Berisha: Tourism was not harmed by the protests, but by narco-euro and Rama's policy towards Kosovo Albanians

The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has rejected claims that citizen protests have negatively affected the tourist season, attributing the decline in tourism to the devaluation of the euro and government policies.

In a statement to the media, Berisha accused the government of trying to blame protesters for the empty beaches, while, according to him, the real cause is what he called the "narcoeuro", which has increased costs for foreign tourists.

According to the leader of the Democratic Party, the strengthening of the lek has made holidays in Albania significantly more expensive, while he accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of damaging exports and the economy with his policies.

Berisha also said that another factor that has negatively affected tourism is, according to him, the government's attitude towards Albanians from Kosovo and North Macedonia. He mentioned the banning of several Albanian MPs from North Macedonia and other cases that, according to him, have created dissatisfaction and reduced the number of visitors from these countries.

In conclusion, Berisha stated that the protests have not harmed tourism, but on the contrary have attracted the attention and sympathy of international opinion for developments in Albania.

PART OF THE DECLARATION

From morning to night, government media blames the protest on tourism and, unfortunately, they also find some deceived operator who carries the government's flag.

The truth is that today, like never before, the country's beaches are empty, not half empty, but much more than half empty, from Saranda to Shëngjin and beyond.

And the most destructive factor for tourism, the most toxic, is the narcoeuro, which has fallen by 32 percent.

Imagine, a tourist who booked a room for 100 euros has to pay for the room for 130 euros.

A tourist who rents a room somewhere to cook for themselves finds it 30 percent more expensive and finds food more expensive than in his own country.

Tirana, as you yourself have witnessed, according to the most serious statistics from Eurostat, is the second most expensive city in Europe in relation to income.

And endlessly demonstrating ignorance, a few days ago he boasted about the narco-euro, he boasted about the strengthening of the lek.

And this is pride.

Of course drugs are his pride.

But allow me to provide some data for the citizens on the currencies of other EU member states that are not in the euro system.

The Polish zloty, devalued by 13 percent, because there is inflation, normal.

Romanian leu, 11 percent.

Bulgaria has a fixed exchange rate.

As for the Hungarian forint, 25-27 percent depreciation.

So, what happens in Albania happens in Mexico. There too, half of this, 17 percent.

After passively destroying exports, and remembering we begged, remembering when he declared with extreme cynicism, with absolute irresponsibility, to let those industries go because they are third world, at a time when Albania reached eighth place in the world for shoe production, and many of them of the highest quality.

It achieved very important productions in high fashion and other productions.

They are gone, no, they are not an industry for us, for us it is drugs.

And now for all this, he blames the protest for tourism that has almost emptied from Saranda to Shëngjin.

Add to this the openly hostile attitude towards the Albanians of Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Declares Albanian MPs of North Macedonia, their representatives, persona non grata.

He stops them at Qafë Thanë.

Declares the citizen from Prizren non-grata because she came to the protest and spoke.

Of course, all of this creates disgust among Albanians, creates hatred for him.

And the truth is, from what I'm reading now, travel and bookings to the beaches of Albania have seen a dramatic decline this year.

So he is the author of the destruction of tourism.

The protest has no connection, on the contrary, it has aroused worldwide sympathy, to tell the truth.

It has aroused a sympathy that Albania has never had so great.

 

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION OFFICE DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEDIA

 

Berisha: Tourism has been destroyed by narcoeuro and Rama's stance towards Kosovo Albanians and North Macedonia, not protests

 

From morning to night, government media blames the protest on tourism and, unfortunately, they also find some deceived operator who carries the government's flag.

The truth is that today, like never before, the country's beaches are empty, not half empty, but much more than half empty, from Saranda to Shëngjin and beyond.

And the most destructive factor for tourism, the most toxic, is the narcoeuro, which has fallen by 32 percent.

Imagine, a tourist who booked a room for 100 euros has to pay for the room for 130 euros.

A tourist who rents a room somewhere to cook for themselves finds it 30 percent more expensive and finds food more expensive than in his own country.

Tirana, as you yourself have witnessed, according to the most serious statistics from Eurostat, is the second most expensive city in Europe in relation to income.

And endlessly demonstrating ignorance, a few days ago he boasted about the narco-euro, he boasted about the strengthening of the lek.

And this is pride.

Of course drugs are his pride.

But allow me to provide some data for the citizens on the currencies of other EU member states that are not in the euro system.

The Polish zloty, devalued by 13 percent, because there is inflation, normal.

Romanian leu, 11 percent.

Bulgaria has a fixed exchange rate.

As for the Hungarian forint, 25-27 percent depreciation.

So, what happens in Albania happens in Mexico. There too, half of this, 17 percent.

After passively destroying exports, and remembering we begged, remembering when he declared with extreme cynicism, with absolute irresponsibility, to let those industries go because they are third world, at a time when Albania reached eighth place in the world for shoe production, and many of them of the highest quality.

It achieved very important productions in high fashion and other productions.

They are gone, no, they are not an industry for us, for us it is drugs.

And now for all this, he blames the protest for tourism that has almost emptied from Saranda to Shëngjin.

Add to this the openly hostile attitude towards the Albanians of Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Declares Albanian MPs of North Macedonia, their representatives, persona non grata.

He stops them at Qafë Thanë.

Declares the citizen from Prizren non-grata because she came to the protest and spoke.

Of course, all of this creates disgust among Albanians, creates hatred for him.

And the truth is, from what I'm reading now, travel and bookings to the beaches of Albania have seen a dramatic decline this year.

So he is the author of the destruction of tourism.

The protest has no connection, on the contrary, it has aroused worldwide sympathy, to tell the truth.

It has aroused a sympathy that Albania has never had so great.