TIRANA, February 16 – The Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, held a meeting with representatives of the World Bank Group. The delegation was led by Ming Zhang, global director for urban development, subnational finance, tourism, and disaster management.

In a social media post, Gonxhja said the meeting focused on concrete steps to guide Albanian tourism toward a model with higher quality and greater value for the local economy.

The discussion emphasized developing tourism products beyond the summer season. Special attention was given to mountain areas, cultural heritage sites, and local communities.

The meeting also addressed the regeneration of destinations through successful programs such as the PIUTD initiative. Participants discussed securing financing and technical support for projects that increase income and employment.

Gonxhja highlighted that the goal is sustainable tourism development. The focus is on direct benefits for citizens and the national economy.

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