The Albanian government announced on Tuesday the start of an international competition designed to select the right logo and slogan for promoting tourism around the world.

"This is a specific initiative led by two major ministries, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism," Tourism Minister Eglantina Gjermeni declared.

The minister stressed that the logo competition is of highly importance for the promotion of Albanian tourism.

"The Albanian government is willing to accelerate all the necessary measures in order to obtain the desired results regarding tourism and economic development," the minister added.

Gjermeni introduced that the upcoming competition will be "a two-stage competition which will be finalized on May 16."

Tourism in Albania is characterized by archaeological heritage from Illyrian, Greek, Roman and Ottoman times, unspoiled beaches, mountainous topography, delicious local cuisine, unique traditions and hospitality, and the wild and peculiar atmosphere of the countryside.