A recent article by “Daily Mail”, quoted 19-year-old American solo traveler and blogger Eve Kovac (@outdoor.eve) expressing that she felt unsafe during her trip to Albania, citing instances of harassment. Kovac responded on social media, refuting these claims, and stating that her words were misrepresented. She emphasized, “I loved Albania!” and criticized the article for distorting her experiences.

Why is this important

Tourism is one of the most important sectors of Albania’s economy and negative portrayals can unjustly deter visitors. By spreading inaccuracies, media like Daily Mail contribute to a false perception of Albania that doesn’t reflect the country’s true safety and hospitality.

Context

The incident is not the first case of a British media publishing sensationalist and often misleading stories about Albania and its people. Articles from outlets like the “Daily Mail” have frequently portrayed Albania negatively, focusing on crime and migration in ways that border on sensationalism and even racism. These portrayals have created a skewed and unfair image of the country.

The impact

Sensationalist reporting, especially from influential media like the “Daily Mail,” risk damaging Albania’s growing tourism sector. Misleading articles suggesting Albania is unsafe for travelers discourage potential tourists, impacting local businesses. Contrary to these reports, Albania is very safe for tourists—often safer than many UK cities—and offers beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and welcoming locals. Thousands of British tourists and million of tourists from all over the world visit the country each year in complete safety.