Brave or stupid?
This is probably the question that recurs in most people, which has seen Albania’s new slogan to lure tourists to.
The infamous slogan reads:
‘Be Taken by Albania’. (Become taken of Albania, ed.)
It writes the Daily Mail.
At first glance, it sounds it might not be something special, but it refers in fact to a Hollywood film about the kidnapping and trafficking of women.
Maybe you never have seen the blockbuster, but ‘Taken’ with Liam Neeson in the lead role from 2008 deals with the Albanian smugglers, who kidnap the girls and are part of organised trafficking in women and forced prostitution.
By using the title ‘Taken,’ as in English, instead of ’taken’ can also mean ‘captivated’,’ samples in Albania to use the film’s success to lure people to the country.
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Liam Neeson plays Bryan Mills, a former CIA agent who tries to track down his kidnapped daughter and her best friend. Photo: Scanbox
It is fully aware rating from the tourist board. On their website, they refer to the country’s ‘criminal reputation.’
‘HEY LIAM. In popular culture Albania has been designed as a haven for gangs, criminals and gangsters. Although we understand that perception can create good movies, such as Taken (2008), it is completely untrue! In reality Albania is a beautiful and incredibly safe place to visit and live in’, writes turistrådet.
Turistrådet have even started a petition to get Liam Neeson to visit the eastern european country.