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"Zvërneci" issue/ Head of the Albanian Tourist Union: Well-being comes from development

2026-06-02 16:10:00, Aktualitet CNA

"Zvërneci" issue/ Head of the Albanian Tourist Union: Well-being

The President of the Albanian Tourist Union, Rrahman Kasa, has reacted to the debates on the issue of investments in Zvërnec and the ongoing protests.

Kasa writes that citizens' dissatisfaction with an investment worth more than 4 billion euros does not help develop tourism and the economy in the country.

He also emphasizes that this reaction of citizens serves neighboring countries that do not want Albania's development and want investors to attract them to their countries.

He further writes that the arrival of brands such as "Mandarine Oriental", "Aman" or "Atlantis" increases Albania's name in the international arena. He emphasizes that Albania cannot refuse strategic investments that increase the competitiveness of tourism in the Mediterranean and provide over 10 thousand jobs.

The head of UTSH says that citizens who have claims for overlapping property should go to the courts to verify their statements.

Regarding those who protest for environmental protection, Kasa states that modern international tourism is based precisely on the preservation of nature, biodiversity and cultural heritage and respect for every environmental standard.

Full reaction:

In the position of the President of the Albanian Tourist Union, I think that the dissatisfaction and protests of Albanian citizens against an investment of over 4 billion euros that will be made in the tourism sector, whether for the claims of overlapping property in Zvërnec, or of some environmentalists who claim the disappearance of some small aquatic creatures, I do not think that it serves the development of tourism and the Albanian economy. On the contrary, I think that it serves the border countries that do not want our development and undoubtedly, through these manipulations and underground organizations, want investors to attract them to their countries.

Investments of this level, which bring brands such as Mandarine Oriental, Aman or Atlantis to our country, some of which have not yet entered Europe, enhance Albania's name in the international arena, increase property value, create opportunities for local enterprises and strengthen the international position of Albania's tourist destination.

Without a doubt, we respect the right of every citizen to protest and demand that every project be implemented with the highest environmental and legal standards. But, at the same time, Albania cannot refuse strategic investments that increase the competitiveness of our tourism in the Mediterranean and provide over 10 thousand jobs, turning the area into one of the most important economic engines of the country.

It is important that the debate about investing in Zvërnec is based on truth, facts, transparency and Albania's long-term interest, not on emotions or misinformation.

From public statements, the project is being developed on private properties purchased legally, but since some citizens have claims for overlapping property. This category, which has these claims, should go to the courts to prove their claims and ask for guarantees from the state that, if the court grants them the right, it will act as guarantor to compensate them for the property with the sale price that the illegal owners have benefited from and not seek help from some Greek political circles, who, instead of contributing to the growth of friendship between the two peoples who have lived next to each other for thousands of years, do the opposite by declaring that the lands of the Greek minorities in Vlora are being robbed and inciting some mercenary immigrants who organize them in buses to protest, supposedly in defense of minority properties.

Even with regard to that category that protests for environmental protection and opposes in the name of this cause, they should keep in mind that modern international tourism is based precisely on the preservation of nature, biodiversity and cultural heritage, respect for every environmental standard, but not a priori blocking of investments that can positively transform the national economy.

Zvërnec is an extraordinary asset of Albania. Our challenge is not to leave it undeveloped, because if we consider Albania only for its beauties, where will we produce material goods, because well-being comes from development, but we must develop it with responsibility, professionalism and long-term vision, so that future generations inherit a stronger, more visited and more valued destination on the Mediterranean tourist map. / CNA