BRIDGING THE STRUCTURAL GAP: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TOUR GUIDES TRAINING IN ALBANIA AND THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

This study examines how Albania’s training for tour guides aligns with European benchmarks and the systems used in neighbouring Western Balkan countries. Through a narrative literature review, this paper compiles data from a number of academic articles, policy documents, and official reports. The study uses this information to compare Albania's specific situation with the corresponding frameworks in Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Greece, and Turkey. The analysis highlights three main gaps: First, Albanian training lacks a balance between theory and practice, relying disproportionately on independent study rather than the supervised practical training found in other systems. Second, the country’s regulations do not include the European CEN EN 15565 standard, which prevents Albanian qualifications from being recognised in the EU. Finally, the huge focus on auditorium learning has resulted in a noticeable lack of soft skills among guides, particularly in how they explain and interpret heritage sites. This is the first review of its kind to compare the existing research on Albanian guide training with regional counterparts. The study points out five specific areas where more data is needed, offering a clear guide for future academic study and the reform of vocational education.