The Albanian Riviera is one of Europe’s fastest-growing destinations, with around three million people visiting its white sand beaches, wetlands and forests in 2024.
But recently, tourists have been affected by growing controversy around the development of a luxury resort on Albania's biodiverse Sazan Island, threatening the habitats of flamingos, sea turtles, seals and Dalmatian pelicans.
When developers erected fences blocking off access to public beaches in protected areas, protests intensified, leading to a rise in hotel cancellations.
