Albania looks to Portugal model for future tourism strategy, says Rama

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has praised Portugal’s tourism development model in the protected Ria Formosa area, describing it as proof that environmental protection and economic development can go hand in hand.

In a social media post, Rama highlighted that the Algarve region, once largely dependent on agriculture and fishing, transformed into one of Europe's most prestigious destinations through investments in luxury and high-value tourism, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

According to Rama, the development of destinations such as Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo near the Ria Formosa ecosystem attracted billions of euros in private investment, created thousands of jobs, increased property values, and generated higher tourism revenues without harming the area's biodiversity.

“This story shows that the question is not whether nature and development can coexist, but whether we have the vision, knowledge, and determination to make them coexist,” Rama wrote.

He added that wealth is created when nature becomes part of development and development becomes an ally of nature.

Referring to Albania’s tourism prospects, Rama expressed confidence that the country will establish itself among the world's leading tourist destinations.

“Tourism-renewed Albania will undoubtedly enter the Champions League of global tourism, and Europe and the world will finally recognize us as a blessed country, not a cursed one,” the prime minister said.

Photo: Visit Portugal