You will look for the free zones, but you will not find them

2024-03-24 08:47:00, Aktualitet CNA

In just a few years, tourism did for Albania what was not achieved for decades: It changed its image.

From a country that was once in the news of the international media for the collapse of the pyramids, the Albanian-speaking mafia groups that were capturing the drug market, poverty, today it is also mentioned for articles such as "Ksamili, the Maldives of Europe", "Vlora is the second in world for the growth of Airbnb bookings", "A trip to ancient Albania, few countries in Europe offer such a diverse history" and so on, the articles are endless. The latest news, which received wide spread, was the plan of the company "Affinity Partners" for an investment in the island of Sazan.

The company is owned by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump, and the son of Charles Kushner, a real estate developer who was sentenced to two years for evasion and corruption.

If it will come to fruition, Sazani is a project that will really bring a turning point for Albania, moving tourism to another, elite stage.

From an island that is currently uninhabited, because it requires large investments in infrastructure, especially in the provision of water, it could be turned into a unique eco-resort destination, on one of the most untouched and unique coastlines that has today in Europe.

A project of such dimensions would further transform the perception of millions of people in the world, who are already seeing Albania as a real tourist destination, but also of foreign investors.

In fact, investors' interest in Albania, driven by the country's touristic image, is growing, although there are no specifics.

The government, for its part, is trying to follow this trend both through investments in infrastructure (which are currently concentrated in the South!) and through other legal initiatives.

But, in this order after development, we risk making a big mistake. The Assembly has approved some changes in the law on protected areas, which pave the way for constructions in protected areas, which until now had survived, having only minimalist ecotourism structures (with boards).

In the new law, the concept of "excellence tourism" is added. This term means accommodation in structures with the highest architectural and environmental standards, as well as exclusive tourist services of the highest level.

Other evasive terms in the law allow constructions to be carried out, which may endanger the ecological balances in the few areas that have remained untouched until now.

Finding a balance between nature and sustainable development is essential, especially for Albania, which in these 30 years has greatly abused its infinite resources.

The coast of Durrës and Kavaja was concreted so much that the term "Golemizim" today symbolizes construction without criteria.

And in fact, not only did we not learn from the mistakes of the past, but this "Golemization model" was also transferred to the south of the country. From Vlora to Saranda, few spaces have remained untouched.

In recent years, there has been endless construction of villas and apartments, driven by the high interest of foreigners, as the prices were much cheaper than other countries in the region.

But while prices are rising rapidly, demand is beginning to fall and the first signals from real estate operators are that in Saranda, sales have fallen by 50%.

This is an example that shows that tourism is not just building buildings and how development without criteria risks turning into a bubble, while the real impact on the economy from the sale of these properties remains minimal.

Even today, Albania does not have a clear tourism development plan. The high influx of tourists in recent years found the market unprepared and everyone began to adapt according to the local way.

Relatively large hotels were built in Durrës, introducing, for the first time, the all-inclusive concept, which in fact, so far, has turned out to be the best model to attract other sectors of the economy.

The South rushed to build tourist villages (villas) and apartments, which brought a quick return for investors, but have little added value.

Individuals themselves began to rent out the houses, through the booking and Airbnb platforms, which brought satisfactory income, until the moment when the high supply reduced the prices to the limits of non-investment.

The government, for its part, is attempting elite tourism, which is difficult to achieve in a country that still has many problems with infrastructure, both physical and service.

And in the name of this elite tourism, Albania today risks the "Golemization" of protected areas. The level of corruption and weakness of state institutions and government clientelism raise doubts as to whether these changes and projects announced with great advertising will actually bring what is being propagated./ Monitor Magazine