Albania joins global elite in luxury travel push, with Sazan Island project in spotlight

Albania has been listed alongside top-tier travel destinations such as the United States, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and France in Travel and Tour World’s latest feature on the future of ultra-luxury tourism. The inclusion reflects the country’s bold shift from a rising budget destination to a serious player in the world of high-end travel.

Why is this important: A decade ago, Albania welcomed only a few hundred thousand visitors. In the last two years, over 10 million tourists from around the world have visited, drawn by upgraded infrastructure, stunning natural diversity packed into just 28,000 square kilometers, warm hospitality, and rich cuisine. Albania’s rapid ascent is now gaining recognition on the global stage.

Context: Travel and Tour World cites Albania’s leap into ultra-luxury travel as part of a new global competition for high-net-worth tourists seeking exclusivity and transformative experiences. Central to this repositioning is a $1.4 billion tourism development led by Jared Kushner, which aims to transform the former military island of Sazan into a luxury resort.

“Albania is ready to shine among the giants of ultra-luxury travel,” the report notes, adding: “Winds of change are blowing across the Adriatic.”

The project: Backed by Kushner and involving Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the Sazan Island initiative will include marinas, luxury residences, five-star hotels, and high-end dining — while preserving 92% of the island’s natural landscape. Albania’s government has taken an active role by establishing a state real estate and development company to maintain equity and influence in the venture.

Recognizing its potential impact, the project has been granted “strategic investment” status by the Albanian government, streamlining permits and regulatory processes. It represents one of the largest foreign investments in the country’s history and signals Albania’s shift toward sustainable, high-value tourism.

What’s next: The ripple effects could be regional. TTW suggests the Sazan project might inspire a new wave of luxury investment across the Balkans, reshaping the Adriatic as an upscale alternative to overcrowded Mediterranean hotspots. The project is also expected to create 1,000 local jobs and elevate Albania’s global image from a budget escape to a premium destination.

“Shaping how the world sees Albania is not just an economic effort — it’s symbolic,” the article concludes. “If done right, Sazan Island could become one of the travel stories of the decade.”

Challenges remain: Albania’s ambition to join Europe’s luxury elite will depend on its ability to balance rapid development with environmental preservation, involve local communities, and withstand political currents tied to Kushner’s high-profile role.