TIRANA, March 25 /ATA/- In Belshi fair, Minister of Tourism and Environment Blendi Klosi was briefed by local residents on production of saffron, one of the most sought-after and expensive spices.
The cultivation of this plant and other local products has become a profitable business for hundreds of families in Belsh, the lake-front tourist town, which is dotted with hostels and tourist guesthouses.
The model built in the village of Seferan, one of 100 tourist villages on the govt. programme, is a major boost for all villages of the area.
Minister Klosi acquainted the residents in this area with the funding earmarked for development of agro-tourism during a meeting with the local community and representatives of local govt., EU in municipality of Belsh as part of the project “Municipalities in EU.”
The head of Tourism and Environment appealed to local population to apply for financial support out of agro-tourism funds earmarked by the govt. This financial support, which goes up to ALL 20.000.000 for each beneficiary, is extended to those who develop a traditional Albanian product or set up tourist structures in the local style.
Rural areas have to be transformed into real economic destinations and the Belshi municipality with its natural resources has all the potentials to become a major tourist spot in the country, minister Klosi said.
Minister Klosi added that after Urban Renaissance which has transformed the municipality of Belsh into a European municipality, the “100 tourist villages” programme will put the spotlight on the village.
The agro-tourism policies will enable the villages rich in natural resources, steeped in history and tradition of Albanian produce, to develop the local economy. Minister Klosi said that the balance between sustainable development of tourism and sustainable protection of environment will be achieved through implementation of the policies designed by the Albanian govt.
Lawmaker of this constituency, Musa Ulqini, said that investments made in the last years in municipality of Belsh have resulted in positive developments, from upgraded infrastructure linking the villages of this municipality to inclusion of this area in the project of 100 villages. “The village of Seferan is part of this project, however we are hopeful to add two more villages. EU accession is achieved once environmental standards are met.
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