Tourism and Environment Minister Mirela Kumbaro visited Saranda and Ksamil with Mayor Oltion Çaçi to inspect coastal conditions. She met with local residents, businesses, and cleaning operators from the National Coast Agency to discuss waste management and public beach maintenance.

The agency reported a record number of managed beach parcels, 96 under private contracts and around 150 public. Most coastal municipalities now exceed the 30% public beach threshold, reaching up to 60%.

In Saranda, the tourist season now stretches into October and November, mainly due to foreign bookings. Plans to link itineraries with Gjirokastër aim to extend tourism into the winter.

Mayor Çaçi outlined Saranda’s approach to securing public access, even in privately managed areas. For the first time, beach operators in the Kodra (The Hill) area now offer free umbrellas to pensioners in the morning.

In Ksamil, Kumbaro inspected public beach zones, including the “Three Islands” area. Authorities have created accessible spaces for all, but the focus remains on cleanliness. Despite ongoing cleaning efforts, the ministry calls on businesses and citizens to maintain their own areas.

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