Prime Minister Edi Rama has continued his series of social media posts, this time focusing on the relationship between nature and tourism development, using flamingos and their role in international tourist destinations as an example.
In his post, Rama referred to Nassau, Bahamas, where the renowned luxury resort Baha Mar and its flamingos have, according to him, become a symbol of the destination’s identity and an element that adds value to its tourism appeal.
“In Nassau, Bahamas, one of the most famous and luxurious resorts in the Caribbean, Baha Mar, flamingos are not considered a problem. Quite the opposite. They are the symbol of the destination. They are part of the country’s identity, part of the tourist experience, and part of the image through which the Bahamas presents itself to the world as peaceful and welcoming.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists take photos with flamingos every year. Resorts organize activities around them. Children learn about them. Visitors travel from afar just to see them. No one asks anymore whether flamingos can coexist with tourism. The question is how tourism can continue to develop while ensuring that flamingos remain there forever.
Because in the modern economy, nature is not the enemy of development. It is part of development. Flamingos are not a problem for development. They are a privilege. They are an asset that many tourist destinations would give a great deal to have, in order to turn it into a source of prosperity,” Rama wrote.
He added that Albania should also build a model in which nature and tourism development coexist and reinforce one another, specifically highlighting Vlora and Zvërnec as unique tourism assets.
“Our challenge is not to choose between flamingos and tourism. Our challenge is to build a model where flamingos, the lagoon, the forest, the beach, and high-quality tourism strengthen one another.
Because, in the end, no one travels thousands of kilometers to see something they can find closer to home. People travel to see what is unique.
And for Albania, a country rich in unique attractions, one of the most unique treasures is precisely the flamingos of Vlora and the rare beauty of Zvërnec,” the post continued.
Rama also emphasized that several international luxury hospitality brands are involved in tourism projects in Albania, linking this to the country’s potential to become a high-end destination in global tourism.
Concluding his post, the Prime Minister stated that Albania should continue moving forward with the development of modern tourism:
“THE FOOLISHNESS THAT HAS HELD ALBANIA HOSTAGE FOR 100 YEARS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IT FROM CONTINUING ON ITS PATH TOWARD JOINING THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OF WORLD TOURISM.”
