TIRANA, October 19 /ATA/ There has seen a high flow of visitors to Lake Shkodra this tourist season.

This lake, considered one of the important tourist potentials in Shkodra, offers opportunities for a variety of activities.

Director of Shkodra Protected Areas Administration Agim Dardha said today for ATA that, "During January-September, there were 203,550 visitors to Lake Shkodra, of which 118,300 were locals and 85,250 were foreigners".

"This year has marked a significant increase in visitors as a result of two tourist boats near the Shiroka pier, made possible by the Albanian Development Fund and the Albanian government," said Dardha.

These boats, with a capacity of 33 seats each, are an opportunity for visitors to Shiroka to enjoy the magic of the waters and landscape of the largest lake in the Balkans.

The boats are added to a network of interventions that began with the creation of three piers along Lake Buna and the River Buna.

The water sports have also pushed an increase of visitors.

"Canoeing, boats and Venetian gondolas have been the favorites of tourists in Lake Shkodra", said Dardha.

The canoe trip lasts about 7 hours and crosses about 18 km of river and lake line, with fascinating landscapes of nature and many birds in this area.

According to him, the visitors have also the opportunity of bird watching.

"Lake Shkodra has a rich fauna with 45 species of fish and 270 species of birds. These birds make up 87% of the entire Ornitofauna of Albania", said Dardha.

Lake Shkodra offers entertainment and pleasure opportunities for all tourists who want to enjoy active tourism. It is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula and is situated on the border between Albania and Montenegro. The lake's ecosystem nurtures rich and unique flora and fauna, making it an important center of biodiversity in Europe. /k.s/j.p/r.e/p.s./