to know the Albanian trailblazing entrepreneur, Albana Karakushi, Director of Alba Imoveis who left United States and settled in Fortim, Ceará in Brazil. Empathy between the two women struck immediately.

In 2006, the French interior designer and architect, Karine Simonot, created her studio – MOC Maisons, Objets & Chantiers (Houses, Objects and Architectural Projects) while she had started to work as an interior designer since 1996. “My favorite projects are the ones having a soul of their own, able to tell a story to their visitors. I love when my clients have some collection or passion and they ask me to integrate that into the project,” Simonot says in an

“This friendship has been growing since

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I N T E R I O R D E S I G N /A R C H I T E C H T U R E

Among them, there is a huge project, a hotel in the green side of Portal de Maceio and a cozy Co-working café in the village. “Both projects are very challenging and involving the local population, a point for which Albana is very attached to,” she states.

then into a total trusty relationship. Working for Albana is 100% fun and exciting, working with her is a total pleasure considering her very human approach in everything,” Simonot says. Their cooperation has evolved fast and smoothly to date with big and challenging projects on the pipeline.

Trailblazing Magazine invites you to read the interview with Ms. Simonot to learn about MOC and its philosophy from A to Z. Full interview below:

Let’s talk about MOC (Maisons, Objets & Chantiers). What is the story behind your company? When did you begin working in this field? What inspires and drives you? Officially MOC was created in 2006 but I started working as an Interior Designer 10 years earlier, after deciding to quit my

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3. How did the cooperation with Alba Imóveis begin? How would you describe this partnership? What is your next project together? We were introduced six years ago by a common friend who was Albana’s business partner at the time. I think there was immediate respect and interest on both sides but it took us a while to grow it into a real friendship. Albana quickly gave me the opportunity to work with her and it was immediately more than a bare business bond. This friendship has been growing since then into a total trusty relationship. Working for Albana is 100% fun and exciting, working with her is a total pleasure considering her very human approach in everything.

attracted the to bare and noble material set in a colorful and playful atmosphere. It is not the « What » that inspires my work daily but the many « Whats » that are just in front of anybody’s eyes taking the time to see. I find my ideas in the nature surrounding me, the people I come cross, the movies, fashion design, food, and travels of course. I pin every image that brings a smile to my face, knowing I will find some use of it one day. In Brazil, I spent a lot of time doing this. I took pictures of market stalls, boats anchored by the beach, church interiors, knowing that this was going to be material of inspiration for future projects there.

Projects) since I really wanted to develop equally these 3 dimensions in my work. The DNA of MOC is a bit like mine: very Frenchie but based on multi-cultural roots, valuing my Heritage a lot but in a contemporary interpretation. MOC is also

job as a journalist. I was living in Miami at the time and studied Interior Design there before moving back to France. I named my studio MOC after the 3 initials of Maisons, Objets & Chantiers (Houses, Objects and Architectural

2. Can you talk to us about some of the main projects of MOC? How do you incorporate taste and purpose, your own and that of your clients? MOC’s projects are always the result of an encounter, a dialogue and a process toward a unique result each time. It is of course truer for residential projects but for restaurants, hotels & offices, the encounter is the one between The Place itself and the interior designer. A place has a lot to tell you before you can start remodel it. My favorite projects are the ones having a soul of their own, able to tell a story to their visitors. I love when my clients have some collection or passion and they ask me to integrate that into the project. A book collection is the obvious scenario but I had to deal once with an impressive pig collection that was to be enhanced in the living area...

We are currently working on a huge project of hotel in the green side of Pontal de Maceio and a cozy Co-working cafe in the village. Both projects are very challenging and involving the local population, a point for which Albana is very attached to. I already know that there will be more to come. Albana has completely dedicated herself into the development of this tiny part of Brazil and comes with more than one idea per day about it. 4. Director of Alba Imoveis, Mrs. Albana Karakushi has told us that you also designed a whole furniture and lightning fixture for Alba Imoveis. Yes, I just loved designing for Brazil! We used only natural material for this collection inspired of the Golden Rio de Janeiro times, like in Netflix TVshow

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and use it as a base of our work. The idea is to invent a unique atmosphere for this place, remaining away from a pastiche of Occidental designing. 6. What do you take into consideration before starting a cooperation? Having quite an extensive experience I don’t bother involving myself into boring cooperation or projects involving conflictual relationships. I guess that my clients and I chose each other knowing that it is going to be a fun journey together. On the other hand, the budget is not something that limits me if we are given enough time to find clever ideas that will make an impressive effect for a modest sum.

CONTACT: MOC Website http://www.mocmoc.fr Phone +33661445231

You have to remain very humble when designing in this little Paradise called Ceara: Nature’ surroundings will always be more beautiful than everything you might create.

As regarding to the local culture of Ceara, Coisa mais Linda. Lots of wood, bright 50’s colors and simple shapes. 5. What role or place does the breathtaking nature, the ocean and culture of Ceara play in your interior design there?

MOC will always respect traditional craft and use it as a base of our work. The idea is to invent a unique atmosphere for this place, remaining away from a pastiche of Occidental designing.

You have to remain very humble when designing in this little Paradise: Nature’ surroundings will always be more beautiful than everything you might create. As regarding to the local culture, MOC will always respect traditional craft

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Designing a Hotel in North East of Brazil. The WOMEN behind it. BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

After the many projects and contribution Alba Imoveis in general and its Director, Mrs. Albana Karakushi in particular has given to Ceara and its local population with a lot of passion and kindness, it is the turn of a hotel, uncommon for its mission. Alongside with Ms. Karine Simonot, Founder of MOC, they will build up an “oasis” of love and peace. The hotel will be erected in the green side of Portal de Maceio in Fortim, Brazil,

which remains a Nature Paradise. “The new hotel will be all these but most importantly will be a place that will instill love and peace. Love for nature and for family and friends and for shared experiences, says the Director of Alba Imoveis, Karakushi in an exclusive interview with TRAILBLAZING

According to Karakushi, the hotel will bring a unique design that brings an international feel while incorporating local culture. “We will preserve the untouched natural surrounding in the maximum. The hotel will stretch from the beach to the village, bringing the life of the village within reach,” she affirms. In the following interview, Karakushi and Simonot will take the Trailblazing Magazine readers in the journey of their creativity, passion and love in conceiving and designing an outstanding hotel:

What can you tell us about choosing to work with Karine Simonot & her company MOC.? Albana: Since the first collaboration, for which I have to thank my former business partner Emmanuel Noyant, I have found her style and themes a wonderful source of inspiration for what is possible to do in Pontal de Maceio and more broadly in Ceara. Karine is incredible talented and has a decades of experience in France and abroad. She has already done many projects with us like hotels, beach homes and commercial spaces. Everything she touches turns into a beautiful space. She is in her work subtle and sophisticating, simple and elegant, local and international. As you can tell I am a fan of her work.

---What can you tell us about the new hotel you are planning on and its concept? What will be unique about it? Albana: I sense that this is the right time to build a hotel on the West Side of Pontal de Maceio as I like to call this area in a property with 7.5 hectares filled with Cashew, coconut, carnauba and other trees. There are many beautiful hotels oceanfront in Fortim, Like Villa Selvagem, Jaguaribe Kite & Lodge, Jaguarindia Hotel and all offering luxury experiences but at present there isn’t a hotel in a lush and untouched natural surrounding with a close distance to the village and the beach.

Karine what can you tell us about the architecture and style of the Vila Alba Hotel Project? Karine: I found that in Fortim, the outdoor living is definitely more important than the indoors throughout the year. When visiting some of the houses that fellow Europeans have built recently in the area, I often have been struck by the large empty family spaces,

Our concept is to build a hotel that caters to families that look for unique experiences for each member. An oasis of peace, surrounded by verdant

O U T S TA N D I N G H O T E L S

lush vegetation, filled with options of sports and cultural activities while at the same time enjoying interesting culinary experiences. This hotel will bring a unique design that brings an international feel while incorporating local culture. We will preserve the untouched natural surrounding in the maximum. The hotel will stretch from the beach to the village, bringing the life of the village within reach.

MAGAZINE.

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the talent of local artisans a unique yet simple design to create a “Maison de Famille” serene atmosphere in the private spaces as well as the shared ones.

dinning and sitting rooms. Everyone would rather gather outside on the terraces while enjoying the view, a light breeze and the song of birds rather than be indoors. I kept this in mind when I started drawing the hotel. The goal was to offer this outside experience to every guest while protecting them from the sun when it is too strong and from the rain during the rainy season. This is why we decided to build various sized detached units rather than a big unique building. The challenge was to dispatch the units in the property in such a way as to give our guest privacy and at the same time heart-to-heart with the natural surroundings. The rest is evident, using raw and local material, bespoke furniture based on

What makes this project special Karine? Karine: For this project we were keen to design a specific place for each activity. Like a village inside the village, guests will enjoy local products, cooking workshop near our Permaculture Mandala, then stroll around the property walkways for a yoga session in open air. We attached also great importance in designing an unforgettable Kids’ experience: hosted in a playful building with giant hammocks to nap in, nesting sofas, outside playground course and a terrific climbing wall.

What authentic local experiences will guests have access to? Albana: The hotel will fill a niche in the Fortim Hospitality market. Helping parents organize intellectual, cultural, sports and fun activities for their children and similarly for adults. Giving them this way time and room for their own leisure. Organizing cultural activities available for guests, musical evenings, cinema evening, daily trips to explore this area of Ceara and finally personalized experiences through special client services for each unit.

adventurous and artistic. In short not only investors who have financial interest but also who will be partners in our project and have share our values and concerns for environmentally socially and economically minded development. What will make your hotel memorable for your guests? What feelings will the guests have once inside this hotel? Albana: What will make the hotel memorable is the feeling of entering into a special world, sophisticated but not rigid, simple and subtle, fun and relaxing, artistic and international. The hotel will be all these but most importantly will be a place that will instill love and peace. Love for nature and for family and friends and for shared experiences.

What type of guests and investors are you looking for your hotel? We are looking for investors who love Brazil, who are passionate about responsible development socially and environmentally, and also who are

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BY JOSE PINTO*

ny business success is built off on a strong set of guiding principles intended to ensure a business and its employees act with honesty and integrity in all aspects of their day-to-day operations, and only engage in acts that promote a benefit to society, customers and anyone that are served by such business regardless, size, type or gender. Ethics and Professional Conduct • Welcome and support people of all backgrounds and identities. • Depend on each other, so you and the company can produce the best work • Be respectful to everyone regardless the gender. • Choose your words carefully. • Don’t harass. • Make differences into strength Here are some practices that I recommend to be observed in your daily business practices.

Create a Customer Value Strategy According to my years of experience in Business as an International Executive, ethical standards in business are built off of a customer focus and commitment to providing value to them and employees. When an organization is committed to improving the lives and satisfaction of its customers and employees they can expect great and long business returns on their organization. Accounting Practices Financial honesty and transparency is a basic expectation of shareholders, customers, and employees. It serves no one when organizations “cook the books” or are careless – whether it be intentional or accidental. Careless accounting practices limit an organization’s ability to operate with good financial management and have sustainable growth.

by unresolved service or any type of product issues.

Can any organization budget or business forecasting be accurate when there is not complete transparency or there is no trust among the elements involved in such?

Customer Service Integrity Service after the sale is what service integrity is all about. It must be clear to any customer. It is crucial that you provide a great customer experience to grow your loyal customer base.

Here are some elements that can help to Demonstrate Good Business Ethics and Integrity

It is easy to make promises before a sale but following up and ensuring a great customer experience is what makes your organizations stand out.

Accounts and Administrative Practices Financial honesty and transparency is a basic expectation of shareholders, customers and employees. Get every single employee or third party properly inducted with your business code of conduct. It serves to no one when any business is carelessness and has accounting and administration practices not complied with within the expected limits within the organization.

Personal Integrity It is crucial that all business leaders live a lifestyle of honesty, integrity and high ethical standards. These leaders can harm the reputation of the organization if they don’t follow such principle. Any type of misconduct or scandal can sadly generate negative impressions and image that ultimately will severely affect the company’s values and bottom lines or profitability.

The Selling Trues When any organization markets a product or service, whether it is a TV ad or in social media or in a printed format like newspaper, such the product or service described MUST be delivered to the customer the way its advertised or promoted. There should be no short cuts or even lots of excuses for not complying with the promise.

Product Integrity It’s important to those of us who purchase products and services. Public perception and brand recognition comes into play. When we chose any product or service it is because they are trusted and have provided an image or product that suits or needs.

Management Practices Integrity in any management practice is the foundation for any organization or company. Whether it is good customer service or fair employment practices, any businesses reputation will be tarnished

Unfortunately, there are so many negative experiences with the service after the sale either about the product or the integrity.

F O U N D E R ’ S N OT E

Here are some highlights of what are the expected Ethics and Integrity in Business

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customers regardless their gender etc. Respect for People: We value our people, encourage their development and reward their performance.

*Founder of JPHOSPITALITY.EU & TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE

Organizations or individual business that operate with integrity do so intentionally and make it part of its everyday practices they are successful in their business. The climate of honesty and trust helps orient new employees to understand that operating with integrity is simply “the way things are done around here”. Customers, clients and or service receivers must be aware of your company culture. Business Culture example Quality: We deliver premium value to our customers. Integrity: We uphold the highest standards in all our actions. Teamwork: We work together, across boundaries, to meet the needs of our

Why settle for less quality in education, when you can have the best Mini-MBA?

Photograph: Rainer Viertlboeck/Courtesy of Murphy/Jahn

*Founder of

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Email me at jose.pinto@jphospitality.eu

Mini-MBA

CREATIVE LEADERSHIP HAS BECOME THE MOST PRIZED QUALITY OF PEOPLE IN ORGANIZATIONS. INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT ACADEMY EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

941.999.7229 intlmanagementacademy@gmail.com internationalacad.org

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Mövenpick Lalez, Love at First Sight BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

Full interview below:

“Our hotel is the ideal address for travellers who enjoy the luxury experience, tailor-made service, and are inspired by the richness of Lalez Bay. For me personally, the property was a love at first sight since Mövenpick Lalez is a little piece of paradise and a perfect getaway from the crowded cities. It is located in the most beautiful part of the Adriatic coast and it is only 30km away from Tirana International Airport.” This is how the General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Lalez Durres, Mr. Aleksandar Krasojevic introduces Mövenpick Lalez in an exclusive interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE. He assures that during 2022, the guests can expect from Mövenpick Hotel Lalez Durres the highest level of customer service, a warm welcome, a familyoriented luxury lifestyle atmosphere, exceptional dining experiences, heavenly time in the Spa Center and fantastic designed rooms.

Please can you tell us more about yourself and how your career unfolded in the hospitality industry? Somehow, I always knew I would work in the tourism industry one day. As a passionate traveler, I have first handedly discovered what a crucial importance receiving an exceptional customer service plays when it comes to an overall guest satisfaction. My father has dedicated his whole life to tourism and travel industry, so I decided to follow his steps. Those were the reasons why I enrolled in Singidunum University in Belgrade, Tourism and Hospitality Department. My very first hotel experience was in Crowne Plaza Belgrade, an IHG hotel where I was a part of the front office team, and where I have learned all of the basics and fundamentals of how the hotel functions. During this time, I was monitored by the hotel’s General Manager and that experience helped me significantly with everything that was awaiting me in the future. Afterward, I was presented with the opportunity to join Doubletree by Hilton in Washington DC where I have experienced a different brand of standards (Hilton Hotels & Resorts), a different approach to hospitality, and had a chance prove myself. These efforts were greatly recognized by the hotel’s General Manager and the Top Management team. After that, I went to Montenegro to join the pre-opening management team of HUMA Kotor Bay 5* Hotels & Villas where I have reached my full potential and was one of the leaders of very challenging

The hotel, inaugurated last July, owns a farm nearby and most of the fruits and vegetables are harvested there and therefore served exquisitely fresh directly to the guests. Founded in Switzerland, Mövenpick brand holds a growing portfolio of more than 90 hotels in 25 countries. Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts are known around the world for creating lasting memories by doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way. The owner and investor of Mövenpick Hotel Lalez Durres is Lura sh.p.k, Albanian construction company with many designed and implemented residential, commercial and institutional projects.

T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

Aleksandar Krasojevic:

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What are the main features the Hotel offers in all the seasons? The hotel offers 80 beautifully designed and spacious rooms and suites, with stunning views from balconies and terraces in all of the accommodation units. A vast variety of dining options could be found in the Hotel’s restaurant and Lobby bar, Aqua restaurant on three floors, and Elements Beach Bar. We are also very proud of our Spa & Fitness Centre, a shining diamond among our facilities, with indoor pool, beauty center, sauna, steam room, hammam, salt room, massage rooms, fitness room, and gym. All of our guests have an outdoor pool and a private part of the beach at their disposal, with sunbeds and sun lounges included in the room rate. Our guests also have complimentary parking and Wi-Fi available. The hotel is facilitated with the main Conference Hall (370m2), equipped with the latest technology and translation room included, as well as an additional meeting room space, ideal for all business travellers. What are the main challenges for you to operate and manage a hotel outside the city 12 months a year?

How can you introduce Movenpick Hotel in Durres?

principle, you will be sure to reach all targets and goals and therefore good results are inevitable. Given the strategic position of Movenpick Hotel in the coastal city, are you planning to associate the hotel with some farming and make your menus bio since on the area there is a lot of prospect flourishing farms? Actually, the hotel owns a farm nearby and most of our fruits and vegetables are harvested there and therefore served exquisitely fresh directly to our guests as the bio-options from our restaurant menu. In the short future, we are planning on expanding the farm and even including our adventurous guests in the harvesting activities along with our Executive Chef as one of the unique experiences our hotel has to offer.

The main challenge is fighting against very expressed seasonality, but I am sure that our new sales and marketing strategy will give positive results and that in the next period we will only think about the rate and revenue management and not about low occupancy in the offseason months. Another challenge has to deal with a labor force and keeping quality young people in the industry, especially now during the pandemic era. With the full implementation of Mövenpick brand standards along with raising awareness about the brand culture I am convinced that an increasing amount of people will be attracted to work for a highly recognized international brand such as Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

What expectations should people have for Movenpick Hotel Durres for 2022? We will definitely be having a recordbreaking season with a lot of new and interesting activities and packages for all of our guests, but whoever walks through the main gate of Mövenpick Hotel Lalez Durres can expect no less than to experience the highest level of customer service, a very warm welcoming ambience, a family-oriented luxury lifestyle atmosphere, dedication and personalized service from each and every staff member, exceptional dining experiences, relaxing and heavenly time in our Spa Centre while falling in love with our rooms and interior designs. Our guests can look forward to a time to remember during their stay and a feeling of urge to come back again as soon as possible during the check-out.

How is it for you to live and work in one place. How does it fit you? Does this make you stressful or is it an asset in your life and work? It is definitely quite challenging as it is a big responsibility, but I always prefer to have an oversite and a full control of everything so I consider it to be a big asset for myself and for the hotel. My philosophy is that the key for the success of any project is to dedicate your full time and attention to it, especially during the early stages. By adhering to that

T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

seasonal operations. Subsequently, I received an acknowledgement by the owner of the property and was promoted to a higher position after only one working season, when I also met my current fiancé Marija, my huge support and the love of my life. Following the two years I have spent in Kotor, we both decided to expand our expertise and therefore sign a contract with Gorski Hotel & Spa on Kopaonik mountain in Serbia. It was a newly opened luxury ski resort with a completely different and new sales strategy where the winter season is highlighted. This has benefited my career a great deal since I have rounded up my experience in city hotels, sea resorts, and winter ski resort. After Kopaonik, I returned to Belgrade in order to take on the responsibility of the General Manager of Admiral Arena Hotel as well as the owner of H-CONSULTING agency. Finally, I gladly accepted my current General Manager position of the beautiful, newly opened Mövenpick Hotel Lalez in Durres, Albania where I enjoy spending time and creating success with my Team, backed by widespread support from the hotel owners.

Our hotel is the ideal address for travellers who enjoy the luxury experience, tailor-made service, and are inspired by the richness of Lalez Bay. For me personally, the property was a love at first sight since Mövenpick Lalez is a little piece of paradise and a perfect getaway from the crowded cities. It is located in the most beautiful part of the Adriatic coast and it is only 30km away from Tirana International Airport.

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“I Applied Immediately when I Heard About this Amazing Program and Its Opportunities” BY RUDINA HOXHA

Starting from the February issue, TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE will have the honor and the pleasure to interview current fellows of LEAD ALBANIA Program as well as LEAD Alumni fellows who are Leading the Future of Albania! TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE has decided to share them with you. It has been 9 years since the Albanian – American Development Foundation started LEAD ALBANIA Program, a journey at high leadership and decision making levels of state institutions in the country. February issue features Mr. Dritan Fino, LEAD Albania (2013-2014) – Host Institution: Ministry of Finance, actual position Chairman of Public Oversight Board (BMP) and Alba Brojka- actual Fellow, LEAD Albania 2021-2022, Advisor at Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

r. Dritan Fino, PhD, is currently Director of Financial Management, Control and Accounting Harmonization Directorate at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Albania. He has joined the Ministry since November 2013, as advisor at the Cabinet of the Minister, through LEAD Albania Program of year 2013. Mr. Fino has been lecturing since 2007 in different institutions in Albania and abroad (Japan, Switzerland, Slovenia, etc). His teaching and research areas relate to financial and management accounting, national and international standards of accounting, public finances, etc.

he earned the Master of Art’s degree in 2007, and a Ph.D. in Finance and Accounting in 2010.

Other important professional experiences include the engagements as the head of the Public Oversight Board of Statutory Auditors and Certified Accountants, since 2017 to present, head of the Qualification and Certification Commission of Public Internal Auditors, member of Civil Servant Recruitment Committee, etc. In 2002, he earned the bachelor degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Tirana. Since 2004, he followed graduate studies in Japan, and

In this context, it is a great pleasure for me to share and to talk about my role as chairman of Public Oversight Board (POB) and the results we’ve achieved, and about the impact this Program has had on my career developments in the recent years.

Mr. Fino, thank you for accepting our request for this interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE. Please can you tell us more about the Public Oversight Board (POB) of Statutory Auditors and your role at its head over the last five years? First of all, I would like to thank the initiators of the publication of this magazine for the opportunity provided to me to share with your readers and the public my experience and achievements of the prestigious LEAD Albania Program.

POB is an independent regulatory authority that exercises public oversight both directly, through the oversight of auditors and audit firms, and through oversight of the activity of the

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Dritan Fino:

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As a first result in 2018, we conducted for the first time 15 quality assurance missions on audit firms based on a new contemporary methodology based on risk assessment. During these activities, it was assessed the quality of the auditors’ work, procedures and policies in the engagements they undertake, particularly for public interest entities. Currently, this is a normal and consolidated annual activity of POB.

In the recent years, can be easily noted that a considerable progress has been made and a lot of effort have been put in improving the quality of audit services and its supervision in our country. The POB is established in 2009 by the law no. 10 091, dated 05.03.2009 “On the statutory audit, organization of the statutory auditor and certified accountant profession”, as amended, following the developments of the best practices worldwide. In its early years, the role and influence of this institution have been quite limited, due to several reasons such as lack of resources and capacities. As such, in order to strengthen and increase its role, the POB, in 2017, was reorganized based also on legal and sublegal amendments, reflecting the vision of the counterparts in the European Union institutions and the requirements of the respective EU Directive and Regulation. In this context, the newly established POB started work to draft and approve a whole new regulatory framework, starting from scratch, related to the functioning of POB’s supporting structure on quality assurance, revenue collection,

Also, based in these quality assessment and investigation activities, we have taken several disciplinary sanctions. Although this is not the primary focus of the POB activity, after the findings it was necessary to take these sanctions ranging from fines to suspension of licenses. It should be mentioned, that the sanctions were imposed only after a long process of awareness raising, since this was also something new.

for the first time in 2019 and currently, it serves as a reference for the market and is published every year.

Based on the results achieved, I can say that Albanian POB is now one of the most reputable institutions in the region, and its reputation is growing internationally. POB is a member of the community of International Forum of Independent Regulators (IFIAR) since 2010, and in 2018, noting the success of our work, we were selected to be part of the task force of Internationally Relevant Developments in Audit Markets (IRDAM), with 13 members (including Japan, US, Netherlands, France, etc), with the main objective to monitor relevant developments in the global audit market.

Furthermore, since 2019, POB has undertaken a reform with the aim to formalize the market of certified accounting services. This activity made possible the compliance of the certified accountants and professional accounting organizations with the legal requirement of membership, continuing professional development and a national register for the entities and other group of interests which previously were almost absent to the market. The consolidated register of certified accountants is easily accessible to all interested parties, ensuring, among other things, that the service of certified accountants is not provided by individuals or other unlicensed entities, or competing unfairly with regular practitioners.

An achievement of this reform was also the national ranking of sole practitioner auditors and audit firms based on the number of engagements and total revenues. This ranking was published

Achieving all these results was not without challenges. I would like to emphasize here that the challenges faced were enormous especially due to resistance to change from the interested parties. Despite the achievements and challenges, the effort to improve and enhance this profession and to harmonize it with the best international practices shall not stop. The work started has to continue taking into account the homologue institutions as well, which have the proper experience and have faced similar challenges during the implementation of these reforms in their countries.

It is worth mentioning that the new active role of POB was recognized at the time by the World Bank as well. They have invited us in several regional workshops (where such institutions still struggle to carry out their role), to present our case as a successful example. I would also like to mention that in the last two progress reports of country’s integration process in the European Union (EU), there are emphasized specifically the achievements of the POB activity.

What is your assessment about the actual situation of the 35

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investigation and discipline, etc. As a matter of fact, during this process we’ve had a great support and technical assistance from the World Bank.

professional organization of statutory auditors, focusing on the public interest, with the aim of ensuring reliable and transparent financial information. I would like to emphasize that sound and transparent financial reporting plays a key role in increasing the confidence of domestic and foreign investors, as an important criterion for encouraging investment, innovation and economic growth in the country.

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The accounting profession in Albania, in contrast to its history at the regional or global level, is considered relatively new, created and developed within these three decades, which coincide with the decades which have had a very dynamic development towards the history of the profession. Genesis of the accounting profession in Albania has its foundations in the period of maturity of the old tradition of the accounting profession on a global level. Consequently, the adaptation of the changes that took place globally made it even more difficult to approach the new practices and regulations that occurred in this profession, where the main objective was the supervision and regulation to avoid possible failures in the market in order to protect the public interest. Enforcement of legal provisions by practitioners of the accounting profession whether they are Statutory Auditors or Certified Accountants is

not only a legal obligation, but also a professional, ethical and moral obligation as the services they offer and their activity affects directly the culture and business environment or organizations in as a whole, but above all the users of the “product” of their work and consequently the general public in particular. One important ongoing challenge regarding the accounting and auditing profession, that still needs to be tackled, is the issue of the tariffs in order to avoid the competition process between professionals based on tariffs and not on quality. We expect that our focus on quality of the work of statutory auditors will orient them to compete not only through pricing, but through quality, experience, and capacity in performing accounting and auditing services. Today, although there is still more to be done, we can certainly say, that there is an increase in the awareness of auditors

with reporting. Currently, anyone who is interested or has the curiosity on any business financial numbers can easily access the set of financial statements compiled in accordance with legal requirements.

regarding the need to guarantee quality audit services, which comes as a result of a strengthened oversight process based on a risk analysis and a sound methodology in performing the audit quality to statutory audits. At the same time, with the strengthening of the role of the POB, we were faced with the fact that no single institution in the country had complete information about the exact number of Certified Accountants (CA). This fact further increased the need to face and solve the market problems of the CA and the provision of these services. In this regard, in cooperation with professional organizations, POB undertook the reform of formalizing the market of certified accounting services. The consolidated registers of certified accountants are currently publicly available, and can be used by other institution that need this information such as the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MFE), the Ministry of Justice, the National Business Center (NBC), the General Directorate of Taxes, and any other interested public including the general public. A new reporting system in the NBC, following the recent changes implemented with the same World Bank support to improve the quality of financial reporting, has had a very positive impact on this process, as this system requires the identification of the certified accountant engaged from any business, to compiling financial statements. There are many accountants and auditors who speak positively about the changes made that enables a fair completion between professionals and on the other hand, that entities cannot evade the legal obligations associated

- Public Oversight Board in Albania published for the first time the ranking of companies providing audit services for 2019. Can you walk us through the results please? As mentioned above, in 2019 the POB published for the first time the ranking in the Audit market for statutory auditors respectively, divided according to the form of organization, considering the volume of revenues from Audit services and the volume of the number of clients. Based on the analysis of the information available to POB, it is estimated that the entire audit market in the country circulates about 8 - 8,5 million euros per year. The publication of the ranking is the first of its kind in the 23 years that the accounting profession has existed. The importance of this ranking relates with the fact that for the first time the public and the interested parties were informed about the size of audit market and audit firms in Albania. At the same time, this ranking increased transparency between audit firms, which definitely will play a big role in improving competition in the market. Beside competition and other regulatory needs, this information is important for statistical purposes, as well as for students who are graduating on this field, etc. I can remember myself during

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statutory auditors and certified accountants in Albania?

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my PhD studies, when I struggled a lot to find some relevant statistical information about audit market in Albania, whereas such information for other countries was easily available. Since 2019, the ranking is being published every year serving as a reference to the market and making it possible for any interested parties to make the necessary analysis and decisions. Another important information published in the POBs annual reports is also the quantitative information of other services provided by statutory auditors / audit firms, which account for a significant share of their revenue. Other services include: security delivery commitments such as capital increase, merger and acquisition services, asset valuation, court expertise, preparation of financial statements, financial consulting, etc. The market size for these services is about 6.5 million euros per year. Meanwhile, in the future, the POB will

also publish the qualitative ranking of the audit firms and the statutory auditors engaged in the auditing of the public interest entities. This ranking will be based on the results of the quality assessments carried out during the activity of the POB, taking into account important factors such as the internal control structure of the audit firm/ statutory auditor, the nature of the deficiencies identified in the internal control system and in its audit files, as well as the number of the identified deficiencies in different aspects of the activity of audit firm/statutory auditors.

- How was your career developed until you chaired POB and what was the impact of the LEAD Albania Program in this regard? What motivated you to apply for this program? There were several reasons why I decided to apply for the Lead Albania Program. At that time, in 2013, I was working as a lecturer in Marin Barleti University. So, the professional career as a lecturer has given me the pleasure

Throughout my professional career, I have always worked hard to achieve the goals and to contribute in creating value for the organization, institution and the community that I was part of. As a financial accountant, I was very motivated to put in use my financial expertise to inform decision-makers, to advise departments within the institution, to maximize the effectiveness of the services to the public and to emphasize on ensuring value for money. On the other hand, the research during my PhD studies, which has resulted in writing, in my opinion, an interesting thesis about the advantages of implementing international accounting standards in developing countries, has given valuable recommendations especially for the case of Albania.

In 2015, I was appointed as the Director of the Harmonization Directorate for Financial Management, Control and Accounting in the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Since then, I have been part of other successful reforms regarding the improvement of the financial reporting of private and public sector entities, as well the implementation of modern financial, management and control systems in public entities. In 2017, I was appointed as chairman of POB, contributing directly in financial reporting, auditing, accounting areas to regulate the market for the accountants and auditors in our country, in order to protect the public interest.

Based on my previous experience and my desire to contribute at the higher levels of policy making in Albania, when I heard about this amazing Program and the opportunities it offered, I didn’t hesitate to apply immediately. As a result, after a rigorous selection process, I was selected as one of the fellows of the first cohort of this Program and became part of the cabinet of the Minister of Finance, as an adviser. During that period I have been involved in many reforms providing my contribution in several areas related to public finance management such as establishing effective internal control systems, the harmonization and successful

I also would like to emphasize that during the LEAD fellow year in 20132014, the program supported us with special trainings, workshops and seminars, that helped us to improve our management and leadership skills, which proved to be very valuable in the course of my career afterwards.

- Explain how the program aligned with your personal, academic, and professional interests. As I have mentioned above, I have conducted postgraduate studies in

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implementation of international best practices (international standards of accounting, auditing, etc.), reforms related to country’s integration in EU), etc, which would result in developing and implementing models to ensure a sustainable and necessary economic development for our country.

to give my contribution, and share my ideas and values on educating the new generations of Albanians professionals.

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The international accounting standards which ensure the provision of high quality information in both, private and public sector were being widely used. Adoption and implementation of these standards was essential for our country, as a way to achieve comparability, reliability and transparency in the reported financial information. Reforms in the field of accounting in our country, both in the private and public sector, have been closely linked and have run in parallel. However, while international accounting standards have been adopted and are being implemented in the private sector, in the public sector this process was lagged behind.

Japan, for a period of 6 years, and also I have carried out a qualification as an accountant certified in Japan, focused in financial reporting issues, for both private and public sector. In the time that I applied to this program, our country was facing a number of internal and external problems in its efforts to achieve progress in economic development plans. In this regard, as I mentioned financial reporting plays a very important role, through the presentation of realistic information ensuring that resources are distributed in their most productive use. Inadequate information provided by the accounting system impedes the ability to make decisions, disorienting efforts, misusing resources and resulting in economic losses. Therefore, establishing and having a sound accounting system in both private and public sectors should be a fundamental objective to support the economic development process with

The global crisis demonstrated that the public sector, like the private sector, needed high quality accounting standards. The public sector accounting system was largely cash based. Therefore, quality and transparent financial reporting is in the public interest, enabling improved decisionmaking, providing a clearer and more honest picture of financial performance, increasing budget control, improving fiscal stability and government accountability. In order to keep pace with economic and financial developments, as well as to increase budget control and transparency of public accounting, the transition to international accounting standards in the public sector, such as a modernization of public accounting, must be done as soon as possible. For

and economic growth of our country. Taking this opportunity, I would like to mention that, the project I initiated by the LEAD program, is currently being materialized. The Ministry of Finance and Economy has approved the Country Strategic Action Plan on implementing international accounting standards for public sector, and there are many concrete ongoing activities, that soon will provide the expected results, by improving the public sector accounting in Albania.

this, in my opinion, it was necessary to make an analysis of the gap that exists, to draft a new regulatory framework based on international standards, to introduce new computer programs that enable reporting according to these standards, and to start training the staff that deals with financial reporting. As noted in the private sector, the adoption of international standards presents many difficulties, so I wanted to give my contribution at the highest levels of reform, in the establishment of a solid planning framework, in the system change as well as in the large (significant) financial investment. Also, based on the experience of the private sector, a very big obstacle for successful implementation was the fact that in our country there were a significant lack of accountants, auditors, and financial analysts with the necessary knowledge on accounting standards. Therefore, there was a great need for training related to accounting, auditing and financial reporting according to these standards.

- Can you give a short overview of what you did through the LEAD ALBANIA Program and what recommendations would you make to colleagues and other aspiring LEAD fellows about it? It has been 9 years since the initiative of the Albanian – American Development Foundation (LEAD ALBANIA), started the journey at high leadership and decision-making levels of state institutions in the country. Although many may have been skeptical about this program, during all these years, the participants of the program have given a valuable contribution to the relevant institutions, and proved the importance of this Program. I would like to highlight here some areas where Lead fellows have impacted positive changes in the country through their direct contribution in several reforms in the country: in public finance management, in the justice reform, in the energy sector, in transport and infrastructure, in employment and social protection, in the modernization of administration and information technology, in foreign policy

As abovementioned, based on all these reasons, this program gave me the opportunity to lead many reforms in private and public sector, in financial reporting field, for which I am very interested and I have a lot of experience, national and international one. Through the reform and implementation of international accounting standards in the public sector, I am sure that we will have a higher transparency, comparability and accountability, which will lead to the desired levels of development

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reliable information.

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years old and a daughter 3 and half years old, which are in such age where I have to dedicate as much of my time as possible. In this context, I try to fully dedicate during the weekends qualitative times to my family trying to be totally disconnected from any work influence in their presence. We try to organize different activities in the weekends to visit different places, especially in nature, since my children are still very young and need space to play and stay away from indoor environments and technology, and in some small quite moments of the day I try to find some time for myself to read books or articles or engage in some other activities not related to my professional area.

- The Program doesn’t end when fellows return home! How do you keep in touch with the amazing things LEAD Albania Alumni does and the Program itself?

and European Integration, etc.

of this undertaking.

Specifically, during these years, I have been involved in the field of public finance management, as well accounting and auditing in private sector and public sector and I’ve been contributing directly in several legal reforms related to these areas.

Currently, many members of Lead Alumni continue to contribute at high levels in state institutions, such as the offices of the President, Ministers, public administration, while other members are engaged in professional activities, civil society, academia, etc.

During the fellow period, we faced a number of challenges. The first challenge was with our own self in changing and resizing. We faced the responsibility in front of the Government and the heads of the Institutions for the trust given by integrating us in their institutions, as well as in front of AADF and the LEAD Albania Program, which believed in us.

Given the contribution provided and the challenges faced, I feel proud of the results the fellows have achieved. The results have made LEAD Albania today an enviable brand by all, and participants are models of success wherever they operate. In this regard, I would like to invite all the aspiring LEAD fellows, who want to contribute in different fields in public or private sector and to develop their career according to their aspirations and education, to apply to this program and be part of it in the next periods.

I can remember the first time, when the Minister asked for my opinion on a specific issue, that I realized that this was a real thing and that my opinion would impact the decision of the Minister, and maybe a legal act and as a result, the public. It was at this moment that I realized the real importance and impact

It is an amazing journey with plenty of challenges, but also with opportunities for their own professional career as well the opportunity to contribute directly in

One of the amazing things of this program is the fact that you can get the chance to know a lot of bright and successful people which now are part of LEAD Alumni network. Most of this people are now my friends, whom I meet occasionally for fun as well for advices. Also the network itself which is getting larger, is taking a more formal role, and several activities are organized periodically. I could mention here several activities which have now become normal such as: the graduation ceremonies of LEAD Fellows, meetings in the end of the year, as well as other formal and informal activities organized by members of the network.

Taking into consideration all the above, I would like to emphasize that the support from my wife, the encouragement, inspiration, as well as filling my absence with my kids has been invaluable. At the same time, having the opportunity to make changes and contribute to improve the economy and welfare of the country where my kids are being grown up, no matter how small this contribution may be, and being able to make your kids and family proud about that, is a great driver in motivating me to keep working hard. I believe that every one of us must offer as much as possible of ourselves in order to transform Albania into a country with similar standards and wellbeing as the other European countries.

I believe that this increasing network of bright people can still contribute in the higher levels of policy-making, aiming to continually improve the quality of democracy, law enforcement, justice and the internal market in our country.

- How do you spend your free time? How much does your family motivate you? Finding the proper work-personal life balance remains a challenge. Definitely, my work takes considerable part of my time, which often makes it impossible for me dedicate the time I want to my two kids and my wife. I have a son 11

“You can get the chance to know a lot of bright and successful people which now are part of LEAD Alumni network”. 43

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policy making of the country. The fellows should definitely enjoy this opportunity and try to contribute and benefit as much as they can.

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Don’t Miss the IACA Courses in Affordable Fees and in Multiple Languages IACA’s students are mainly working professionals from all over the world, which helps in creating highly vibrant classes. -

programmes offered by IACA are:

The participants and students, who complete IACA’s programmes and courses, will join the global network of IACA Alumni, which is consisting of professionals (academics and practitioners) in anti-corruption and compliance.

• International Master in Anti-Corruption Compliance and Collective Action • Master in Anti-Corruption and Diplomacy • Master in Anti-Corruption Studies • Máster en Estudios Anticorrupción y Compliance (Spanish) • Post-Graduate Diploma in AntiCorruption Enforcement • Post-Graduate Certificate in Whistleblower Protection Systems and Techniques

nternational Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), located in Austria, offers various academic degree programmes relevant to anti-corruption and compliance. IACA has integrated various modern asynchronous and synchronous teaching methods into the programmes. They

offer a highly interactive self-study accompanied by instructor-led virtual and hybrid classes. IACA’s students are mainly working professionals from all over the world, which helps in creating highly vibrant classes. The current academic degree

IACA also offers various forms of scholarships for some of its programmes and online courses. It also offers various types of discounts, such as group registration discounts, discounts for specific countries, alumni discounts, and an early bird discount on the payable tuition fee of all academic programmes, valid until 15 May 2022.

IACA also offers instructor-led professional online courses, which are designed in a highly flexible manner and delivered in 3 to 6 weeks. They are offered in affordable fees and in multiple languages, such as English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian.

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Student start-ups prized after 100+ days of incubation programme with Tirana Inc.

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n February 17th, at the ‘Tonin Harapi’ Concert Hall in Tirana, 10 student start-up teams which have been part of the first Tirana Inc. pilot programme, got to pitch their business ideas in the final DEMO DAY. Their audience were EU and Member States Ambassadors, Minister of State for the Protection of Entrepreneurship, the Mayor of Tirana, university and private sector representatives, innovation ecosystem actors, friends and family. Tirana Inc. is an initiative of five Albanian universities (Polytechnic University of Tirana, Metropolitan University, Polis University, Epoka University, Faculty of Economy at the University of Tirana) in partnership

with the City of Tirana, established with the support of ‘EU for Innovation’ project, funded by the EU, the German and Swedish governments, with the aim to boost start-up creation and the strengthening of the Albanian innovation ecosystem. Tirana Inc. first and foremost serves the aim of supporting and empowering the aspiring entrepreneurs in Albania, with no limitation of the students/ researchers/ innovators and to help ambitious young entrepreneurs to kick-start their companies, through the participation in the 100+ days of incubation programme. Structured around the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and supported by experts in start-up entrepreneurship, pitching, customer discovery, financial modelling, and product development, Tirana Inc. is a unique programme’. A large community supported it: 25 mentors, 15 support partners and 4 sponsor companies from the private sector; they all offered a rare experience to young entrepreneurs and access to a vast network. The DEMO DAY on Thursday, marked the “graduation” of the student start-up teams, from the one-of-a-kind 12 weekincubation programme. An important part of the knowledge and skills that the young entrepreneurs obtained during the

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The Demo Day was the successful grand finale of the Tirana Inc. pilot programme, powered by ‘EU for Innovation’ and implemented by GIZ with the support of Preneurz.Amsterdam. The 1st multiuniversity incubator in Albania, strives to continue its support for ambitious student teams with great business ideas in the years to come and become the number one destination for young entrepreneurs aiming to kick-start their own companies.

under the umbrella of the European Delegation to Albania and encouraged its future sustainability. Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj wrapped his speech around the opportunities and possibilities that will arise for youngsters in the year 2022 with Tirana European Capital of Youth.

programme is the ability to effectively communicate their business ideas to potential investors and other interested stakeholders. EU Ambassador, Luigi Soreca, present in the event, stated: “The joint efforts of member states under the umbrella of the EU for Innovation’ multi-donor action, have helped greatly in the establishing of Tirana Tirana Inc. A project which couldn’t be more in the interest of the up-andcoming Albanian youth, also grasping the fabulous opportunity given by Tirana European Youth Capital 2022 to share visions, to present talents, to meet other people and to be engaged.” Speaking as one of the members of Team Europe, German Ambassador,

Peter Zingraf affirmed that Tirana Inc. is a shining example of the major progress that has been achieved in the innovation and start-up ecosystem since 2018, and with the support of the capacity development provided by GIZ in Albania as implementers of the ‘EU for Innovation’ project. Swedish Ambassador Elsa Håstad focused on the great representation of female founders among the 10 pitching start-ups of Tirana Inc. and called for more female entrepreneurs, more women in tech, more women in STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) to boost inclusive economic growth in Albania. Lastly, Dutch Ambassador Reinout Vos concluded that Tirana Inc. marks an excellent example of knowledge being transferred by a Team Europe approach together with excellent local partners

While Minister of State for the Protection of Entrepreneurship, Edona Bilali referred once more to the commitment of the Albanian government towards the support of start-ups & innovation ecosystem. From the 10 presenting student start-ups (City Med, Click Home, Diabetic Digital Albanian App, Artsopolis Academy & Dada, Rentnow, ThreeSixty, Bite in Bytes, MeFol, Healthy Mind, Utopia Tiny House and I-Move Taxi), the experts jury awarded the top-three startups: RentNow, Bite in Bytes, ClickHome, with money prizes of respectively 2500 Euros, sponsored by Albtelecom, 1500 Euros, provided by Credins Bank and 1000 Euros including a workspace, given by Tirana Business Park.

Livestream: https://fb.watch/

bebmFM3TDx/ Video: https://youtu.be/ETvC-_7OAkQ Websites: https://euforinnovation.al/ ;

https://www.tirana-inc.al/

Other prizes providing mentoring and consultancy, workspace, tickets to international conferences and technical tools, were handed to the start-ups by partners of Tirana Inc. and ecosystem actors such as Business Magazine, InnoSpace Tirana, INNVEST, Cloud 68, Coolab, PwC Albania & Kosovo etc.

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Entrance Exam - “Initial Program for Notary Candidates”

leanScore is a project undertaken by the AlbanianAmerican Development Foundation (AADF), consisting of two important components for higher

education in Albania: The automated evaluation of student assessments. The translation of international academic textbooks.

CleanScore aims to become a framework in higher education agendas, by capturing most of the student base. Since its start as a pilot project in 2016, CleanScore has challenged the status quo and surpassed every expectation. CleanScore has shown that when integrity, transparency, quality, and efficiency are applied in student assessments, a magnitude of positive tangible and intangible occurrences happen. From enhanced student trust, normalization of grade distribution, reduction of grading time to overall non-partisan assessment, CleanScore has the foresight to become an indispensable tool. CleanScore now operates in 10 offices nationwide that cover test scoring for 79% of students in higher education in Albania. An office coordinator is situated at each office in partner universities and assists professors on the process of automated testing assessments (design, delivery, scoring). So far 13 institutes of higher education, both public and private, have signed the agreement for the implementation of the CleanScore project. Over 148,000 university students’ exams have been scored through CleanScore up to date. CleanScore partner institutions:

in Albanian called LibRe. This platform will increase student’s accessibility to textbooks, reduce book costs for students and minimize the photocopying phenomena. The AADF and CleanScore have finalized the agreement and are financing the subscription in the digital library JSTOR for partner state universities. Through this enormous digital platform, academic staff and students will be able to explore many fields of study. To encourage students to develop their skills on writing scientific research papers, CleanScore has launched a national research competition. It will take place twice a year. During this competition JSTOR will be the main resource of references. This subscription will give the students the opportunity to access millions of articles, science magazines, books in the field of: art, human science, business and technology, sustainable development, cultural heritage, ecology and botany, etc.

CleanScore has built and will soon launch the first Digital Book Platform

E D U C AT I O N

CleanScore Project Surpasses Every Expectation

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Winners of second Scientific Research Paper Competition Every office coordinator has a different background and experience but combined together as a team they manage to give maximum results and meet the project goals. CLEANSCORE STAFF Sokol Ymeri Project Manager for Education Sokol Ymeri graduated in Computer Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Tirana. He has over 15-years of experience in the public and private sector, in education policy development, project planning and management, information systems management, integration and innovation of technology solutions. He previously worked at the Albanian Telegraphic Agency where was also promoted as Technical Director, worked as ICT Consultant for private companies and for 6 years served as the Head of the Technology Unit at the Ministry of Education and Sport. He has been for several years a member of the Administration Council of the Polytechnic University of Tirana. 52

Enrik Keco holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in governance and public policy, and has specialized in European Union Politics and Diplomacy. He has a combined work experience of 6 years in the public and private sector. Enrik has worked as a project manager in the field of research, leading one of the components of the TAP project. Further, he worked as a Development and Good Governance Policy Expert in the Council of Ministers. He is deeply involved in the local community demonstrated by his active participation in organizations that serve the Albanian youth population with a mission on their integration in politics and economics.

Gerta Dervishi Office Coordinator for University of Tirana – CleanScore Project. Gerta Dervishi holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Informatics. During her studies she attended a 1-year exchange program “Erasmus Mundus’ at Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Romania. Gerta has continued her master studies at University “St. Climent Ohridski” in Sofia, Bulgaria for “Electronic Business”. She has 3 years of work experience in the private sector in the field of IT and marketing. Gerta is a volunteer member of several international organizations, such as the WBAA (Western Balkan Alumni Association), EESTEC (Electrical Engineering Students’ European Association).

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Enrik Keco Project Coordinator for Education

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Sabina Molla has graduated in Telecommunications Engineering and also successfully completed master’s in information technology at the Polytechnic University of Tirana. After her studies she started working as a technical support agent in an American IT Service Provider Company. Within 9 Months she was promoted to become the IT Helpdesk Manager, a role that she successfully accomplished for 3 years.

Mirela Parangoni Office Coordinator for University of Tirana – CleanScore Project. Mirela Parangoni has over 7 years of experience in the education sector in Albania. Mirela is a graduate of the University of Tirana, Faculty of History, and holds a Second Level Master in History from the University of Tirana. She worked in teaching at different high schools and frequently participated in the administration of State Matura exams.

Henri Dosku Office Coordinator for Agriculture University of Tirana – CleanScore Project.

Marsel Kikino Office Coordinator for University “Eqerem Çabej” Gjirokastër - CleanScore Project

Henri Dosku successfully graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Information communication technologies at university of Tirana. After finishing his studies and several experiences, started working as an office coordinator at AADF. In addition to his full time job, he also volunteers as a project coordinator for IT related at “Hapesira Kulturore Uzina”, which he is a founder of, a grassroot movement and a safe place for young people of Tirana.

Marsel Kikino graduated in Economic Science at the National and Kapodistrian of Athens. He has 5-year experience in the private sector, in the field of tourism. Marsel worked as general manager of Kodra Hotel & Restaurant Group. He has implemented technological systems in the framework of improving the hotel sector in the city of Gjirokastra. In 2018, he created the company SmartTech in the sector of electronic devices, which he sold in March 2020. He believes that the improvement of the Education sector is the base for the development of the country.

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Office Coordinator for University “Aleksandë Moisiu” Durrës – CleanScore Project.

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Sabire Hoxha Office Coordinator for University of Medicine, Tirana – CleanScore Project.

Skevi Paralloj Office Coordinator for University “Aleksandër Xhuvani” Elbasan - CleanScore Project

Sabire Hoxha holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Business Administration from University of Tirana. After completing her studies, she joined the biggest company in communication in Albania “Vodafone Albania” and within 3 years she was promoted to the position of sales agent. During 2021 she took a degree in the Python programming language.

Skevi Paralloj has graduated from Aleksandër Xhuvani University, Faculty of Economics with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and with a master’s degree in Master of Science in Marketing combining it with one semester conducted in Poland at Cracow University of Economics in International Business. He has more than 6 years of work experience in the private sector as an Advertising Manager and General Manager. He is passionate about Graphic Design, E-commerce, and Marketing.

Holta Bimbli Office Coordinator for “Fan S. Noli” University of Korça - CleanScore Project

Hysmir Idrizi Office Coordinator for University “Luigj Gurakuqi” Shkodër - CleanScore Project

Holta Bimbli graduated from “Aristotle University of Thessaloniki” and holds a Business Economic degree. Holta has 5 years of various working experiences, related to Accounting and Management. She worked in the accounting and banking sector, before taking the position of Account Manager of a construction company located in Doha, Qatar. Holta has been part of several youth projects, such as Youth in Action Programme by Erasmus+ and AIESEC AUTH.

Hysmir Idrizi holds an LLM (Master of Laws) in International and Commercial Law. Hysmir is an excellent law graduate student at the University of New York Tirana, with a GPA of 3.9. Hysmir has worked as a sales manager and as a coach for Vodafone Albania for 5 years, whose duties and responsibilities had been to maintain a high level of good customer evaluation of the mark and an excellent level of professionalism of the staff.

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LEAD Albania Program, a Unique Opportunity that Offers Unique Insights BY RUDINA HOXHA

leadership and decision making levels of state institutions in the country. February issue features Mr. Dritan Fino, LEAD Albania (2013-2014) – Host Institution: Ministry of Finance, actual position Chairman of Public Oversight Board (BMP) and Alba Brojka- actual Fellow, LEAD Albania 2021-2022, Advisor at Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Could you tell us what you found transformational about your learning experience in the LEAD Albania Program? Well, I have started my journey with LEAD Albania just few months ago, hence I believe there is way more to come. Our schedules as Advisers in the cabinet tend to be quite busy, but LEAD Albania is already keeping us busier with frequent trainings and networking opportunities. This is just the beginning, and we are all looking forward to the spring courses in Harvard and in Brussels. - In your position as an Advisor in the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs,

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

ALBA BROJKA:

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which aspect of the LEAD Albania Program did you find most helpful? How has this contributed to your leadership development milestones? Being an Adviser and having to work in a public institution is not an easy job. I had this feeling since the very first interview in the selection process for LEAD Albania. I asked specifically if the program would support us along the way. I am glad that this is the case and I am highly appreciative of the periodical talks and the mentorship system. My approach is that there is opportunity and there is growth in every challenge that might come forward. Whereas about my leadership milestones, I consider this experience as a must to any position and work that I will be doing in the near and long future.

It is a unique opportunity that offers unique insights which are extremely useful. The saying goes that the sky is the limit, I tend to believe that our universe is the limit. I am still shaping and defining my milestones as I build on every professional and personal journey. You have been involved with the UN Security Council as well during this experience. Please can you tell us what were the takeaways? My experience at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs couldn’t be timed better. As you are aware, Albania will hold a seat at the most influential room in the world during 2022-2024, the UN Security Council. I have been honored to have served as a Special Representative on Youth and Security during Albania’s Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2020, and

“My experience at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs couldn’t be timed better”

now I have had the pleasure to work with the UN Security Council Department in the Ministry through the LEAD program. It is not only a unique opportunity, but also a great professional experience to work with a department where you can contribute on a daily basis to shaping diplomatic relations. It is a great responsibility and honor to contribute to your country in one of its key moments of Foreign Policy. - Has the LEAD Albania Program helped you embrace new leadership approaches that you would like to follow or refer? Leadership is a process,

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Hmm it is too early to tell, but I have a colorful puzzle of memories from all the moments that we as LEAD IX class have. The class is a real treasure from the point of view of skills, knowledge, characters and experience. We are getting so close to each other that is impossible to spend time together and not have long discussions or bursts of laughter.

and I like to think of it as a never ending one. We are always improving ourselves and sharpening our skills and knowledge. With LEAD Albania and its training opportunities I am personally exploring my leadership potential, understanding my weaknesses and working to improve them. Going through this process and knowing that you have someone by your side is the best leadership approach that I can think of. - What are some of the challenges you have faced as a woman in leadership, and how has this program changed your perspective? Well, I would say that I have faced more challenges as a young woman rather than just as a woman. In many

work environments I have felt double discrimination as my knowledge and skills were not regarded as highly to other colleagues, due to my young age and being a woman in usually men dominated environments. I have had to argue and be stubborn about my ideas and proposals. Being selected in this program has served as a “certificate of guarantee” that I have gone through a rigorous and meritocratic process which saves me from all the wasted energy in proving myself as a professional and expert. - Can you share any memorable episode from this experience?

Alba Brojka is one of the 11 Fellows of Cohort 9 of LEAD Albania Program who was selected last October. She holds a Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy of the EU from the post-graduate institute College of Europe. She has graduated in political science from the University of New York Tirana and in law from the University of Tirana. Alba has gained a vast experience in democracy assistance by working with organizations such as European Endowment for Democracy, OSCE/ ODIHR election observation mission in Albania, National Democratic Institute Albania, and other national civil society organizations. Alba has held the mandate of the Special Representative on Youth and Security during the Slovak and Albanian Chairmanship of the OSCE (2019-2020). She has volunteered and contributed to numerous civic and youth initiatives in Albania such as increasing the capacities and supporting the consolidation of the UN Youth Association Albania, while serving as its Director of Projects and later as its Secretary General. Ms. Brojka has contributed as guest lecturer and member of panels on different topics related to European integration, youth and gender mainstreaming and security issues. Host Institution: Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

- What’s another interest of yours, outside of your work (something we might be surprised to learn about you)? Well, I have too many interests for the little time I have and I always wish my days to be 48h instead of 24h. I like to read a lot and emerge into philosophy and literature, or get lost in the most recent books about political thinking. I also am a very sportive person. I have been hiking for almost 6 years now and in 2021 I hiked the highest mountain in Turkey, Mount Ararat 5137m above the sea level. I am definitely looking at my next challenge. And finally, though a diplomat by academic background and professional experience, I cannot give up from my long-time passion, kick boxing. - Would you recommend the LEAD Albania Program to other emerging leaders and why? I would surely do so. This is a very unique experience to experience the public administration in Albania for any professional and emerging leader. In addition, the program gives you the opportunity to be in a position which has access to policy and decision making. I guess, this is the dream job of every professional.

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“JAA Job ShadowLeader for a day” 2021 JAA inspires and empowers young people to succeed in the local and global markets.

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icking up where we left in the December edition of Trailblazing Magazine, presenting Junior Achievement of Albania mission and activities, we bring a close view to one of their public events, “Leader for a day/ Job Shadowing” a leader on the clock during a usual or not working day.

research, get, and keep a job and develop innovative personal strategies to achieve lifelong learning pursuits and career opportunities; all by learning and practicing concepts of career clusters, personal and professional interests, job interviews, CV and resume, job required skills, work-readiness skills etc.

“Leader for a day” event is the celebration of the achievements after e full year of one of the JAA elective modules in high schools in Albania with the same name. Designed as an elective module, the program meets the needs of a diverse group of high schools’ students by providing engaging, academically enriching, and experiential learning sessions in work-readiness education and career perspectives.

Every year since 2013, Junior Achievement of Albania has given to interested students the opportunity to closely connect them with real life leaders in the private and public sector. “Leader for a day” culminates with a celebration in a ceremony where JAA students are accompanied from the leader they spent the working day with, and share experiences and prospective of their path. This is the practical application of concepts and principles they learn though the school year in the elective JAA module. Since 2013 there are more than 450 JAA students from 200 high schools across the country who have had this exceptional experience.

Following the program, students are enabled to identify and demonstrate the work-readiness skills needed to

In late December 2021, 25 student leaders from JA high schools in Albania, had the rare and unique opportunity to shadow a real business leader in his/ her work day and get a sense of what it means to lead, to manage, to direct, and to take everyday decisions responsibly. JAA students spend an entire day beside prominent leaders and follow the work

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process up close, learning first-hand some of the complexities that come with this engaging role. Prime Minister of Albania, Mayor of Tirana and the Minister of State for Children and Youth of Albania, Co-CEOs of the Albanian-American Development Foundation, and 21 executives and high managers of banking institutions, telecommunication, trading and marketing agencies and education institutions were shadowed during their day from a JAA students.

an inspiration for their professional path. Asked what were they taking home from this experience their most common impression was getting to know closely successful and highly responsible professionals, amazed from their communication and collaboration skills, impressed from the team’s dynamics and leadership problem solving in tight situations, humanity and respect to their staff and teams were the most hitting leadership skills to young students. These amazing 25 young prominent students are well aware that it takes so much longer than to shadow a leader in a day, to become one themselves, but hard work, diligence, investing in oneself,

And enriching experience for both hosting leaders and JAA students, the real protagonists of the event are the students to whom this day will serve as

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passion and commitments on what they love does! This was the leitmotif of the words that Tirana Mayor Mr. Veliaj, Minister of Children and Youth Mrs. Muzhaqi, President of American Chambre of Commerce Mr. Jaco, and Mr. Mata Co-Executive Director of the AADF addressed to the young JAA students. Mr. Mata passed to all them a strong message of encouragement and support in the course of an unusual time of their lives “Keep it up, and never give up your dreams”!

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D I P L O M AC Y

FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:

Ambassador of Albania to Bulgaria, H.E. Donika Hoxha

Let me Tell You About Mandritsa… BY RUDINA HOXHA

1. Your Excellency, Ambassador Hoxha, can you throw more light on the bilateral relations between Albania and Bulgaria? How have you seen the trend of these relations since your appointment in this role in 2018? What needs to be improved in your view? The diplomatic relations between Albania and Bulgaria were established in April 1913 and on 10 October 1922, Konstadin Boshniak presented his Letters of Credence as Head of Albanian Legation in Sofia. In March 1954, Albania and Bulgaria raised their diplomatic representation to the level of Embassies. From the early 60s onward the Embassies of our two countries were headed by Charges d`affaires and on 25th of January 1988, an agreement was concluded for an exchange of Ambassadors. Relations between Albania and Bulgaria have long traditions and the contacts between our people are good and intensive. The bilateral Treaty for Friendship and Cooperation provides

the legal basis for the contemporary development of our relations. Bilateral relations have evolved substantially in recent years and high-level contacts are being regularly maintained. The last 3 years have marked exchanges at the highest level. President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev paid a state visit to Tirana in March 2020, Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama visited Sofia in June of 2021. Additionally, there have been visits in Sofia and Tirana at the level of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Negotiator, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Minister of Culture and others at various levels and fields. Also, several agreements have been concluded that will strengthen our relations and enhance ties between our administrations. Albania and Bulgaria are two friendly countries, which are getting to know each other more. We share understanding and values in the context of EU, NATO, UN and more. Building human bridges is not a simple mission, but my team and I have somehow succeeded in making Albania more known for our Bulgarian friends and also Bulgaria has become more familiar to Albanians in recent years. Still, more is needed to be done and we are here for that. One of the aspects that I would like to highlight are economic relations. There is still an untapped potential. Both Albanian and Bulgarian companies need to refocus their activity and address more to the regional market. I have been able to explore and discover the

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mbassador of Albania to Bulgaria, H.E. Donika Hoxha comes in the February issue of TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE with an exclusive interview talking about the bilateral relations between Albania and Bulgaria from A to Z. The bilateral relations between the two countries are expected to know new heights in many aspects thanks even to the establishment of the direct flight line between Tirana and Sofia, hopefully in 2022.

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There is strong growth in software development, technical support, and business process outsourcing. The Information Technology (IT) and back office outsourcing sectors have attracted a number of US and European companies to Bulgaria and many have

established global and regional service centers in the country. The automotive sector has also attracted US and foreign investors in recent years. In this regard, I would greatly suggest the Albanian companies and economic entities to choose Bulgaria as e potential business partner and market to expand their activity and offer opportunities to expand in Albania.

Cooperation in the field of education and culture reflects the good ties between our universities and in the joint research programs. At the University of Sofia “St. Clement Ohridski”, within the Department of the Balkan Studies, there is an exemplary Albanian language cathedra and more than 60 students learn Albanian language, literature and culture every year.

2. What are the strongest points of the cooperation between our two countries? Our relations are characterized by a strong will for further development in all areas such as economy, tourism, innovation, trade, digitalization, culture etc. The political dialogue, build on the traditional friendship as well as the historical, cultural, and human bonds between our two peoples and countries, is excellent and witnesses by the steadily increase of exchange of visits, which has shown the unwavering support of Bulgaria towards Albanian`s European path. There are no open or pending issues between our countries. Relations and exchanges in the economic and infrastructure sectors are further developing buliding up efforts to carry out the geostrategical Project of Corridor VIII, showing readiness to set up a bilateral working group on energy matters and explore possibilities of cooperation in the field of oil and natural gas sector, promoting cooperation between the two state agencies on foreign investment development, exchanging experiences on start-ups and inovations, cooperating in the field of tourism, textile and garments industry.

Certainly, tourism sector is one of the strongest points of our cooperation. Last year, there were several charter flights from Sofia to Albania with Bulgarian tourists and hopefully 2022 will see the establishment of the direct flight line between our two capitals.

as cybercrime. We have an excellent cooperation within INTERPOL, EUROPOL and SELEC and have managed to successfully finalize joint international actions. 3. What is the stance of Bulgaria towards Albania’s EU membership? During the Presidency of European Union Council in 2018, Bulgaria was successful to put back into the European agenda the enlargement perspective of the Western Balkans. In the first half of 2018, Bulgaria turned out to be one of the biggest lobbyists of the Western Balkans and still remains one, despite the ongoing dispute with North Macedonia. Bulgaria has reaffirmed its positive position for Albania on the meeting of the General Affairs Council and during the exchange of high level visits. Regretfully, Albania’s EU path has been linked to that of North Macedonia and this mean that the dispute between Bulgaria and North Macedonia has resulted in Albania failing to progress to the first intergovernmental meeting with the EU, marking the formal start of negotiations, despite getting the green light from all 27 member states. Though, Bulgarian officials have repeatedly stated that each country should be assessed according to its own achieved merits and Albania is ready to technically start membership negotiations with the European Union.

Albania and Bulgaria have a very good ongoing cooperation among our institutions in the investigation of criminal offenses for narcotics, illegal trafficking, money laundering, economic and financial crime, as well

We are grateful for the multifaceted assistance that Bulgaria has provided in the reform processes we are going through.

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needs of the Bulgarian market which continues to be seen by foreign investors as an attractive low-cost investment destination with government incentives for new investment opportunities. Bulgaria offers some of the least expensive labor in the European Union as well as low and flat corporate and income taxes. There are no legal limits on foreign ownership or control of firms. With some exceptions, foreign entities are given the same treatment as national firms and their investments are not screened or otherwise restricted.

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Not to forget boza drink, which we can find either in Bulgaria or Albania. The town of Radomir, which has historically been famous for boza production since the second half of the 19th century, even today celebrates the first producer of boza who is of Albanian origin. The Albanian Ali Serbez and his son are considered the first boza producers from Albania, leaving behind a valuable asset to the city of Radomir.

4. How has the cultural heritage contributed to bring the two countries closer? What is the role of Albanian Diaspora in Bulgaria in this aspect? What I have realized during my stay in Bulgaria is that we share more commonalities than we are aware of. We have always been very friendly nations as I already mention with a long history to share. But it is very interesting to discover certain habits like nodding for No and shaking our head for Yes. Also, the wonderful historic architecture, reminiscent of the Ottoman architecture, is found in both countries. Arbanasi, a beautiful town close by Veliko Tarnovo, was founded by Albanians has a similar architecture style as Gjirokastra and Berat, an Albanian city and UNESCO site.

Mandritsa, the only Albanian village in Bulgaria, was founded in 1636 by Albanian Orthodox dairies who had served in the Ottoman army. They were allowed to occupy a piece of land and were exempt from paying taxes. Mandritsa was liberated from Ottoman rule on October 15, 1912, during the First Balkan War by units of the First Bulgarian Army, but was reconquered by the Ottomans during the Second Balkan War. Under the Treaty of Constantinople, the village passed to Bulgaria. At the beginning of the 20th century, the village reached about 3500 inhabitants, while today Mandritsa is a small village with about 70 inhabitants, some of whom still speak a pronounced Albanian dialect, Tosk Albanian. However, despite the barriers they have had over the years, the remaining inhabitants of the village of Mandritsa, most of whom are elderly,

As to the Albanian diaspora in Bulgaria, it is a very small community compared to other countries in the region, but is a bridge to connect our people and countries. Generally, Albanian diaspora in Bulgaria is connected with Mandritsa, the only Albanian-origin village in Bulgaria. Nowadays, students are keeping the spirit of our diaspora in Bulgaria and their number is slightly increasing year by year. This is a positive approach to study in the region and in friendly country, which welcomes warmly Albanian students.

have managed to preserve the old Albanian language and proudly display their origins, without neglecting Albanian culture and tradition. One of the smallest cultural habits I came across in Bulgaria is Martenitsa bracelet. This long held Bulgarian tradition involves people giving loved ones bracelets of red and white yarn at the start of the month of March i.e. at the start of spring. The bracelet’s colors represent vitality and purity and indicate a wish for the wearer to be healthy for the coming year. Likewise in Albania, on March 1, many children, girls and women but also men wear a similar two-tone white and red bracelet, called “verore”.

5. If you had to describe bilateral economic relations in a few words, what would you say about trade and investment? Bulgaria is a traditional economic partner of Albania and according to the National Business Register (QKB), as of June 2021, 59 Bulgarian companies are registered in our country, of which 37 are with 100%

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Some of them put it on the 1st and take it off on the 14th of March just as there are others who put it on the 14th of March which is our “Summer Day” and take it off when they see the first swallow.

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leading role as a financial intermediary and be a major supporter of customers and the country’s economy in general.

In 2019 and 2020, FDI stock from Bulgaria was 534.9 million Euros and 535.9 million Euros, while FDI flow was 11.9 million Euros in 2019 and 8.2 million Euros in 2020.

6. Tourism is a very important sector for the economies of both Bulgaria and Albania. What do you think the Bulgarians would like to feel even better in Albanian resorts? Indeed, tourism is one of the most vital sectors for both countries and the exchange of tourists has shown increase despite the pandemic and the restrictions in force. In 2019, Albania was the fastest growing tourist market for Bulgarian citizens marking an increase

The biggest Bulgarian investment in Albania, One Communication, is a good model to attract other investments and companies. Fibank has also consolidated its position as the fastest growing bank in Albania. It will continue to play its

Yet, it appears to be untapped potential for profitable economic ties for both countries. We need to explore greater opportunities and be successful in exploiting the potential of regional cooperation if we hope to keep our young people at home and to attract others to our community.

of 34.5% in the number of tourists compared to 2018.

This is an attraction not only to Bulgarian tourists.

In the first 9 months of 2021, the number of Bulgarian citizens who visited Albania was 16,558. This has been a positive indicator given the restrictions and measures taken under the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the number of Albanians who visited Bulgaria was 11,989. We emphasize that this statistic includes only Albanian citizens, travelling from Albania and not from other countries.

7. Looking ahead in time, what major events can we expect in bilateral cooperation in 2022? Surely there are new agreements in progress which will be concluded. The re-establishment of the direct regularly flights Tirana-Sofia will be a real achievement. In August of last year, GullivAir, a Bulgarian airline company, planned to launch seasonal direct flights, but due to the Covid-19 restrictions in both countries the plan was postponed. In the beginning of 2022, we are working closely with GullivAir and Tirana airport authorities to conclude successfully this task. The direct flight will boost our economic relations as well as our dynamic tourist ties. Also, soon are to be held the diplomatic consultations between the two ministries of foreign affairs, which will be a great opportunity to elaborate and identify new ways of cooperation and fields of common interests.

Albania is a favored destinations for Bulgarians, who remained loyal to this choice in 2020 and 2021 despite the pandemic Covid-19 measures imposed even during the summer season. Bulgarians are familiar with and like Albanian traditions and food, but mostly they prefer the beauty and the charms of our seaside. I expect that this summer more Bulgarians will enjoy our fascinating beaches. Food in Albania is delicious and flavorful which make you realize that eating can be a real celebration. 500 years under the Ottoman Empire have surely left their imprints in our identity. Communism did even worse. But we’ve made a lot of progress since 1991 and recently we are trying to evolve in food as well and reconnect it to our identity. Nowadays, Albanian cuisine is very rich and it is a unique blend of various Mediterranean flavors where really east meets west. pure mixture of various, multicultural Mediterranean gastronomy.

“We are working closely with GullivAir and Tirana airport.” 75

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Bulgarian capital. Bulgarian businesses operate mainly in Tirana and Durrës, with activities in the field of electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply, wholesale and retail trade, repair of vehicles and motorcycles, professional, scientific and technical activities etc. In 2019, the trade volume of exchanges with Bulgaria was worth 95 million Euros, of which imports were worth 66.7 million Euros, while exports were worth 28.6 million Euros.

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BY ROBERT BOLE

Managing Director, Chair of the Digital Practice Group The Signal Group, Washington DC rbolepdx@gmail.com +1 301-832-2770

should focus on building a start-up culture based in innovation and problemsolving where knowledge, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation are positioned as driving forces of employer growth and job creation.

ver the past several years I have become an admirer of Albania after a chance encounter with Tirana’s energetic mayor, Erion Veliaj. I was impressed by his vision of Tirana as a sustainable community driven by civic innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. As the former general manager of CityLab, a publication focused on the development of cities, Tirana seemed to be making all the right moves to take its place on the world stage as an up-andcoming city for the future. However, the more I looked at Tirana I also realized that it is a microcosm of a country on the move. Albania has more visitors coming every year to experience your mountains, beaches, cuisine, and culture. How Albania tells the story to attract investors, companies, and entrepreneurs to fuel the next generation of Albania innovation and problem-solving is its next challenge.

Attracting and investing in innovationbased entrepreneurs currently account for a small share of the economy but have an outsized role in developing Albania’s economic outlook. Entrepreneurs accelerate innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. Technology-based start-ups have the intention of growing beyond a few employees, unlike most other small businesses. They contribute higher wages and increase productivity over other types of businesses. Innovation entrepreneurs quickly look beyond their community and even borders in serving customers, contributing to building strong economic relationships. Nurturing start-up culture matches the national character of Albania. In my recent travels I met dozens of young, thoughtful, and accomplished leaders and could easily imagine them running startups in Silicon Valley, London or Berlin. Then I was blown away by seeing a thousand more of them at Tumo, a youth education and innovation center in Tirana. It rivaled any facility I have seen anywhere in the world.

There is a strong argument that Albania

There are two challenges for Albania in convincing people to invest in or launch their innovation business. The first is convincing

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The TWO Challenges of Albania Versus Innovation

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young Albanian entrepreneurs to remain in their country to start their business, or to come back from abroad. The second is convincing outside investors that Albania’s innovation cluster will yield similar returns, over time, that they are seeing in other European countries.

result. Startups themselves benefit from these interactions with corporations, gaining feedback and perhaps chances to pilot their products. The time is now for corporate and community leaders to reach out to entrepreneurs at home and abroad, go and meet them in their lab spaces, regularly invite them into your board rooms, and build strong, lasting relationships that are key to a dynamic start-up culture. Albania is recognized for its amazing natural beauty, from Its wild mountains and canyons to the north and sunny beaches to the south, and its cuisine, wines, and culture. The true its people, the energetic and ambitious who are shaping the future of the country. Albania has a fantastic story to tell that it is a country poised for success in the 21st

century. To ensure that success it needs to embrace, nurture, and promote its entrepreneurs and innovators.

While there are key foundational issues that investors and entrepreneurs ask - will they have access to capital and markets? Is there enough of a talent pipeline? – there is an equally important condition: does Albania

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value and nurture entrepreneurs? When I was at CityLab, we looked at the best practices that accelerated a start-up culture. We found ten key practices that significantly contributed to building a strong foundation. These practices include the quality and breadth of the mentor and support networks, accessibility of incubators and maker spaces, and the role of universities. In particular I would urge the Albanian’s successful corporate leaders to consider is how they engage and support entrepreneurs. A new product, an acquisition or an improved practice can come from interacting with entrepreneurs developing new innovations. Many companies see startups as a source of information about how industries are changing and how corporate strategy should change as a

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JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE VISIT ALBANIA

VISIT ALBANIA

The last Secret of Europe: With 100 Motorbikers to Albania 7 DAYS „CROSSING BORDERS, LINKING CULTURES“ BY MARTINA ROZOK Director of Communcations, PKF hospitality group

his is the motto of Eurobikers, an association of motorbikers who, at the beginning of this millennium, set themselves destinations once a year for a one-week tour to places to which they would not otherwise travel. So in 2003 the first tour led from Berlin to St. Petersburg. Further destinations included Chernobyl, Romania, Bulgaria and... Albania! Wednesday, May 30, 2007: We are on our way to Albania, at the eastern border to Macedonia. In Prrenjas, the last village on the pass road before Lake Ohrid, we stop, and our nine motorbikers are immediately the center of interest of

the population. Thanks to our Albanianspeaking companions, we quickly answer the many questions about where we are coming from and where we are going. The inhabitants saw us on TV the night before and therefore knew about this fifth Eurobiker tour, which will lead about 100 motorbikers to the country at the Mediterranean Sea that was a white spot on the map for many of us until now. Yesterday our motorbike parade was enthusiastically received in the capital, Tirana. It was the first of its kind ever in Albania. Flashback: Just four days ago, on the Saturday before Whitsun, we started

and the German consul general, the most beautiful part of the coastal road Jadranska Magistrale lies ahead of us, the Makarska Riviera. Towards evening in Dubrovnik - after a reception by representatives of the city and the local motorbike club - we enjoy the old town, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

in Villach, Austria. The 100 or so motorbikers, mostly from Germany, set off here for the last secret of Europe! Part of the group comes by car train, others ride over the Alps. After the start event on the market square, we are quickly over the Wurzen Pass in Slovenia and continue in 12 small groups. The ride over the Vrsic saddle and through the Triglav National Park is a special experience. Via Rijeka we reach the Mediterranean Sea in Croatia and experience for the first time the motto for the coming days: The sea is always on the right. After an overnight stay in Karlobag and a reception on Sunday noon in Split with the mayor

Monday morning, rainwear is the order of the day. As we enter the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, lightning twitches from the dark sky. We wait in a small, cozy wood-paneled pub at the ferry dock. The time invested pays off. A short time later, we enjoy the fjord-like bay with its beautiful places and Unesco World

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VISIT ALBANIA

Heritage status from above without rain. During the more than 100 years of Austrian rule, parts of the Imperial and Royal Navy were stationed here. Who still knows that the Alpine countries once had the sixth largest navy in the world? In the meantime, in the city of Kotor, the official reception for the Eurobikers by the Montenegrin parliamentary president takes place. My group reaches the over 2,000-year-old fortified city a little later. In the alleys of the medieval old town of Kotor with small stores and cozy coffee houses we stroll and enjoy the ambience. Most of the Eurobiker groups take the short way from here towards the stage destination because of the low-hanging clouds. We are not deterred by the view upwards, however, and our patience pays off once again. The old Austrian military road leads with countless serpentines, from sea level to the 1,749-meter-high Lovcen. Again and again, the road offers

breathtaking views of the Bay of Kotor and the surrounding black mountains of Montenegro. At the top of Lovcen we visit the mausoleum of Petrovic Njego, a philosopher, poet prince and spiritual leader who was also king of Montenegro from 1830 to 1851. At the hotel in Ulcinj, more motorbiker friends join us. We are just before the border to Albania. For weeks the Eurotour is topic number 1 in the Balkan internet forums. A motorbiker meeting scene - as in the rest of Europe – only exists here in rudiments. Therefore the meeting of motorbikers from Kosovo with exiled Albanians and Kosovars from Switzerland and Germany is exciting. One of them is Buki, who has been with us since Villach. He speaks seven (!) languages fluently and makes clear to us Central Europeans connections that we have never thought about. Buki is of Albanian descent and

Passing the Mother Teresa Airport and crossing the highway, which is completely closed for us, we reach the capital of Albania. Our Albanian motorbiker friends are full of enthusiasm. Passing ministries and authorities, we drive from the central Skanderbeg Square to the square in front of the Academy of Arts. Here we are warmly welcomed by a large crowd and more TV cameras. In the evening, at the restaurant “Villa Toscana” at the gates of the capital, in addition to good food and drink, the deputy prime minister Gazmend Oketa accompanied by other cabinet colleagues await us. A popular Albanian band ensures a good atmosphere. The “Eagles of the Road” from Tirana and from Kosovo are together and celebrate the whole evening.

On Tuesday morning, shortly after the start in Ulcinj, we are standing at the Albanian border. Above the road, a banner signals: “Welcome Eurobiker” and the tourist office distributes bags with maps and brochures on the country’s sights. The inscription on the bags reads “Albania, the last Secret ...”. We are also expected by motorbike friends from the Albanian capital Tirana. The Eurobikers fulfill here again their statutory goal “Crossing borders, linking cultures”: The two clubs from Albania and Kosovo riding along from here had had no contact with each other before, and only by chance had the same name – “Shqiponjat e Rrugeve” – which translates to “Eagles of the Road”. In convoy we drive the short distance to Shkoder. After the steep ascent we visit the fortress of Rozafa, which, according to legend, was founded 4,000 years ago. No less than three television teams interview and film us to report on the large unusual group of visitors. Across the city with protection by the police we reach the hospital. Here our trucks with

Wednesday morning the Eurobikers split up. Most of the participants ride to the youth facility of the Don Bosco Mission in Tirana. The motorbikers are enthusiastically welcomed by children and young people, and a check with donations of 8,000 euros is handed over. The rest of the day’s route leads to interesting tourist destinations: to Berat, the city of 1,000 windows, to the archaeological site of Appolonia, and finally to the evening destination of Vlore on the Mediterranean Sea. Here the motorbikers and trucks from Germany are expected at the regional hospital

VISIT ALBANIA

donations from Germany are already waiting. Together with the motorbikers from Albania and Kosovo we are welcomed and unload the trucks. In the large group we then drive to Tirana.

was born in Kosovo. Growing up six kilometers from the border, he was never allowed to travel to Albania. So he went first to Italy and later to Switzerland. Once again, the special strength of the Eurobikers with their tours “Crossing borders, linking cultures” becomes apparent: The motorbike is not only a vehicle for getting around, it also builds emotional bridges and brings people together. Nationality doesn’t matter, you immediately have common ground. Kosovars? Swiss? Germans? Albanians? Doesn’t matter.

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and hand over the second half of the collected donations. My own and two other teams, reinforced by some Swiss Kosovars, choose the great road over the Krraba Pass towards Lake Ohrid as an alternative to the cultural route. The pass spoils us, not only with endless combinations of curves, but also with impressive views of the Albanian mountains. Even our Swiss are overwhelmed. Via the old connecting road between Rome and Constantinople, the Via Egnatia, we quickly head towards Lake Ohrid. In Prrenjas, the last village before the pass road, we stop with our motorbikers... and say goodbye to the

Kosovars. We realize the importance of the common tour especially for our motorbike friends in this part of Europe. Buki thanks me with an Albanian saying that is used when we have experienced something beautiful together. He says: “You gave me a piece of life”. Our way continues to Lake Ohrid. The view of the lake from the pass road above is breathtaking. The blue reveals itself curve by curve in its vastness. Lake Ohrid lies at an altitude of 700 meters. It is one of the oldest (two million years old!) and deepest lakes in the world and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. During an extended lunch break with a wide

view of the lake and the Macedonian mountains opposite, we treat ourselves to an excellent fish dinner in an “open air” restaurant right on the shore. Back on the former Via Egnatia, our group reaches the stage town of Vlore on the Adriatic coast. Thursday morning spoils us again with the best weather and most beautiful small roads directly above the Ionian Sea. In the high mountains are over 100 kilometers of curves, passes, winding and often ”hunchback” roads... and always beautiful views of the sea. Some take the opportunity to bathe at lonely beaches. In the afternoon, culture is in store, as we visit Butrint - an ancient city that has not yet been fully excavated and has the

status of Unesco World Heritage Site. With an adventurous ferry ride – on barrels and without railings – we get across the channel of Butrint. On this shore we continue to the newly opened border crossing to Greece. It is not far now to the Greek ferry port of Igoumenitsa, the last stop of the Eurotour. On Friday at 7:30 a.m. the embarkation on the ferry to Venice begins. We relax the whole day on board and our eyes follow the coast of this now not so unknown country for a long time. PS: The bag with the inscription “Albania, the last Secret…” is now hanging in an apartment in Berlin. A wonderful memory of a unique, eventful tour with many new impressions and friendships.

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………………… All of us have some knowledge when it comes to precious gems, so we know that to find one you really need to seek for it. And to seek for it you have to travel to the highest, furthest, steepest altitude. The further you dig in, the more precious the gem. Baba Can was the “crystal” we sought after and waited for us on its own threshold, in Geghysen. Locals know that to meet Baba Can, to catch a glimpse of his magic, get charged and dwell on his noble energy, you need to reach his tower, where he will be waiting for you full of love and wisdom. Baba Can carries 82 years of life over his shoulders. He lives alone and full of youth. His home, where he has thrust his roots, was built in 1912. This house has seen 6 generations grown and Baba Can belongs to the fourth generation. With his own bare hands, he reconstructed the house on 1978, and he did not forget to mark with white paint the top of the window this important date, which apparently symbolizes Baba Can’s eternal connection with his tower. Baba Can was an only child. Today he has a couple of years over his shoulders, but you can plainly see that his relationship with youth is just as strong as the relation he has with the longgoing history of his roots. “Pleqnin s’po du hiç me m’ardh” (which in the Albanian Geg dialect means “I

BY FABJOLA ARAPI

*EXPERT OF MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

he end of last September found me in my journey as a mentor of “In the Village” project alongside with my favorite team “The Mountains”, a project financed by the German Government and implemented by SRD/GIZ. The team included newly graduated students, others about to be graduated and some others still going through the halls of the faculty. All of us left for Tropoja Mountains. Our trip took a big emotional turn as soon as we arrived in Geghysen, Tropoja, on that mountain slope, where the horizon had no horizon and the greening of Chestnut Hill

embraced the bluish sky elegantly in every side of it, strongly conveying the love and the freedom of the nature. At Chestnut Hill, amidst the nature, the clean air and the chirping birds, we would meet two young brothers, Ermal and Geri, who had left the ex-Bllok area in Tirana for the Chestnut Hill in Geghysen. They had chosen this place where the most powerful treasures of the nature of Albanian Mountains are hidden, such as Ponari Lake and the Point of the Pillar which fail to hide the histories and the deeds of the Point of Irons (Maja e

Hekurave). Above Geghysen, at the field of Velisht, we could spot the city of Bajram Curri and after the extended foot of Shkëlzen Mountain, even though far in the horizon, we could see the Albanian regions of Kosovo. But our journey could not end here, we continued the path to the Geghysen grove, between the Meadow and the Forest of Chestnuts to reach a house over 100 years old. Built in 1912, and to this day six generations had grown up there, the oldest in age but the youngest in spirit. Babe Can opened the doors of the house and we sat excitedly in his yard to learn the story, but there we learned about life. He was very happy with our visit, he baptized us with the name “the saplings of his yard”. Enxhi, the poet of the mountain team, decided to pour a poetic

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“The Crystal” Waiting at the Doorstep….

writing about the “crystal” that was waiting for us at the doorstep.

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don’t want the old age to arrive at all”) – he says happily, surrounded by 12 people, still on the first steps of their life, that had barely anything to say and a lot to listen and experience. He reserved the same passion for love, even though youth and love go hand-inhand. This is what makes Baba Can such a dear gem. “Une kam 11 vite pa shoqe jete” (It’s been 11 years that I don’t have my companion) – expressed the highlander in tears when he talked about the loss of his wife. We felt the pain, but we also felt the happiness while listening to the 48 years of marriage that went along without a single fight, “Çart e qef”… …remembering his married years full of passion while stimulating love to us. Hasan Hyseni never accepted the title as

the old man of the town of Geghysen, but to everyone he is deserving of the title “The Head of Nobility”. ëhe stood seated as the first chairman, with a lit cigarette on his hand, as a shaman of sapience, inspiring us to love and cherish life and home every day. He still plows the field, takes care of his tower, washes and cleanses while never compromising to leave the country, not even for his kids. “Edhe me plastmas të më marrin, të më lidhin, nuk më çojnë dot jashtë” – he said, which translated means that even if tied up, no one would be able to obligate him to leave the country. On the other hand, Baba Can felt very happy that we were there too. His eyes would smile and he would not get tired of watching us all, one by one, on the

We all laughed. He escorted us one by one to the front door of his tower, and as we left, his hand didn’t stop waving (I don’t know for how long) goodbye to us from a distance. ………………… Meeting Baba Can was a turning point. There is where the beauty of the nature intertwined with the human beauty, and the great souls that filled us with inspiring emotions every day. I hope that this writing was as moving for you as it was for us to get to know him and remembering to this day the words and feelings he made us experience.

apple of our eyes. “Oh, what flowers came to adorn my garden” – he said, “Today’s youth is much better because they know how to live life. I love them, I stand by them. Each of them guards their own secret”. Baba Can enjoyed his life and nature as his soul commanded. This might be his secret. We were there for a few brief minutes but we felt like we spent a lifetime with our friend. This was due to his openmindedness, his culture and his sense of humor. By the end, we asked him if we could take a group picture? “Obviously” – he said.

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A lover of outdoors, Rizvan Kurti has designed and manufactured the Funky Cabins. A winner of EU Challenge Fund, he made it by expanding his innovative concept. Thanks to this Fund, the current operations of Funky Cabins were increased fourth times more.

Go for Funky Cabins BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

I N N OVAT I O N I N T O U R I S M

DO YOU WANT TO TRY THE TRILL OF CAMPING WITH THE COMFORT OF A HOTEL ROOM?

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FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:

accommodation spots. So, we thought that we could finally kick off a concept of high-end camping in Albania, as was the trend elsewhere in the world.

How did you come up with the idea of building an innovative concept like the Funky Cabins? What inspired you to invent that concept? There were two reasons why we started the funky cabins. First, I love the outdoors. I went camping all the time, hiked, and really had a passion for living in the open. However, camping has always been somewhat of a deterrent in terms of comfort. When the pandemic started, we were becoming aware that more and more people wanted to go outside but among themselves, not in crowded areas in the typical

What does the Funky Cabins concept offer? The Funky Cabin combines the thrill of camping with the comfort of a hotel room. The current models are an obvious improvement from the first prototype. The cabins now have heating and cooling. And their own silent power generators. The design is 100% proprietary. This means that we design and manufacture our own cabins. They all come with integrated

How crucial was the support of EU Challenge Fund? Did it cover only funding or even know-how or other aspects? The Challenge Fund grant allowed us to 4x our current operations. We are now able to accommodate 13 cabins (up to 40 people) at the same time per location. We received the grant as well as legal and operational know how.

4G Wireless internet. Most importantly, different from glamping, we can take the cabin anywhere, no matter how remote the location. Lastly, the toilet. Each cabin comes with its own toilet. It is entirely designed by us as well. It is selfsustainable and it doesn’t need links to the city’s sewage system. How much does one night at Funky Cabins cost? Are they available throughout the year? Any special packages? One night starts from 40-50 euros, including breakfast and cabin décor. Dinner and outdoor activities are optional, and available.

“The Funky Cabin combines the thrill of camping with the comfort of a hotel room.”

What markets are you looking for the Funky Cabins? Mainly couples, young individuals, working nomads, remote lifestylers, and with disposable income of middle-upper middle.

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What are the development plans for the Funky Cabins? Do you intend to expand this concept? We plan to open 5 static locations in Albania to accommodate for beach, snow, lake, forest, and urban landscapes. We plan to expand by 10-12 cabins each season.

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A R T/ C U LT U R E

PÁTRIA LUSA

Proud of Portugal’s Azulejos BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

He reveals why his tiles are different from the others and resistant to time while said that his clients are mostly Europeans as well as Americans and Russians settled down in Portugal. “Locally most of our clients are foreigners that buy real estate in Portugal and want something “very portuguese” of high quality in their home,” Abecassis said.

“Our inspiration came from the desire to revitalize the Portuguese national heritage and treasure which otherwise would have been lost forever. Working with antique and irregular tiles is a big challenge but the end result is worthwhile.” Mr. Ricardo Abecassis, Founder and CEO of PATRIALUSA.COM, a 100 % Portuguese art furniture brand, says in an exclusive interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

Full interview below:

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6. What comes next for you and your company? Once we deplete our current collection of tiles, we will simply transit to the next collection that we are currently searching for from north to south of Portugal.

1. Please can you tell us more about your company, PÁTRIA LUSA - Portuguese Home Decor and how did you create it? PÁTRIA LUSA (https://patrialusa.com/) is an Art Furniture brand of robust 100% Portuguese made indoor and outdoor tables created in 2017. Portugal has a strong heritage in blue and white tiles called Azulejos. Many grand buildings from churches to noble estates were torn down over the years holding valuable 17 and 18 century tiles. The art varies from countryside vegetation to religion. Since such reclaimed art was recovered mostly in the form of loose pieces from panels that were mostly partially destroyed, we decided to bring them back to life in the form of a mosaic married with intemporal contemporary designs. 2. In your view, what makes your products so unique? What are the main characteristics of

these tiles which make them so invaluable? These tables are unique and each piece is original. No two tables are ever the same. The production process of these handmade, hand-painted tiles is also very different to traditional tile tables. All pieces are weather proof and powder coated anticorrosive. In order to protect the tiles, we use flexible materials. This increases their resistance allowing them to last for generations. 3. Which design trends are currently inspiring your work? Who or what would you state as your biggest inspiration? Our inspiration came from the desire to revitalize the Portuguese national heritage and treasure which otherwise would have been lost forever. Working with antique and irregular tiles is a big challenge but the end result is worthwhile. Our tables are

made exclusively from these existing collections which we purchase from tile dealers around the country. We are also happy to make custom designs with theses tiles or any other art ideas presented to us. Our primary objective is to use up our collections but we can hand paint any theme, old or modern. 4. Can you talk us through the process of taking a design and adapting it for the 18th century Azulejo tiles? Do you have a process for choosing which colors will feature in your designs? Currently our color choices are determined by the Portuguese traditional Azulejo tile that is typically blue and white or blue however tones of yellow, brown, green and purple are also used. 5. What are your major clients and from what countries mostly? Most of our clients thus far are from Europe. We sell and ship directly to the end user. We have so far shipped pieces to the UK, Spain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Finland. Locally most of our clients are foreigners that buy real estate in Portugal and

“Our inspiration came from the desire to revitalize the Portuguese national heritage” 97

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want something “very portuguese” of high quality in their home. Locally we are finding that beyond Europeans both Russians and Americans love our product for their local homes here. We do ship worldwide fully insured.

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“Such an initiative fits very well with the current situation by going to the customers if the customers cannot come to us.”

etc.) is done by the Chinese side.

of the past and dreams of the future outbound trips in the form of regional products, all coming with a certificate of their regional origin, “NOT Made in China”.

The contract partner for the European companies is COTRI. COTRI is also providing a free CTT video training about the Chinese online market and monthly free newsletters and a free Zoom Q&A meetings to answer questions. Main products will be food&beverages, arts&crafts, textiles, toys, souvenir items, etc. as long as they are made in the region.

To make this possible, COTRI China Outbound Tourism Research Institute, based in Hamburg / Germany, has partnered with O Plus, a Finnish-Chinese company. O+ MALL is a sales App offered by O Plus, which sells products with a regional connection in China. O+ MALL has a growing customer base of currently more than six million customers. Main target groups are affluent Chinese consumers, who travelled in the past internationally or plan to or dream about doing so in the post-pandemic future.

About this project, TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE talked with the CEO of COTRI China Outbound Tourism Research Institute in Hamburg, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt. FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:

1. Can you tell us more about the project COTRI has started to support European SMEs and various European destinations to stay in touch with the Chinese market? What are the stakeholders involved and what kind of benefits does this project offer to Europe? COTRI China Outbound Tourism Research Institute, based in Hamburg / Germany, has started a very good project to support European SMEs, attractions and European destinations to stay in touch with the Chinese market.

European SMEs to sell to China.

COTRI’s partner is a Finnish-Chinese company based in Tampere, which has established a Sales App especially for products Not Made in China with a regional connection produced by

The good news is that the European side has nothing to do other than to agree on which products for which net price will be offered, all the rest (transportation, customs, health certificates, storage in bonded warehouse, marketing, sales,

Main target group are affluent Chinese consumers, who travelled in the past to Europe or plan to or dream about doing so in the post-pandemic future.

This can help also smaller destinations in Europe and SMEs producing regional products to keep in touch with China and to gain new interest and customers without a big budget, indeed with earning money instead.

2.To what extend does the European SMEs wish to participate in this project? Are they from tourism field as well?

Chinese tourists have a growing interest in regional, authentic products, from wine to arts and crafts, from sausages to hand-woven textiles and toys. However, two years ago China’s borders closed after the first COVID-19 cases were reported, and still there is no clear end in sight for the re-opening of the borders and the restart of China’s outbound tourism. Here is some good news to start the New Year: If the visitors cannot come to us, we can sell to them in China memories

The idea to combine regional products and tourism marketing is not new, but still effective. Therefore, on the one hand, producers of regional food and beverages, arts and crafts, toys, decorations, jewelry etc. are offered a simple and safe way to sell in China and the regional and national tourism destination marketing organisations can combine the interest for regional

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EUROPEAN CHINESE TRADE RELATIONS IN POST-PANDEMIC TIMES

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products with interest for the region by providing touristic information in Chinese either with a QR code attached to the goods or with printed information etc. If the DMOs have their own merchandise, they can also become a member of O+MALL and sell it in their own name. Unfortunately, most of DMO merchandise like caps, cups or fridge magnets are Made in China and do not qualify.

3. What would be the influence of this project on the economic development of Europe? In short term, it helps companies and regions which are dependent on income from tourism to survive in times of CoViD-19. In longer term, it will bring more Chinese visitors and customers to Europe. O+MALL will also be useful to combine online and offline, for instance to sell the wine from a wine-tasting tour in the Balkans afterwards to the Chinese participants who want to re-stock exactly the same wine to share the experience with their friends when they are back home in China.

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We have already started to talk to our colleagues in Albania and we are happy to welcome both suppliers as well as tourism marketing organisations to the project. They can become members in their own name or they can work with our Albanian partners to collect products from honey to raki to traditional costumes and hand-knitted sweaters. The Balkan countries are indeed a good example for offers of products and destinations which are well fitting with the interest of Chinese for new experiences but have not got enough exposure yet in the market. The O+MALL App helps here without the need of a big budget.

5. Tell us more about COTRI’s operational involvement in this project. COTRI has been working since almost 20 years in helping companies and destinations outside of China to make Chinese visitors happy and to earn some money in the process. We do online and offline trainings and consulting based on the concept of Meaningful Tourism, which means quality and good experiences for guests, host communities, staff working in the industry, service providers, governments and protection of the environment. We have been working in the past with the experts from Oplus, who are based in Finland and in China. They have the experience, the bonded warehouse,

the sales, marketing and logictics infrastructure and an App which has already six million regular users. COTRI is the main partner of Oplus especially for the connection between regional products and regional tourism promotion. We are the contract partner for European companies for the membership and offer additional exclusive services free of charge to our members, including a free online training a free monthly newsletter and a free monthly Zoom call for Q&A. COTRI can also offer to use the specific customers for products from a region to conduct market research on behalf of members among those Chinese who are really interested in the region.

right to send back any item within seven days with a full refund. Starbucks cafés and Heineken beer and Ritter Sport chocolate are available everywhere in China and most Chinese who travelled to Europe have visited the Eiffel Tower. However, the Chinese had two years time to gather information about all kind of “exotic” goods and places, they are eager for new things not available in China while incarcerated inside China and will be more interested than ever to visit new places they learned about during the pandemic after it ends.

6. How would you describe the e-commerce in China? With the pandemic, how has it evolved ? China has more than one billion active mobile internet users, who are used to buy everything online and also pay from their AliPay or WechatPay mobile accounts. The annual turnover for online sales reached two trillion USD last year. People will buy even their groceries for the dinner online while commuting from work to home, finding the bag with their ordered goods hanging at their doorknob when arriving. During the pandemic this strong trend developed even further as contactless online shopping and payment was supported by the government and many people had no other choice while in lockdown. In China, consumers have the

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt

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4. Do you project to expand this project in the Balkans, Albania as well?

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For Our Guests At Sacher Everything is Possible BY RUDINA HOXHA

oritz Karlhuber got the fourth place in the AICR competition where he represented the Hotel Sacher Vienna. After that rewarding news, Karlhuber shares with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE his impressions and the lessons he has learned all the way through.

The AICR (Amicale Internationale des Sous Directeurs et Chefs de Réception des Grand Hôtels) was founded in 1964 on the Côte d’Azur in France by the Chefs de Réception of several famous Grand Hotels. Over the past more than 50 years has developed into an international organisation represented in 17 countries and continuing to grow. Hotel Sacher Vienna is one of the most luxuruous and esquisite hotels in Austria, representing the highest caliber of service standards. FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:

your success?

1. How do you feel after being awarded fourth in the AICR competition - “Austria’s Best Receptionist”? To whom do you attribute this award? First of all, it was a great honor for me to represent Hotel Sacher Vienna at this year’s AICR Awards. It is a great competition with fantastic competitors from other hotels. I am very happy about my participation, as well as about the 4th place, because it was possible to meet and exchange ideas with many new colleagues from the same industry. Since I have been at the front desk for not too long, I owe the participation as well as the 4th place to my colleagues and supervisors from the front office as well as the concierge team. The front office team has integrated me wonderfully into the team and the Sacher family since day 1 and taught me the essential activities, for which I am more than grateful.

2 To what extent is the Sacher Hotel part of

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The Hotel Sacher Vienna is largely involved in this, as I was nominated and had the opportunity to represent the Hotel Sacher Vienna in this great competition. Basically, I was able to improve my personal skills, to go above and beyond for our national and international guests at the hotel, as a great emphasis is placed on the development as well as training of all employees.

3. In your view, what makes an outstanding receptionist like you? In my opinion, a good receptionist is characterized by qualities such as organizational talent, reliability and enthusiasm, as well as being true to oneself. But you can’t do it without being a team player, because as a team you can master any challenge. The beauty of the tourism industry is that everyone approaches situations individually and in their own way. There is not just one right way to reach a goal. At Sacher, we want to enchant our

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Moritz Karlhuber:

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4. Tell me about your customer service experience. What is your experience dealing with international guests when special circumstances arise? Especially in the metropolis of Vienna, in a five-star Superior Hotel, the expectations of national and

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guests and try to cater to their individual needs as best as possible, to make their stay with us special!

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international guests are very high. Every day there are tasks and challenges to overcome, definitely we try to exceed the expectations of our guests. Since our international guests have different preferences, it is rewarding to convince them of service quality and customer service of the Austrian tourism industry, as well as to cater to all their wishes. Of course, there are always special circumstances, but from a young age,

there was always a statement stuck in my head: For our guests, everything is possible. This is my motto of every day’s work. 5. How do you prioritise your job and the other issues you must address immediately? How essential is the ability to be multitasking? This is often not so easy, but after a while you develop a little more sensitivity, which problem needs to be solved more urgently. Basically, the hotel guests always have priority, and you try to

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deal with their concerns as quickly as possible. The ability to handle several tasks at once helps enormously. As a receptionist, you often must do several things at once, such as taking reservations of all kinds, handing out room keys to guests, while keeping an eye on the phone and the next check-in is already waiting. In the end, you are a host who recognizes the wishes and needs of your guests or knows about them, to make their stay as pleasant as possible.

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AV I AT I O N

SWISS

further raises travel comfort with innovative new cabin

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Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is adopting the innovative ‘Airspace’ cabin concept for its Airbus A320neo family fleet. The advanced new cabin will provide travellers with a substantially enhanced air travel experience on SWISS short- and medium-haul routes. The new Airspace cabin features larger overhead baggage bins that offer some 40 per cent more volume than their conventional counterparts. The new

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bins can accommodate bigger baggage items up to 61 x 40 x 25 centimetres. They also hold up to four such carry-on cases (instead of the present three) by enabling these to be stowed vertically in the bin. The new Airspace cabin further boasts an advanced lighting system whose ‘Human Centric Lighting’ can be aligned to travellers’ biorhythms: depending on the time of day or night, the system will bathe the cabin in varying types of light that range from warm reds through graduated intermediate tones all the way to cooler blue hues. Seating comfort has been further enhanced, too, with the slimmer cabin sidewalls offering more space, especially at shoulder height. The modern-design washrooms are even easier to use for travellers with disabilities, and have also been specifically equipped with antimicrobial surfaces to provide even better hygiene protection. “As a premium air carrier, we continue to strive to offer our customers the highest possible quality standards, even

in the present crisis times,” explains SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Tamur Goudarzi Pour. “And Airbus’s advanced and innovative new Airspace cabin concept for our short-haul travellers is making a key contribution to all these endeavours. We are truly pleased to be able to offer our customers even greater inflight comfort, in the form of more space for their carry-on baggage and a new lighting concept that is specifically tailored to their biorhythm needs.”

The aircraft will be deployed throughout SWISS’s European route network. The first commercial flight of a SWISS Airbus A320neo with the new Airspace cabin is scheduled for late January.

First flight this month The first SWISS Airbus A320neo equipped with the new Airspace cabin was delivered at the beginning of last January. Aircraft HB-JDD has been named ‘Elm’ after the Swiss alpine village which is home to the ‘SWISS Altitude 1150’ mineral water that the airline serves on board. HB-JDE, a further Airbus A320neo which was delivered a few days later and which bears the name ‘Mürren’, is also equipped with the advanced new Airspace cabin.

SWISS has now taken delivery of five new Airbus A320neo and two new Airbus A321neo aircraft. The remaining 18 Airbus A32Xneos on order – twelve A320neos and six A321neos – will join the SWISS fleet between now and 2025. The ‘neos’ (which stands for new engine option) are replacing older SWISS aircraft of the Airbus A320 family and, with their innovative and more fuel-efficient engines, are helping to substantially further enhance SWISS’s environmental credentials. You can experience a virtual tour of the new cabin with Head of SWISS Brand Experience Caroline Drischel here. Source: SWISS Newsroom

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AV I AT I O N

WISS is adopting the innovative ‘Airspace’ cabin concept for its aircraft of the Airbus A320neo family to offer its passengers a tangibly enhanced air travel experience on its short- and mediumhaul routes. Key features of the new cabin concept include substantially larger overhead bins, an advanced lighting system that can be aligned to human biorhythms and enhanced seating comfort. The first two SWISS Airbus A320neos equipped with the new Airspace cabin will enter revenue service this month.

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IN BRIEF

DUTCH START-UP COMPANY TO LAUNCH NIGHT TRAIN SERVICE TO PRAGUE IN SPRING A new night train that will link several cities across the European Union will start operating during spring. The new night train service, which was launched by a Dutch start-up company, will stop in 12 different European cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, and Prague, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. The sleeper train, now named as European Sleeper, will start its journey in Brussels after 7 pm, and then will make stops in Antwerp, Roosendaal, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Hanover, Berlin, Dresden, Bad Schandau, Děčín, and Ústí nad Labem. Apart from all the stops mentioned, the European Sleeper will make its last stop in Prague by 10 am. Read more on the link below: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/dutch-start-up-company-to-launch-nighttrain-service-to-prague-in-spring/

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2. This selection by TOPHOTELDESIGN features the best projects that opened their doors in 2021. They are diverse, but key characteristics were taken into consideration when selecting the winners. For more, please read at the link below: https://tophotel.news/design-showcase-top-five-projects-of-2021/ Courtesy of tophotel.news

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‘FATHER OF TIRAMISU’ ADO CAMPEOL DIES AGED 93 Restaurateur Ado Campeol, dubbed “the father of Tiramisu” by Italian media, has died aged 93. Campeol was the owner of Le Beccherie, a restaurant in Treviso in northern Italy where the famous dessert was concocted by his wife and a chef. The dish, featuring coffee-soaked biscuits and mascarpone, was added to their menu in 1972 but never patented by the family. It has since become a staple of Italian cuisine, adapted by chefs worldwide. There have been long-running disputes about… Read the story at the link below: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59103658 Courtesy of BBC.

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4 ROBOT SERVERS USED IN A RESTAURANT BUT HUMANS ARE CRUCIAL Amy, Ella, Will, and Josh work in a restaurant as servers. They bring food to tables, interact with guests, and from time to time, they roll away to recharge their batteries. All four of them are robots, and they’re the main attraction at Robotazia, a restaurant in Milton Keynes, UK. Even so, Robotazia’s owners, Joy Gittens and Mark Swannell, told Insider they’d never replace all their human servers with machines, because …. Read the full story at the link below: https://www.businessinsider.com/robot-restaurant-owners-never-replace-human-servers-withmachines-2021-12 Courtesy of Business Insider

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DORCHESTER COLLECTION’S FIRST HOTEL IN MIDDLE EAST WILL ARRIVE IN 2022 Hotel group Dorchester Collection and real estate development group Omniyat have joined forces to create a new luxury hotel named The Lana. The 225-room destination will open in Q4 2022 in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa district inside a 30-storey tower designed by architects Foster + Partners. Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection, said: “The Lana is one of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2022, given its incredible design-led credentials in a superb location in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.

ROLLS-ROYCE: COVID HAS SPURRED RECORD SALES OF OUR CARS By RobDavies

“We’re looking forward to bringing Dorchester Collection’s renowned brand of luxury hospitality combined with Omniyat’s real estate vision to a new region that’s home to so many of our guests around the world.”

Covid-19 spurred wealthy motorists to buy more Rolls-Royces than ever before because it made them realise life is short, the luxury carmaker said on Monday. As global cases escalated in 2021, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, based in Goodwood, West Sussex, booked the highest annual sales in its 117-year history, selling 5,586 vehicles. The company’s chief executive, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, said the pandemic had led to customers, whose average age was 43, responding to the reminder of their own mortality by splashing out on luxury cars. “Many people witnessed people in their community …

Read the full article in the link below: https://www.spabusiness.com/wellness-news/Dorchester-Collections-first-hotel-in-Middle-East-willarrive-in-2022/348988

Read the full article at the link below: https://www.msn.com/en-xl/money/tech-and-science/rolls-royce-covid-has-spurred-record-sales-ofour-cars/ar-AASE9js?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531

Courtesy of spabusiness.com

Courtesy of The Guardian.

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Isra e li Di p lom ats, Ce le b ri ti es Joi n K i d s w i th D i s a bi li ti es for ‘ Up si d e D o wn’ E x h i b i t

THE PROJECT IS THE BRAINCHILD OF AMBASSADOR DAN ORYAN, THE DIRECTOR OF THE MINISTRY’S BALKAN DEPARTMENT AND A CERTIFIED GYMNASTICS COACH.

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sraeli Foreign Ministry photo series marking Disability Awareness month was displayed last December while it will tour around the world including Albania in collaboration with the local partnership. The Israeli Foreign Ministry, together with Israeli singers, Olympians, and politicians, started this event since last December with the inauguration of a special photo exhibition to mark Israel’s Disability Awareness Month and the International Day of Disabled Persons.

The Upside Down exhibition — or “Hafuch” in Hebrew — features famous Israelis doing handstands or posing next to their more nimble colleagues alongside children with disabilities at iconic sites in Israel. The Foreign Ministry teamed up with Alumot Or (Rays of Light), the Center for Jewish Impact, and Haredim LaKetsev, headed by Israeli capoeira champion Mickey Hayat, to launch the exhibition.

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ART

The project is the brainchild of Ambassador Dan Oryan, the director of the ministry’s Balkan Department and a certified gymnastics coach.

Oshrat, Oshrit Banai, and Roni Nadler all took part in the opening event, as did windsurfer Nimrod Mashiach and Paralympian Nadav Levi.

“This exhibition was designed to heighten the awareness of the public at large by telling the story of the unique partnership between the art world and some truly amazing young people facing the challenges of their disability with both courage and humor,” Oryan said in his inaugural speech on December 6, 2021.

The exhibition, curated by photographer Shlomi Amsalem, will be taken overseas to Israeli embassies.

Israeli singers Gila Almagor, Ronny Someck, Tal Sondak, Leah Shaked, Gadi Rabinovich, Meskie Shibru, Kobi

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Ofra Cohen is the one who is bringing people with special needs to the project and building bridges for them through music. “If it is possible to stand on our hands together,” said Oryan, “then we can do almost anything together. That’s the exhibition’s motto, which puts children with disabilities at center stage and in

the center of the photographs.” Foreign Minister Yair Lapid delivered the keynote address at the opening event. “The photographs in the exhibition, and especially the people who created them, say to us: anything is possible,” he said. “When we are together, then for sure anything is possible. It is possible to overcome difficulties, it is possible to defeat almost any limitation. I don’t know how to stand on my hands, but I am proud to inaugurate this exhibition here in the Foreign Ministry, and am touched that you came from across Israel and the world. Because of you, anything is possible.”

“The Upside Down exhibition is one of the most ethical things we’ve ever done,” tweeted Foreign Ministry DirectorGeneral Alon Ushpiz. “The joy on the faces of everyone who took part in it is indescribable.” As Israel’s envoy to North Macedonia, Oryan initiated a series of events around children with disabilities. In 2019, Oryan initiated a photography project called Jumping Together, in which he was filmed mid-jump in front of famous sites alongside young people with special needs.

Source: The Times of Israel

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A Pleasure for me to Discover the Thai Kitchen Every Day More and More

Natural colorful and tasty ingredients and the flavors make up for the uncommon plates of Chef Wuttiamporn. He places emphasis on lightly and elegantly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components and a spicy edge which is the essence of Thai food culture.

FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:

Can you tell us more about yourself and your professional career? I chose to become a chef when I realized the happiness and the joy food provided to people. I had an experience in culinary. The importance of flavors and food scents and the warmth they can bring to others is crucial. The taste of simple recipes can remind people of their childhood, or multicultural dishes can make others think of their favorite country to visit. I enjoy seeing people feel that happiness when they taste each dish I create for them.

Thailand’s has a rich culinary landscape? What are some of your famous dishes and where do you find creativity and innovation to prepare them?

How have your previous experiences helped to shape your approach to Thai cooking?

Yes, of course. Without food, there is no life. There are so many Thai dishes available in today’s Thailand such as Masaman Gai, Green Curry Beef, Phad Thai and others. Flavors get innovated during the process. Nam Prik (Chili dip) is my favorite food because it tastes and smells fabulous.

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Being a skilled cook in Mediterranean, French, Italian kitchens, I used my skills and techniques in the Thai kitchen. And it’s a pleasure for me to discover the Thai kitchen every day more and more.

Are your dishes influenced by the Slow Food philosophy? Yes, of course. The Slow Food is too important for the healthy body and soul. How have you managed to maintain Thai

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COOKING IS ART

Chef Wuttisak Wuttiamporn from Phuket, Thailand brings to the readers of TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE the rainbow-colored Thai cuisine and its major features. He explains that his island inspired him to create such amazing plates.

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COOKING IS ART

food culture and heritage? How helpful is Thailand’s biodiversity in this regard? Maintain the food culture and heritage and teach it to the young Generation… presentation is a key part of Thai food culture; also Ingredients and Flavors create delicate and intricate carvings from fruits and vegetables.

chef to present an entire meal that seeks to achieve a true balance of essential flavors? Yes, I can. So, cook to retain nutrients, flavor, color, texture and overall appeal. Cooking can’t improve poor-quality foods, but it can enhance the flavors of high-quality foods.

How can our readers find you in Thailand or where they can consult you for further gastronomy tips? Now I’m in Yerevan, Armenia. There are 2 projects that I’m working on now. One of them is the Point of View restaurant and the other one is an upcoming project called Mao. Here’s are the contacts people can find me.

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Contact Chef Wuttisak:

Email : wwuttiamporn@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/wuttisak. wuttiamporn IG : chef_wuttisak

Can you describe a menu that allows the

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URBAN GREEN FAÇADES FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES Schüco AF UDC 8 0 Green Façade Due to densely built-up areas and heat-absorbing concrete and asphalt surfaces, many big cities suffer from the heat island effect, whereby air can barely circulate and temperatures increase. Car exhaust emissions and waste heat from air conditioning units also contribute towards the build-up of heat and air pollution. That is why people across the globe are turning to green buildings with plants on façades, terraces, balconies and roofs. Schüco is responding to this trend with the new Schüco AF UDC 80 Green Façade. Green façades in particular offer many benefits: they improve the climate in cities by absorbing carbon dioxide and clean the air of particulate matter and harmful substances. At the same time, they produce oxygen, make up for the lack of green spaces and improve the cityscape, bringing it to life and making it more attractive.

Individual design and long-term benefits

Instead of the greenery being planted

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in the ground, the Schüco AF UDC 80 Green Façade offers a solution where the plants grow on the façade itself. Façademounted plants need no connection to the ground and are therefore highly suitable for inner city areas in particular. Green façades also offer a high degree of design flexibility, and individual patterns can be created by only covering certain sections of the façade with plants. The units with greenery can be installed anywhere on the building. The plants are watered via an integrated system that is invisible from the outside. The Schüco AF UDC 80 Green Façade enables large leaf masses to be achieved on the building, which further adds to the positive effects of the living wall. The greenery therefore protects the building envelope from the weather and increases energy efficiency while the building is in operation. This works because plants provide effective insulation and natural shading, which reduces temperature fluctuations and hence lowers heating and air conditioning costs. The green façade also contributes towards sound

Quick and easy installation

Once the greenery is planted in the fleece-based modules, a substructure allows easy attachment to the Schüco

Schüco International KG

UDC 80 façade unit, with the modules being hung onto the façade on site. The façade therefore features full greenery as soon as it is installed, as the plants don’t take a long time to grow or require a great deal of care. For this, Schüco and Vertiko use Class A non-combustible building materials for the substrate and the plant pockets to ensure the highest safety requirements are met. www.alukoenigstahl-inow.com/sq/

The Schüco AF UDC 80 Green Façade is a sustainable project solution for cities. The Schüco Campus in Bielefeld will soon feature a green façade too.

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S U S TA I N A B L E C I T I E S

reduction as the plants absorb sound waves and therefore have a positive effect on background noise in major cities.

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Instead of the greenery being planted in the ground, the Schüco AF UDC 80 Green Façade offers a solution where the plants grow on the façade itself.

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Schüco International KG

By allowing certain sections of the façade to be planted with greenery, the Schüco AF UDC 80 provides a high level of design freedom, enabling individual patterns to be created.

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JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE G R E E N FAC A D E S

G R E E N FAC A D E S

ALUKÖNIGSTAHL EMBRACES GREEN FACADES, A QUESTION OF RESEARCH AND BEST PRACTICE BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

Alexander Riemer, Head of Product Management Schüco/ ALUKÖNIGSTAHL GmbH

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in green facades in urban spaces? We are very interested and focused on that subject. By “Green Façade” we understand a façade which is green. Green means that the profile system provides the ability to insert plants. Plants overtake more than one task.

lexander Riemer, Head of Product Management Schüco/ ALUKÖNIGSTAHL GmbH is enthusiastic about the green facades that are receiving great feedback. “We started to speak about such solutions in mid- 2021. We have received good feedback and some planners have already implemented such ideas,” Riemer said in an exclusive interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE. According to him, green facades provide a number of benefits to the people and the city while to go for green facades is a question of the interest of private investors or governmental investments.

• They keep the building surface under the plants “cooler” than without having plants in front. • They absorb a certain amount of noise coming from traffic along the façade wall. • They provide a change of the micro climate along the façade. • They are acting in a way as a design element. • … and it is possible that sooner or later there come regulations to provide buildings with plants because of that

Please explain what it feels like to be near a green facade, built by AluKönigStahl? There are already some facades equipped with such solutions in Vienna. They look interesting and our city performed some tests concerning the fire behaviour of plants.

“There are already some facades equipped with such solutions in Vienna. They look interesting and our city performed some tests concerning the fire behaviour of plants,” Riemer said.

That is important to ensure that fire propagation can be excluded.

Full interview below:

- In the first run, I think it is a question of the interest of private investors or governmental investments. - Later on, having the strong climate

How will a city get transformed by green facades? What is needed to realize green facades?

In your view, what is a green facade and why AluKönigStahl is so much interested

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windows is a more concerning subject.

change with hot summers, springs and autumns in mind – it might become a governmental requirement. - It is also possible that the influence of a green façade might be implemented into building certificates like BREEAM, LEED or DGNB. For the moment these are only “future thoughts”. - If a city already started to implement this kind of green idea the climate might change a bit – of course along with other measurements like more trees, water basins and the possibility for wind blowing through the streets.

What is the invitation of AluKönigStahl towards the investors, developers, authorities and residents when it comes to the green facades? We started to speak about such solutions in mid- 2021. We have received good feedback and some planners have already implemented such ideas.

- This is a question of research and best practice which will come in the near future. I am quite sure about that.

As I understand it, the green facades are integrated early in the designing process. Is there potential for green facades to be applied in older buildings? What innovative approaches is AluKönigStahl applying towards the green facades? Yes, this question is related to the planning process of new buildings. Design, watering, weight, maintenance.

In Austria and Germany as well as in other European countries it is on one side necessary A. to be able to provide reliable reports on the effect of plants in facades and the different possible solutions and B. to have a legal basis, how and where green facades are to be implemented. A legal basis is currently missing because the subject is very new. Who in Europe thought about making facades plantgreen in the last decades? Besides having an enormous effect on the design of facades, it is also a new subject and some tests, effects and rules must be clarified.

Concerning existing buildings where you have already an aluminium or steel façade it is necessary to • check out points where you can hang on the additional structure • check the need for total refurbishment • other mixed solutions For existing (historic) buildings with beautiful façade optics, I doubt that there will be a plant plan. In spite of that, the walls of these buildings are thicker and more insulated against sun heat. Here the insulation of doors and

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Enjoy the Freedom now.

Sliding systems from Schüco.

For more information or support, please contact our sales representative: +355 68 20 50 919 or a.hasani@alukoenigstahl.com

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