UNWTO Partner Event for the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

First Conference: Building Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism Development

The conference, organized under the promotion of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) during the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, brought together a diverse group of public and private stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges for sustainable tourism in Albania and the wider region.

InSET, certified by UNWTO as a Civil Society Organization (CSO) active at national and regional levels with a focus on sustainable development, proposed and led the organization of this First Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development in Albania, held on November 24, 2017.

The event gathered key actors from the Albanian tourism sector, including:

• Policymakers
• Universities
• Tour operators
• Private tourism businesses
• International NGOs

Objectives of the Conference

The conference addressed the emerging need for long-term public-private partnerships in Albania, in alignment with international goals for sustainability in the global economy and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Its specific focus was to highlight opportunities and best practices from Southern Albania as a model for implementing sustainable tourism — both nationally and across the Balkan region.

Key Partnerships

As the lead organizer, InSET collaborated closely with:

• Ministry of Tourism and Environment
• Regional Development Agency (RDA 4) — a public body established by Council of Ministers Decision No. 961, dated 02/12/2015, in line with new governmental policies for regional development

Shared goals between InSET and RDA 4 within the framework of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development included:

• Establishing models of public-private partnerships for shared development interests
• Promoting broader regional and interregional cooperation

The conference was made possible through strong partnerships with:

• Municipality of Vlora
• Municipality of Himara
• Municipality of Gjirokastra
• University of Vlora
• Representatives of tourism operators’ associations in Vlora and Tirana

Long-Term Impact and Vision

This inaugural event laid a solid foundation for future editions, with ongoing commitment to:

• Bringing together stakeholders from southern Albania’s tourism sector to advance sustainable tourism development
• Raising awareness that sustainable, accessible, and responsible tourism is achieved through collaborative effort and represents a viable path to development
• Encouraging professional discussions on various forms of sustainable tourism (alternative, mass, heritage-based)
• Increasing knowledge of the SDGs within the private sector to promote sustainable practices and services in regional tourism enterprises
• Empowering local communities by highlighting their potential and equipping them with the right skills for a new, sustainable tourism development path

This initiative marked an important step toward building effective public-private partnerships and positioning Albania as a leader in sustainable tourism in the region.