Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj said today that, “Over 4.5 million people visited Albania’s protected areas from January to August, up 11.8% from last year.”

“More and more visitors are choosing to explore Albanian nature and our protected areas,” Jaupaj stated, highlighting the rising interest in these destinations.

According to the minister, Shkodra, Vlora and Korça topped the list of most visited destinations during the June–August period, with protected areas welcoming over 3 million visitors in total.

“The number of visitors during the three summer months increased by 9.3% compared to the same period in 2025, demonstrating growing interest in nature and green tourism destinations in the country,” said Jaupaj.

The rise in visitor numbers to Protected Areas highlights the potential of Albania’s natural assets for year-round tourism development, extending beyond traditional coastal destinations.

Jaupaj emphasized that, “More visitors bring greater responsibility for preserving these areas, underscoring the significance of respecting and protecting nature.”

“More visitors mean greater interest in Albania’s nature, but also a greater responsibility to respect, preserve and protect it,” said Jaupaj.

Protected Areas constitute one of Albania’s most important natural assets and, in recent years, have increasingly become sought-after destinations for adventure tourism, ecotourism and outdoor activities.

Protected areas in Albania continued to expand during 2025, reaching a total of 777 sites covering an area of ​​625,551 hectares or 21.7% of the country’s territory. According to statistics published by INSTAT, protected areas now account for 36.1% of Albania’s forest and pasture lands.

Albania also has 724 natural monuments, while two areas are classified as Managed Resource Areas. /p.s./

Butrint National Park is one of the region’s top destinations. Located in the south, it features the Ksamil islands and a rich mix of nature and history. The blend of sea, forests, and ancient monuments draws many visitors. From January to July, the park welcomed 159,987 people—141,022 foreign visitors and 18,965 locals, according to Tahiraj.

Surrounded by dense forests and a unique Mediterranean landscape, the Blue Eye spring offers a striking view with its deep blue waters.

‘Ranking in second place is the Blue Eye Natural Park, which welcomed 132,796 visitors—94,328 foreign tourists and 38,468 local visitors,’ Tahiraj stated.

According to Tahiraj, Llogora National Park drew 72,649 visitors to remain a favorite in the region. Meanwhile, Pishë Poro–Nartë Natural Park welcomed 61,715 visitors.

Tahiraj said that the following protected areas also attracted strong visitor numbers: Karaburun Natural Park welcomed 27,345 visitors, Porto Palermo Natural Park had 20,040, Karaburun–Sazan National Park saw 14,931, and the Ksamil Islands recorded 4,585.

Vlora’s protected areas drive Albania’s tourism by blending stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage into a model for sustainable travel.

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The focus is on industrial and tourism-led economic growth.

In the municipality of Dibra, the selected areas for the development of the mountain economy will be Korab highlands, Hinoska, Gramë and Zimur.

In addition, there have been defined as development areas the villages of Brezhdan, Kalla, Lashkizë, Lugjej, Lura, Qa (Prat) village, Sllatinë village, Lan – Lura, etc.

In the territory of this municipality, there have also been defined as development areas the meadows of Kalla – Vleshe, the Drin River valley, as well as the villages of Selishtë, Luzni and Rabdisht.

While in the territory of the Memaliaj municipality, the villages of Arrëz e Madhe, Maricaj and Vagalat, in the municipal unit of Buz, and in the village of Rabie have been declared development zones.

In the municipality of Tepelena, priority areas for the development of the mountain economy are determined the municipal units of Kurvelesh, Lopës and Qendër-Tepelena. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj stated today that during 2025, there were 5.9 million visitors to the protected areas, 6% more compared to 2024. According to him, 75% of the increase in the number comes from foreign visitors.

“The protected areas are today true ecotourism assets and a source of pride, with a steady increase in visitors from year to year, thanks to the hard work and passion of the administrations of the protected areas that in every season take care of the management, hospitality of guests and the preservation of biodiversity”, emphasized Jaupaj.

Minister Jaupaj appreciated that, “From national parks to protected landscapes, these spaces are destinations that bring local development, employment and international attention”. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

According to the minister, this means 300 thousand more visitors than the same period last year.

Specifically, in the period January-September 2024, there were 4.5 million visitors registered in the protected areas, while for the same period this year, there were 4.8 million.

“The protected areas, as the green card of our biodiversity, have become the natural habitat of ecotourism and environmental education. There have been 4.8 million visitors, or 300 thousand more than the same period last year, who have visited national and natural parks, natural monuments, protected landscapes, exploring sustainable experiences in harmony with the environment such as hiking trails, natural sports, bird watching and local tourism,” Jaupaj said.

The protected areas have become popular tourist destinations due to their natural beauty and diverse terrain, which is suitable for tourists, from those who want to enjoy nature to adventurous tourists who can explore the area by hiking along various trails.

In addition to walking along the trails of the protected areas, in recent years the visitors have also shown interest in bird watching tourism, especially aquatic ones, such as in Divjaka-Karavasta National Park, Narta Lagoon, Kune-Vaini Lagoon, Lake Shkodra, Lake Pogradec, etc. /m.m/r.e/a.f/p.s./

Minister of Defense Pirro Vengu announced today that in support of the livestock farmers of the Gramsh municipality, the General Directorate of State Material Reserves distributed 11 tons of fodder.

Meanwhile, he emphasized, in Delvina and Himara, in recent days, livestock farmers in the area have been helped with 38 tons of fodder.

The process of evaluating the damages caused by the fires has also begun in the affected municipalities.

Earlier, Prime Minister Edi Rama assured residents affected by the fires that compensation for damages caused by the fires will be carried out in each affected municipality, according to a special procedure, which begins with their identification by the Evaluation Group for the inventory of damages.

The relevant structure is established by order of the mayor and is tasked with identifying damages to housing, infrastructure, businesses, agricultural crops, mechanical equipment, as well as to facilities with a social or cultural function.

The group completes the relevant forms, which reflect the damages along with their financial evaluation, creating a clear picture of the needs for intervention and support.

Then, the municipalities prepare lists of damaged entities, along with all accompanying documentation, which precedes the final assessment phase. /a.gj/ /a.g/p.s./

The festival was officially opened in the presence of the minister and representatives of local Italian institutions, highlighting the role of Arbëresh culture as a bridge between the two peoples.

At this event, the three Arbëresh municipalities, Casalvecchio, Chieuti and San Marzano di San Giuseppe, were officially declared cultural protected areas of Puglia, in a symbolic act that emphasizes the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of Arbëresh communities.

Minister Balla praised the role of the Arbëresh as, “The finest example of preserving our national language and traditions for more than five centuries”.

He emphasized that the Arbëreshi people and the Albanian diaspora in Italy constitute “a strong bridge between our two peoples”, underlining the importance of involvement of the diaspora in preserving national identity.

The “Fraternity” festival took place on July 26 and 27 in Casalvecchio di Puglia, in its eighth edition, bringing together over 100 artists, singers and dancers from the Arbëresh communities of Italy and from Albania, especially from Vlora.

For two days, participants took part in cultural, artistic and gastronomic activities, with concerts, discussions, exhibitions and shared lunches and dinners in the squares. /j.p/p.s./

During a press conference, Berisha emphasized that, “Theth constitutes one of the most serious and ugliest state crimes in the history of Albania.”

According to him, “Edi Rama has transformed Theth into a field of destruction, in which this village, this area has never been transformed by any invader, even the most barbaric.”

Berisha emphasized that, “No building was in the protected area, all of the constructions are in urban areas.”

“Yes, Theth is a national park, but Theth has an urban area where there can take place construction,” Berisha emphasized.

“There has been no construction on public land, nor on someone else’s land, all on one’s own land. All buildings were wooden constructions, as determined by the regulation for Theth, wood or stone,” Berisha continued.

Berisha added that in Theth the people did not vote for the Socialist Party, but they voted for the Democratic Party.

The leader of the DP published the result of the voting center for the area where the constructions were demolished in Theth.

“The DP in this center received 95 votes and the SP 82 votes. So, they did not vote for the SP, they voted for the DP and this is Edi Rama’s primitive, criminal revenge against them”, said Berisha.

He called on the residents of Theth, Shkodra and all of Albania, “To rise up to definitively separate ourselves from this great evil that is destroying Albanians and their being every day”. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media moments from the children’s visits to the protected areas.

Rama wrote that, “The protected areas are not only natural treasures, but also spaces of education and adventure for the little ones. Every day, more and more children and young people discover the beauties of nature and try exciting sports as a wonderful way to love more the environment from childhood”.

The specialists of the protected areas continue to develop with dedication environmental education classes in 9-grade and high schools, in classrooms and on the ground, as one of the best ways to bring up children with a love for nature.

Through presentations, videos, planting and cleaning actions, as well as various games, young people engage in getting acquainted and preserving biodiversity and the shared environment in the best possible way. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Kumbaro said that, “Albania has shown quite clearly by developing its only industry, that of tourism, as an industry that does not pollute, moving from mass tourism to quality tourism. The open seas occupy an area of ​​64% of the volume in the oceans, including rich ecosystems”.

“The agreement clearly defines the legal framework in consideration of the size of the country and the coastline. It is necessary that in addition to the 21.5% protected area on land, we also increase the protected area of marine parks, at least by adding the most recent one, the Porto Palermo marine park”, underlined Kumbaro.

Further on, Minister Kumbaro explained what it means specifically to become a party to this agreement.

Minister Kumbaro stated that, “What Albania directly benefits is the building and improvement of capacities and the transfer of maritime technology, which consists in providing support for the reinforcement of commitments”.

“We are at the stage where we have successfully opened and negotiated some of the chapters of the EU-accession negotiations; one of them is chapter 27, the longest, most difficult and most expensive. It is another obligation in fulfilling the conditions of chapter 27, one of the biggest challenges in the negotiations with the EU for Albania to become a party to this agreement, with the approval of which we will present ourselves next week in the largest world organization dealing with the protection of marine and oceanic protected areas in France”, said Kumbaro.

Minister Kumbaro appealed to the MPs to approve this draft law. /k.s/j.p/p.s./