Bloomberg: New international airport in Vlora set to boost elite tourism in Albania
A new international airport on Albania’s southern coast is just weeks away from launching operations, Bloomberg reported Monday—placing the country firmly on the map for global tourism and high-end investment. The report also highlights Jared Kushner’s plans to develop a $1.4 billion luxury resort on nearby Sazan Island, signaling a new era for the region.
Why this is important: The Bloomberg piece positions Vlora as the next hot spot on the Mediterranean, citing lower prices, rising demand, and significant foreign investment. The airport is expected to become Albania’s second-largest and play a central role in Prime Minister Edi Rama’s push to turn the country into a European tourism powerhouse.
Context: Over the past three years, investors have poured $170 million into transforming a former military airstrip into the new Vlora International Airport. Charter flights will begin this summer, and full commercial service is expected by the end of the year. According to Bloomberg, the airport’s initial capacity will be two million passengers annually, with a goal of reaching ten million within a decade.
The airport will dramatically improve access to Albania’s southern coastline—a stretch that has seen a surge in international visitors drawn by unspoiled beaches, turquoise waters, and far more affordable prices than Greece or Croatia.
What happened: Bloomberg reports that the airport is just one part of a broader plan to transform Vlora into a luxury destination. Just offshore, Jared Kushner—former U.S. presidential advisor and Donald Trump’s son-in-law—is moving forward with plans to build a $1.4 billion resort on Sazan Island. The site, once a military zone, is being reimagined as an exclusive getaway for elite travelers.
What’s next: The combination of new infrastructure and high-profile investment marks a turning point for Albania’s tourism industry. With tourism already accounting for about 20% of GDP, and hundreds of thousands employed in the sector, Bloomberg notes that Albania is now actively competing with more established Mediterranean destinations.
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