UNDP assists Durres coastal area feasibility study

TIRANA, March 12 – The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports (MTKRS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Albania have presented the final recommendations of a feasibility study for the development of the coastal area of Plepa-P쳲oi i Agait in the Durres Bay. Representatives of the central and local government, Albanian tourism associations and local business attended the presentation focusing on more than 20 potential projects and other actions which could help to upgrade the local economy, protect the environment and promote sustainable tourism.
The projects, developed by Huszar Brammah and Associates, a UK-based group, vary greatly in scope, cost, and resources required to implement them, thus calling for a concerted effort among international development agencies, national or local government, and private businesses operating on a commercial basis.
“This is an opportunity to see and discuss a proposed list of interventions for the area that can contribute to the local economy. Some projects may seem more attractive than others, but the main challenge will be how to implement them. I think it will take concerted efforts of the Ministry, local authorities, private sector and interested citizens to make the area of Rrashbull beach all that it deserves to be”, said Ms. Nato Alhazishvili, UNDP Resident Representative a.i..
The study of the Plepa-P쳲oi i Agait area is an initiative of the Albanian Government, which aims to analyze the factors which have caused a decrease in tourist flows in the area on one side, and to propose several actions to reverse this situation on the other. If implemented, the project can serve as a model to be expanded in other areas facing similar challenges.
The study addresses several urban planning, environmental and touristic aspects of the area, focusing on its revitalization, the improvement of infrastructure and services and the increase of tourist flow in the area. The list of the proposed projects goes from sanitation interventions, the restoration of the Kavaja Rock, establishment of attractive recreational areas on the hillside of the area, to the setting up of tourist information and health facilities.