Gjirokastra’S Promotion as a Branding & Marketing City

Abstract

The sustainable development of the tourism phenomenon and the impact that it produces it is important not only for the enterprises receiving tourism but also for the economic sectors correlated with the structures above as handicrafts, trade and services, turning tourism in a primary factor for the economic development of a region or a country.

To talk about tourism in a city very rich in "contrasts" such as Gjirokastra, is an issue that goes beyond simple economic aspect, generating significant consequences in terms of geography and especially in social level. This is because Gjirokastra is a city with a glorious history since the fifteenth century, rich in culture, archaeology, enogastronomia (Food and wine) and several endless natural beauties. Although is the capital of the most important cultural event, the national folk festival which perform the tradition through the art. Shortly, Gjirokastra is a genuine multidimensional brand; the promotion of it would increase the income, the employment, the consumption and most of all it would transform into in an international city. Certainly to promote this brand it is needed a coordination between decision-maker institutions and local businesses but above all is necessary an efficient and comprehensive marketing plan that promote "brand " pointing at the same time in the centre of the universe "tourist".

Based on this affirmation, this paper requires just to give some modest idea on the development of the city image through qualitative and quantitative analysis of data obtained from a sample of tourists visiting various cities in the world and recently have visited the Gjirokastra.