Environmental activist, Ened Mato argued that what is missing in the Albanian tourism sector is sustainability. He is critical of the grand hotel projects that are being called investments in the name of bringing our tourism sector forward, but to counter this idea, Mato brought up the precedent of what has happened in the coast of Durres.
“If we look at what’s happened to Durres because of tourism, we will see that the entire coast is destroyed; they’ve taken down entire forests, turning them into tall concrete towers, so the landscape has been destroyed in order to accommodate people. Now, Durres already went through this, but why Dhermi, Jal, Qeparo and other semi-exotic beaches – these small beaches can’t handle hotels at all, “ – said Mato.
The activist also referred to the stats presented by the Barometer poll, saying that on average Albanians spend around 22 euros per person per day, when they’re on holiday, which is absurd when compared to the “100 hotels in Dhermi with 300 euro per night prices”.
According to Mato, all these massive hotels do is destroy the coast and the nature of the Albanian Riviera, which should be rescued and protected from becoming a future Durres.
Mato’s statements sparked a lot of debates amongst the guests in the panel, especially since his stance goes against that of former minister of tourism, Blendi Klosi, who is an active supporter of big business and more hotels being built in small beach towns along the Albanian coast.
Klosi said he was skeptical about privately owned homes that serve as guesthouses, because according to him they are usually working informally and don’t normally hire or create jobs.
This is why, according to Klosi, there is “a loud demand in Albania, to increase our accommodating capacities, which is why naturally, a lot of work is being done by the government in this direction so that more hotels can be built in Albania”.
Klosi’s stance was also challenged by show host, Neritan Sejamini, who asked Klosi why we would need a third airport in Vlora, in such a small country like Albania, instead of building a railway that would be much more sustainable and friendly to the environment.
Needless to say, there was little these guests could agree one, especially when they’re divided into supporters of big business and massive expansion of the hotel industry and supporters of nature-conscious options and sustainable alternatives.
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