The Chairperson of the Committee on Culture, Tourism and Diaspora, Ina Zhupa, has reacted to the situation at the entrance to the Butrint National Park, describing the situation as unacceptable for a UNESCO-protected asset.

She emphasizes that, despite the influx of around 300 thousand visitors per year and the considerable income generated, the park entrance remains polluted and without minimum standards of welcome for tourists.

Zhupa underlines that the lack of investment in maintenance and cleanliness damages the image of Albanian tourism and does not adequately represent one of the most important cultural destinations in the country.

Ina Zhupa's full reaction:

This is the entrance to the Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a protected area. One of the pearls of Albania that tourists from all over the world should visit.

Look at the picture of what happens to the waste!
What is the entrance to this Park like?

Here in the same place is also the bus station where tourists get off, and where they are "welcomed" by the touristic Saranda, the touristic Ksamil, and the touristic Butrint.

Last year alone, about 300 visitors were reported to have come to the Butrint National Park, accounting for about 3 million euros that go to the AADF, the Butrint Management Foundation. Not counting the other large sums of money that have been in Butrint's coffers, no money has been released to clean the entrance to the Butrint National Park.

No money to have dignity among tourists, no money to show a different face and a welcome for everyone. This is the face that tourism in Albania does not deserve.