TIRANA, December 6/ATA/ The National Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development in Albania was held today in Tirana with the participation of representatives from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the World Tourism Organization, the private sector and tourism operators with the support of the Swiss Development Cooperation.

Speaking at the conference, Minister Kumbaro praised Albania’s membership in the GSTC, adding that tourism growth in the country is also happening to be sustainable.

“The 11th month of 2024 closed with over 11 million foreign visitors who have enjoyed Albania. This 11 by 11 is a nice coincidence, or in other words about 16% more than the same period last year. It is important to emphasize that tourism is becoming sustainable”, said Minister Kumbaro.

This conference comes to Albania at the moment of our country’s membership in GSTC, offering opportunities for hotel structures and tour operators to be internationally certified on sustainability standards.

“We have a very good experience with our Swiss partners because we have developed new models for us. Thus, during the last 5-6 years, there are over 17 international hotel brands in Albania. Since we are talking about standards and formalization, I had the pleasure of signing yesterday the 2000th certificate within a period of a few years of the categorization of hotels which increasingly understand that they are interested in formalization process because they have greater benefits”, said Minister Kumbaro.

This conference once again puts the capital on the map of the organizing countries of important events for tourism, this time with a focus on sustainable development.

The National Conference on Sustainable Development was organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment in collaboration with Swiss government partners, the “Risi Albania” project, implemented by the Helvetas.