The EU to Give € 20mln for Tourism SMEs in Albania

TIRANA, March 29

The European Union Delegation in Albania will support tourism development in the country by assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that operate in this sector. Therefore, it will provide financial support of Euro 20 million for those SMEs. The aim of the EU delegation is to increase competitiveness thus, meet the highest standards of tourism offers and promote the preservation of natural and cultural heritage.
The EU Delegation brought together representatives from more than 20 municipalities, the newly-appointed Minister of State for Local Affairs Eduard Shalsi, and representatives of the Ministry of Economy to discuss the role of tourism in Albania’s local economic development. Experts from the institutes of tourism in the EU members states of Spain and Croatia shared their best practices with the Albanian counterparts.

“Like the EU, Albania will need to cope with the demand for a tourism offer that is sustainable and responsible towards the environment, that is customer service-oriented, that is supported by proper infrastructure,” Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Albania Yngve Engstroem told local authorities gathered in Berat.
The EU Delegation will be assisting Albania in the field of competitiveness through its financial support of EUR 20 mln to develop the potential of SMEs in the tourism sector by exploiting the link between tourism and preservation of natural and cultural heritage and local urban qualification for economic growth.

News Source: EU Delegation