Kosovo, a small yet captivating country in the heart of the Balkans, is emerging as a promising tourism destination for South Asians. Although it has not been recognised as an independent state by nations like Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal, it has found support from Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Pakistan. Regardless of the political stances, Kosovo's allure as a destination transcends borders, drawing travellers from all generations of the South Asian diaspora.
Despite existing tourism and trade connections with South Asia, including tea and apparel shipments to Kosovo, shared destination tourism remains low.
Kosovo holds a special connection to one of the world's most revered figures of compassion and humanity, Mother Teresa, who served her entire life in Kolkata, India, until her death. Her ties to the region stem from her parents, who hailed from Prizren, a historic city in Kosovo known for its cultural and religious diversity.
Baki Hoti, President of the Tourism Union of Kosovo, told Ceylon Today that Kosovo, the youngest country in the heart of the Balkans (Southeast Europe), offers diverse tourist opportunities, including cultural, mountain, and health tourism. He highlighted the nation's traditional hospitality, unique cuisine, and vibrant festivals, which continue to attract visitors from around the globe.
Hoti noted Kosovo's readiness to host prominent events such as the Sunny Hill Festival, organised by Kosovar Dukagjin Lipa (father of pop singer Dua Lipa), Dokufest in Prizren-one of the region's leading documentary and short film festivals-and the upcoming International Tourism Fair – Kosovo 2025. He emphasised that these events, along with various other activities, play a crucial role in boosting visitor numbers and positioning Kosovo as a distinctive cultural and artistic hub.
He further stated that Kosovo has recently drawn special interest from South Asian visitors, particularly from Sri Lanka, while Kosovars have shown growing enthusiasm for visiting Sri Lanka. This mutual interest presents a significant opportunity to enhance tourism collaboration between Kosovo and South Asia. By fostering promotion and partnerships, both sides can strengthen ties and deepen their relationship. Hoti emphasised that tourism serves not only as a driver of economic growth but also as a bridge between cultures and traditions, offering a platform for mutual understanding. He invited all stakeholders to join efforts in promoting Kosovo as a top tourist destination and building meaningful partnerships with South Asian countries.
The Prishtina Dialogue for more tourism connectivity
For the first time, an international Prishtina Dialogue was held in Kosovo from 22 to 29 November hosting a South Asian delegation led by K.S. Sunil, founder of the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA). The delegation engaged with several top officials from Kosovo's government, including the Foreign Minister, Deputy Minister of Economy Getoar Mjeku, the Speaker, and others.
Speaking at the Prishtina Dialogue, Deputy Minister Mjeku highlighted Kosovo's significant coal reserves, the largest per capita in the world, and the country's commitment to transitioning to green energy. Mjeku also stressed Kosovo's openness to cooperation with countries that share its values and expressed hope for strengthening ties with South Asian nations. He noted that the Prishtina Dialogue revealed numerous similarities and opportunities for further exchange, fostering greater collaboration in the future.
Kosovo's Tourism Roadmap
Kosovo is developing a tourism strategy guided by the St. Gallen Model for Destination Management (SGDM), an innovative framework that integrates business operations, strategy, and culture to manage complex tourist dynamics. Targeting Asian markets and its diaspora, Kosovo seeks to capitalise on Asia's rapid economic growth and its status as a leading source of global tourism. Despite its strategic location in the Western Balkans, Kosovo has yet to fully leverage global tourism trends, though recent years have seen steady improvements in visitor numbers and overnight stays.
The government is drafting a 2024-2030 tourism strategy in collaboration with ministries, municipalities, and stakeholders to enhance competitiveness, economic development, and employment. The six stars on Kosovo's flag symbolise its commitment to multiculturalism and unity among its diverse ethnic communities, reinforcing the nation's aspiration for harmony and inclusion. Tourism in Kosovo has seen consistent growth, with rising visitor numbers and overnight stays. The government's 2024-2030 tourism strategy aims to develop the sector further, focusing on economic development, employment, and international market engagement.
By leveraging its natural beauty, rich heritage, and hospitality, Kosovo is steadily emerging as a rising star in global tourism, appealing to visitors from South Asia and beyond.
Natural splendour and cultural richness
Kosovo's diverse landscape and rich cultural heritage make it a compelling destination. Its natural beauty includes majestic mountains, pristine rivers, serene lakes, and waterfalls, offering opportunities for adventure tourism like hiking, skiing, kayaking, and paragliding. Cultural landmarks such as historic mosques, ancient churches, monasteries, and museums reflect its storied past, captivating history enthusiasts and spiritual seekers.
Cultural experiences and festivals
Visitors can engage with Kosovo's vibrant craft traditions and attend renowned music and film festivals that merge traditional and modern art forms. The country's exceptional hospitality and interfaith tolerance ensure a welcoming atmosphere for tourists.
Kosovo is an affordable destination, particularly for South Asian tourists, offering budget-friendly options for dining, transportation, and accommodations. The workforce's proficiency in English and German enhances communication with international visitors.
Architectural and Historical Heritage
Kosovo's architectural splendour includes Romanesque-Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, and remnants of Jewish synagogues, reflecting its multicultural history. Highlights include the VisokiDecani Monastery, the Sinan Pasha Mosque, and the Mother Teresa Cathedral in Pristina. These sites showcase a blend of artistry, spirituality, and historical significance.
Prizren: Cultural Capital
Prizren, often called Kosovo's cultural capital, boasts Ottoman-era architecture, cobblestone streets, and a vibrant multicultural atmosphere. Its significance marks a historic and cultural hub. It is a charming city of mosques and monasteries dating back to the 14th century. Prizren is also where the Albanian national awakening began, as the League of Prizren, a political organisation for defending the rights of the Albanians, was founded here in 1878.
Strengthening Nepal-Kosovo relations through tourism diplomacy and trade
Tourismtrade is far more than an economic activity-it is a powerful tool for fostering cultural exchange, building goodwill, and advancing diplomacy. Nepal and Kosovo share a lot in common, two nations rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty. Tourism diplomacy and trade hold immense potential to forge a meaningful bilateral relationship. Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties, shared values, common family and kin values and growing engagement offer a unique opportunity to build a robust partnership that benefits both nations.
Kosovo, Europe's youngest nation, declared independence in 2008 and has since established diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries. Nepal, renowned for its towering Himalayan peaks and deep spiritual traditions, has yet to formalise ties with Kosovo. In November 2024, however, a high-level Kosovar delegation, led by Minister of Local Government Administration Elbert Krasniqi, visited Nepal to exchange insights on local governance. Facilitated by Helvetas-Nepal and Helvetas-Kosovo, this landmark visit underlined the mutual interest in fostering collaboration.That same month, the ‘Prishtina Dialogue: Where the Balkans Meets South Asia',was held in Prishtina, Kosovo. Organised by theAIDIA in partnership with Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora and the Prishtina Institute for Political Studies (PIPS), the event provided a platform for exploring cooperation between Kosovo and South Asia. Supported by the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society, it reflected a shared vision for cross-regional collaboration.
Nepal's adventure tourism and spiritual retreats complement Kosovo's emerging winter sports industry, UNESCO-listed monasteries, and dynamic arts scene.
Uta Ibrahimi, a celebrated Kosovar alpinist and the first woman from the Balkans to scale 13 over 14 peaks over 8,000 metres sees a natural synergy between the two nations. "Nepal can inspire Kosovo with its mastery of adventure tourism, while Kosovo's expertise in skiing could help Nepal explore winter sports as an emerging attraction," she says.
This collaboration extends beyond economic ties. Both countries share histories marked by conflict and resilience, shaping their identities and cultures. Kosovo's approach to preserving its history through institutions like the War Childhood Museum in Prishtina provides valuable lessons for Nepal. Such museums, which document the human impact of conflict, could inspire Nepal to create similar spaces, fostering education and healing.
Tourism Diplomacy: A bridge for deeper connections
Sunil KC, founder of AIDIA,stressed the importance of cultural initiatives in fostering ties. "Establishing a Nepalese cultural centre in Kosovo could introduce Nepal's heritage to Balkan audiences while appointing a Kosovar goodwill ambassador for Nepalese tourism could expand Nepal's reach in Europe," he suggested.
The exchange of local products holds significant potential to deepen Nepal-Kosovo ties. Nepalese tea, coffee, spices, and honey could enrich Kosovo's cuisine, while Kosovo's artisanal goods and revitalised wine-making traditions could inspire Nepal to explore viticulture and enhance its tourism offerings. Incorporating Kosovo's bread and cheese-making techniques into Nepalese food culture and learning from its expertise in producing high-quality wines and liquors could further elevate culinary experiences for visitors in both countries.
Kishor Tripathi, Managing Director of Liberal Tours and Travels, highlights the importance of addressing logistical barriers. "Collaboration requires trust, feasibility studies, and strong government backing to address challenges like visa delays, smooth travel experience and limited air connectivity," he explained.
Formalising diplomatic ties would enable bilateral agreements to facilitate travel and trade. Joint tourism products, such as itineraries combining Nepal's trekking routes and Kosovo's cultural landmarks, could attract global audiences seeking diverse experiences.
KC elaborates, "Educational exchanges in tourism and hospitality management could further strengthen this partnership, fostering innovation and improving service quality. A Nepal-Kosovo tourism forum could serve as a dedicated platform for dialogue, ensuring alignment on shared goals and consistent progress."
With mutual respect, strategic investments, and a commitment to progress, Nepal and Kosovo can unlock the transformative power of tourism diplomacy and trade, setting an inspiring example of how collaboration can unite diverse cultures and drive mutual growth. The time to act is now.
As Ibrahimi stated, "Nepal and Kosovo's shared focus on preserving their cultural identity while embracing growth creates a unique opportunity for collaboration."
Diplomatic Insights on Kosovo and India Relations- Guner Ureya
Guner Ureya, Director of the Department for Public Diplomacy in Kosovo and former ambassador to Bangladesh, shared his perspective on South Asia and Kosovo-India relations. Reflecting on his tenure in Dhaka, he acknowledged the cultural richness of India and its global influence through successful leaders of Indian origin. While admiring India's achievements, he expressed concern over India's perception of Kosovo, shaped predominantly by Serbia's narrative, which he argued misrepresents Kosovo's unique history and independence.
Ureyastressed that Kosovo's independence is a sui generis case, not a precedent for other situations.He detailed Kosovo's struggle under Serbian oppression, the humanitarian crisis during the 1990s, and NATO's intervention, leading to Kosovo's independence, validated by the International Court of Justice and recognised by a majority of UN member states.
He urged India to reconsider its stance on Kosovo, highlighting opportunities for mutual recognition and collaboration. Indian recognition, he argued, would reinforce democratic values, peace, and stability in the Balkans, while enhancing bilateral and multilateral relations.
Ureya added that Kosovo's youthful and vibrant population and its potential to contribute to global peace and development, expressing hope for a partnership with India based on shared democratic values and mutual respect.
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