Local governments urged to take action on tourism

TIRANA, May 28 – Local authorities do not have to wait for central government in order to take action and responsibilities with regard to developing tourism and improving services in their territories, says the Swiss Cooperation in Albania which is assisting the Shengjin and Velipoja coastal area with a programme on decentralization and local development.
Addressing a conference in Tirana, Swiss Cooperation’s Country Director, Isabel Perich said “the process of decentralization involves to a large degree the delegation of management of tourism and visitor services to the local level.”
“The experience of other countries – including my own country, Switzerland – show that when local government units take action and responsibility, this will mobilize the proper response from central government and other actors as well, and in the end the whole cycle of services is complete”, added Ms. Perich in closing.
Participants were presented with several innovative instruments for improving touristic and visitor information services, as well as with the process and methods that can be used elsewhere from other local government units. The two specific cases of Sh쯧jin and Velipoj롷ere mentioned as examples which can be replicated in other areas of Albania. These initiatives were prompted by the growing numbers of tourists and visitors and a corresponding lack of information tools.
Representatives from the two communes shared their experience in developing their own sustainable tourism strategies and information instruments. Several products were disseminated among participants including a 15 minute video film which depicts an innovative instrument for informing tourists and visitors and keeping them attracted to potential locations.
Both Sh쯧jin and Velipoj롨ave plenty of beautiful locations and natural resources which are strategically important,” said the Minister of Tourism, Aldo Bum詮 “However, apart from the natural values in such areas we also have the most important one, hospitality, which is an important asset of our culture which should attract tourists as it has already done”, added Minister Bum詮 In his speech, the Deputy Minister of Interior, Ferdinand Poni, mentioned that Swiss Cooperation’s programme is compatible with the government’s priorities and this is very important in the wider context. “From the point of view of tourism as a development priority, the programme’s approach in supporting strategies for public and visitor information comes at the right time, in the right way and in the right place,” said Poni.
Swiss Cooperation’s decentralisation and local development programme has assisted local authorities in Shkod철and Lezh롲egions with technical know-how and funds for improving public services, increasing the communication flow with citizens, and enhancing the overall function of municipalities and communes. The two main objectives of the programme include the enhancement of capacities of local government units and the sharing of best practices at national level.