Yacht port in Vlora helps tourism development

VLORA, Sept. 18 – The yacht port in Orikum Vlora district is the only investment of the kind in Albania. The small port is located just between the Karaburun peninsula and the city of Vlora. It was built b the Italian company “Giorgio Alfo.” After the project was approved in 1995 it started to be built a year later in 20 hectares. It is give by concession for 99 years to the company. But in the crazy year of 1997 its work was suspended, though the place was under the protection of a local family living there Ali Bitri. Construction work resumed after 1997 and now one may see an almost complete harbor with two buildings and other infrastructure needed to operate. It is in the last stage of construction. Some yachts have already started to come to the port from other countries. They are left there to be used during summer for which they pay a rent. The port is created as a place of rest for the yacht owners sailing in the Mediterranean. The port is 250 x 156 meters in the sea with a four meter depth. It may accommodate some 650 small yachts and it is expected to increase that number to 1,000. the port has also two three-floor buildings with 57 apartments that have one, two or three bedrooms. Some clients have bought the anchorage place together with an apartment. Another building will be constructed to serve with different shops and also a pool. Scores of yachts came this summer. The ;port also held the Sea Day with some 157 Italians who came on yachts. During those days the tourists visited the tourist spots around in other towns like Berat, Himara, Apolonia, and so on. The port has also all the necessary infrastructure of a border crossing point. Giorgio Alfo, one of the company’s shareholders, said they had the full support from the government to complete their investment. “We aim at making the port a modern place,” said Alfo. The first stage had asked for a 5 million euro investment.