Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Tourism and Environment, convened a meeting of the Tourist Season Management Committee to continue work on the approval of new maps for the operation of “Beach Stations”. It was also announced at the meeting that applications will be accepted from November 15.

In her speech to the committee members, Minister Kumbaro explained the changes reflected in the new Beach Station Management Regulation. She emphasized that municipalities will be responsible for the reorganization and management of beach areas, and that only accommodation facilities in the tourism industry will be eligible to apply for beach stations.

“The government has passed a new law on the management of beach stations, which reorganizes beach areas with a strong emphasis on public beaches and gives a much greater role to coastal municipalities. In contrast to previous years, only organizations with accommodation facilities on or near the shore can apply to manage beach stations. The basic idea behind this new rule is that running a beach station is an additional service or accessory to an existing tourism business whose main activity is accommodation, not the main business. There will be major changes this year. The public will have access to many more beach areas that will be controlled and maintained by local governments. In addition, compared to beaches run by private organizations, municipalities will have the option to invest in “furnishing” beaches if they so choose, providing amenities such as deck chairs and umbrellas at much more affordable and accessible costs for all socio-economic groups. The space between the first row of deck chairs and umbrellas and the ocean will be required for public use where private operators operate beach stations. On sandy beaches, this distance will be 10 meters, while on rocky beaches it will be 3 meters,” said Minister Kumbaro.
Kumbaro explained during the meeting that, according to the new rules, the applications on eAlbania for applicants to manage beach stations will be opened on November 15, based on the maps established by the municipalities. There will be 300 meters of public coastline for every 1,000 meters.

“Interested parties will have the opportunity to apply online through the National Information Society Agency system between November 15 and December 15. We will inform the public through the media and municipalities. The municipalities have prepared the maps according to the new rules. In addition, the Minister of Tourism and Environment stated that for every kilometer of coastline, 300 meters should be reserved for public use wherever possible.

The Minister also warned of the consequences for companies that violate the rules and for individuals who place private umbrellas in public areas. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the maps drawn up by the municipalities in accordance with the new government decree on the management of beach stations.