A young family in northern Albania is proving that rural communities can thrive by combining tradition, agriculture, and tourism. In the village of Velisht near Bajram Curri, the Chestnut Hill agritourism lodge has become a successful example of sustainable rural development, attracting visitors while creating new opportunities for local farmers.
Founded by Ermal Nikoçi and his family, Chestnut Hill began as the restoration of an old family home and has grown into one of the leading agritourism destinations in the Tropoja region. The lodge offers authentic local cuisine featuring chestnuts, fresh regional ingredients, and chestnut honey, while showcasing the natural beauty of the Albanian Alps.
The business collaborates with around ten local farming families and produces approximately two tonnes of chestnut honey each year, helping increase income and strengthen the local agricultural economy.
Tropoja is home to Albania’s largest chestnut forest, covering more than 2,200 hectares. As part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s chestnut sector, targeted investments have helped improve storage facilities, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance product quality. A new cold storage facility has enabled Chestnut Hill and its local suppliers to better manage seasonal production while preserving fresh agricultural products.
Additional initiatives have also focused on improving chestnut forest management, introducing biological pest control measures, and enhancing tourism routes that connect visitors with local producers and rural attractions.
The success of Chestnut Hill demonstrates how agritourism can support local economies while preserving cultural heritage and traditional farming practices. By linking tourism with agriculture, the initiative has created jobs, increased demand for local products, and encouraged young entrepreneurs to invest in rural communities.
As more travelers seek authentic experiences, destinations like Chestnut Hill highlight the growing potential of sustainable tourism to drive long-term economic growth and strengthen rural livelihoods across Albania.
