UNWTO Joins Support of Albania’s Post-Earthquake Recovery
The international tourism community, led by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has shown their solidarity with Albania as the country works to recover from the November 2019 earthquake.
The earthquake of 26 November resulted in a large number of victims and caused unprecedented damage to buildings, infrastructure and livelihoods. In response, UNWTO joined the Ministry of Tourism of Albania for a special ‘Summit on Tourism for Solidarity and Sustainability’ this week.
High-level officials from the United Nations specialized agency joined Prime Minister Mrs. Edi Rama and Albania’s Minister of Tourism and Environment Mr. Blendi Klosi as well as representatives from neighboring states across the Adriatic-Ionian region to discuss the role of tourism in leading recovery from a humanitarian crisis. Best practices were shared and the role of both the public and private were also analyzed in detail.
Opening the event, UNWTO Executive Director Mr. Zhu Shanzhong commended the authorities on the successful organization of the conference, “particularly given the recent tragic events that hit Albania”. He added: “Time and again, tourism has proven itself as a pillar of resilience and a driver of economic recovery, and UNWTO welcomes Albania’s clear determination to harness the power of the sector to help the country recover from the recent earthquake and start welcoming visitors from around the world once again.”
As UNWTO begins its Year of Tourism and Rural Development, the Organization underscores the role tourism can play in driving economic recovery in Albania’s rural communities.
