Tony blair advises albania on boosting tourism

Tony Blair is advising Albania on how to boost its tourism industry and grow its economy.

The former British Prime Minister has joined forces with the country’s new leader, Edi Rama, to help to Balkan nation attract foreign investment and achieve EU integration.

The newly elected Albanian Prime Minister said last week that Blair would be “personally and voluntarily” advising the government. His primary role will be to offer advice – at no cost - on the implementation of a reform that will keep the Albanian economy expanding, with an eye to become the next country to enter the EU.

Indeed, Albania’s outlook is already positive: the country welcomes 4.7 million tourists every year, with the tourism sector contributing €580m to the economy in 2012 (6.2 per cent of GDP). This is predicted to climb by 5.4 per cent per annum until it hits over €1 billion in 2022.

Peter Walshe, Marketing Director of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, a five-star development on the Adriatic coastline, comments: “As has been witnessed in many other European countries, in tandem with tourism growth comes development of the real estate market and Albania is no exception. Here at Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa we have seen an explosion of interest for new, western style properties in prime locations not least accelerated by the strengthening of the Albanian Lek and the depreciation of the Euro, boosting buyer confidence especially from areas outside of the Euro zone.”