MUJA LAW
Albanian Government Is Raising the Bar for the Future Tourism In this issue of TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE, Eno Muja, Partner at MUJA Law analyzes the newly approved decision of the Albanian Council of Ministers which establishes the criteria, procedures, and documentation necessary for entities wishing to apply for the special status of investor in a 4 or 5-star accommodation structures. Read the full interview with Mr. Muja below to understand the ins and the outs of this decision: Hi Eno, thank you for taking your time in discussing with us about the latest trends in tourism industry in Albania. Lately in Albania there has been an increasing positive trend in tourism and the Albanian government is aiming at inviting as many big companies in this field as possible. Could you give us an overview in this regard? Rudina, as always, it is a pleasure to be part of Trailblazing Magazine and I thank you for that. It is indeed true that Albania is facing an increase in tourism, especially during the last year. The official figures from the state authorities responsible in this regard, indicate that tourism in 2023 has experienced the best historical moment.
Referring to the data, the summer season was reported as quite good, but not only, since the positive figures reflected an extension of the summer season into the fall as well. During the January-December period, a total of approximately 10 million foreigners who visited the country were registered. The indicators of the movement of citizens and accommodation structures for the month of January of this year also spoke of a good start of the year. Such figures have also sparked interest not only from companies operating in the field of tourism, but also from the government in order to facilitate such investments, be those from local companies or foreign ones. As for the above, the Council of Ministers has recently approved a new decision, which establishes the criteria, procedures, and documentation necessary for entities wishing to apply for the special status of investor in a 4 or 5-star accommodation structures. Also, such decision outlines the framework for the application review. Through this act, it seems that the Albanian government is not only trying to facilitate investments in tourism, but also is trying to raise the bar for the future in this regard.
“During the January-December period, a total of approximately 10 million foreigners who visited the country were registered” 29
JP TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE