Meet Elton Caushi – as founder of Albanian Trip, he shares his inspiring journey of creating a travel company rooted in sustainability and community engagement. Inspired by Albania’s landscapes and culture, Elton also champions responsible tourism that benefits both locals and visitors.

He highlights how Albanian Trip turns challenges into opportunities and utilises community involvement and partnerships for environmental and social impact. Discover how Elton is shaping the future of sustainable tourism in Albania and inspiring travellers to explore responsibly.

Elton, what inspired you to found Albanian Trip, and how has sustainability shaped your company’s mission?

I’ve always been passionate about travel, and Albania’s stunning landscapes and rich culture inspired me to create Albanian Trip. I wanted to share the beauty of my country while promoting a style of tourism that respects the environment and the local communities. Sustainability is our compass – it guides everything we do, from choosing eco-friendly practices to creating unforgettable experiences that leave a positive mark on both travellers and locals.

How has Albanian Trip promoted sustainable tourism in Albania, and what are some examples of turning challenges into opportunities for positive impact?

We promote sustainable tourism through local clean-ups and partnerships with farmers for authentic agritourism experiences. One challenge we faced was dealing with waste in tourist hotspots.

Instead of seeing waste as a setback, we turned it into a chance to educate travellers about responsible practices. Therefore, we launched a fun “Leave No Trace” campaign, which not only reduced litter, but also engaged tourists in meaningful conversations about preserving our beautiful landscapes.

How do you ensure that the communities you work with are involved and benefit directly from the tourism experiences you offer?

Community involvement is key for us. We work closely with local guides, artisans, and cooks to ensure they are at the heart of our experiences.

We’ve set up initiatives where a portion of our profits goes directly into community projects – like improving local schools or supporting traditional crafts. This way, when travellers enjoy a meal or buy a souvenir, they know they’re making a difference within the community.

How important are partnerships in expanding sustainable tourism initiatives, and who have been some of your key collaborators?

Partnerships are everything! We can’t do this alone. We’ve teamed up with NGOs, local governments, and even other travel companies to amplify our impact. For instance, we created ARTI – Albanian Responsible Travel Initiative – to further promote responsible travel practices across Albania. ARTI serves as a platform to unite stakeholders, drive sustainable tourism development, and ensure that tourism benefits both local communities and the environment. Collaborators like the Albanian Institute for Nature Conservation have also been instrumental in our efforts to promote eco-friendly practices.

Together, we can achieve so much more than we could individually!

What strategies do you use to educate travellers about responsible tourism, and what role do they play in ensuring the sustainability of the destinations they visit?

We make education fun and engaging! Before trips, we share tips on how to be a responsible traveller through vibrant guides and interactive briefings. During tours, we encourage travellers to ask questions and get involved in local customs.

Travellers play a huge role in sustainability – by making informed choices, they can support local economies and protect the environment. It’s all about creating a positive ripple effect!

Looking ahead, what are your top priorities for advancing sustainable tourism through Albanian Trip, and how do you plan to scale these efforts in Albania and beyond?

Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand our eco-tourism offerings and deepen our community engagement. We want to inspire travellers to explore lesser-known areas of Albania while respecting local traditions. Scaling these efforts involves leveraging social media to share our story and connecting with like-minded organisations to spread the word about responsible travel. We want to create a movement, not just a business!

Thank you, Elton!

Connect with Elton on LinkedIn or find out more about Albanian Trip here. If you enjoyed our interview with Elton, please share it and spread the word about sustainability and responsible travel.

Elton has been featured because he has been peer nominated for our community of sustainable tourism impact makers. We count over 400 trailblazers around the world (meet them here).