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Be a part of FESTA!

Gain insights and explore new opportunities in the global tourism market.

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300+
Attendees
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70+
Speakers
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8
Thematic Panels
Монтажная область 1
30+
Countries
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What is FESTA?

The Future of Environmental Sustainable Tourism in Albania

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Albania in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) under the special care of the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, and Secretary – General of the UNWTO, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, will organize the International Tourism Forum “The Future of Environmental Sustainable Tourism in Albania (FESTA)” that will be held from the 3rd to the 5th of April 2023, in Tirana, Albania.

In the framework of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), together with the Albanian Agency for the Strategic Program and Aid Coordination (SASPAC), the forum aims to include the most important topics within the strategic policies of the Albanian Government and UNWTO.

FESTA will be a platform for a range of panels and discussions amongst policymakers, entrepreneurs, operators of hospitality and all those who contribute to the shaping of this vital industry.

The Forum thematics will be focused on the current trends of sustainable travel, using insights, while exploring the transformational power of the travel industry and jointly strategise how to move forward in the road ahead.

Being among important actors who are at the forefront of the profession, will be a great networking experience among all attendees, against a background of Albanian food, culture, music, and hospitality.

Speakers

Get to know our high-profile speakers and be part of FESTA

H.E. Edi Rama

Prime Minister of Albania Albania

H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili

Secretary General UNWTO Spain

H.E. Frans Timmermans

Executive Vice-President at the European Commission responsible for the European Green Deal

Daniela Santanchè

Minister Ministry of Tourism Italy

Mirela Kumbaro

Minister Ministry of Tourism & Environment Albania

Belinda Balluku

Deputy Prime Minister Prime Minister’s Office Albania

Mohamed Alabbar

Chairman Eagle Hills United Arab Emirates

Prof. Bettany Hughes

Historian BBC UK

Ilin Dimitrov

Minister Ministry of Tourism Bulgaria

Why Should You Attend?

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Networking

The forum will bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and operators of hospitality from around the world, providing a unique opportunity for attendees to network and build relationships with industry peers. This can lead to valuable partnerships, collaborations, and new business opportunities.
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Gain Insights

The forum will focus on the current trends of sustainable travel, and attendees will have the opportunity to learn about innovative strategies and best practices in sustainable tourism from experts in the field. This can be valuable for professionals in the travel and hospitality industry who want to stay ahead of the curve and make their businesses more sustainable.
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Explore the Future

The forum will explore the transformational power of the travel industry and jointly strategize how to move forward in the road ahead. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in discussions and panels on the future of tourism and gain insights into where the industry is headed. This can be valuable for professionals who want to stay informed and adapt their strategies accordingly.

Day 1 - April 3, 2023

Day 2 - April 4, 2023

Day 3 - April 5, 2023

Day 1 - April 3, 2023

Day 2 - April 4, 2023

Day 3 - April 5, 2023

Day 1 - April 3, 2023

Day 2 - April 4, 2023

Day 3 - April 5, 2023

Day 1 - April 3, 2023

Day 2 - April 4, 2023

Day 3 - April 5, 2023

Day 1 - April 3, 2023

Day 2 - April 4, 2023

Day 3 - April 5, 2023

Day 1 - April 3, 2023

Day 2 - April 4, 2023

Day 3 - April 5, 2023

Day 1 - April 3, 2023

Day 2 - April 4, 2023

Day 3 - April 5, 2023

Day 1 - April 3, 2023

Day 2 - April 4, 2023

Day 3 - April 5, 2023

Day 1 - April 3, 2023

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Welcoming Performance

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Master of Ceremony / Prof. Bettany Hughes BBC
Prof. Bettany Hughes
Prof. Bettany Hughes
Journalists at BBC, UK

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Welcome Speeches
H.E. Mr. Edi Rama
H.E. Edi Rama
Prime Minister of Albania, AL
Mrs. Mirela Kumbaro
H.E. Frans Timmermans
Executive Vice-President at the European Commission responsible for the European Green Deal, EU
H.E. Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili
H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili
Secretary General of the UNWTO
Mrs. Mirela Kumbaro
Mirela Kumbaro
Minister of Tourism and Environment, AL

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Tradition in Evolution / Tasting Albanian Specialities
Day 2 - April 4, 2023

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Opening Remarks
Vincas Jurgutis
Erion Veliaj
Mayor at Municipality of Tirana, AL
H.E. Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili
H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili
Secretary General of the UNWTO

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Panel 1: The Role of Governments in Shaping the Tourism Agendas of the Future

Alessandra Priante
Alessandra Priante
Moderator - Director for Europe at UNWTO


Speakers:
Mirela Kumbaro
Mirela Kumbaro
Minister of Tourism & Environment, AL
Daniela Santanchè
Daniela Santanchè
Minister of Tourism, IT
Ilin Dimitrov
Ilin Dimitrov
Minister of Tourism, BG
Goran Durovic
Goran Durovic
Minister of Economic Development & Tourism, MNE
Federico Pedini Amati
Federico Pedini Amati
Minister of Tourism, Posts, Cooperation and Expo, SM
Husein Memic
Husein Memic
Minister of Tourism Youth, SRB
Staša Košarac
Staša Košarac
Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, BA
Kreshnik Bekteshi
Kreshnik Bekteshi
Minister of Economy, NM
Tonči Glavina
Tonči Glavina
State Secretary at Ministry of Tourism, HR
Tonči Glavina
Sofia Zacharaki
Deputy Minister of Tourism, GR
Tonči Glavina
Ieva Valeškaitė
Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation, LT
Tonči Glavina
Özgül Özkan Yavuz
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, TR

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Panel 2: Investment Perspectives Strategies

Gazmend Haxhia
Gazmend Haxhia
Moderator - Business Entrepreneur at Landways International


Speakers:
Belinda Balluku
Belinda Balluku
Deputy Prime Minister, AL
Mohamed Ali Alabbar
Mohamed Alabbar
Chairman of Eagle Hills, UAE
Takuya Aoyama
Takuya Aoyama
Vice President, Development of Hyatt International, CH
Dilek Sezer
Dilek Sezer
Senior Development Director - Accor South Eastern Europe of Accor S.A. , FR
Tonči Glavina
Jordi Sanchís
Head of Development of Meliá Hotels International, ES
George Maltezos
Principal Banker of EBRD
Robert Carey
President of Wizz Air, HU
Andi Ballta
CEO of ABI Bank , AL

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Panel 3: The EU & Donors in Tourism Development Strategies

Ilir Beqaj
Ilir Beqaj
Moderator - Head of the State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination (SASPAC), AL


Speakers:
Ilir Beqaj
Delina Ibrahimaj
Minister of Finance, AL
Majlinda Bregu
Majlinda Bregu
Secretary General at Regional Cooperation Council, AL
Majlinda Bregu
Peter Zingraf
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Albania, DE
Majlinda Bregu
Fabrizio Bucci
Ambassador of Italy to the Republic of Albania, IT
Monica Merino
Monica Merino
Resident Representative of UNDP, AL
Elsa Hastad
Elsa Hastad
Ambassador of Sweden to Albania, SE
Alvaro Renedo Zalva
Alvaro Renedo Zalva
Ambassador of Spain in Albania, ES
Alvaro Renedo Zalva
Besart Kadia
Deputy Minister of Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania , AL

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City Tour / Museum Visits

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Symphonic Concert Carmina Burana
Day 3 - April 5, 2023

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Panel 4: Branding Sustainable Destinations and the Latest Trends
Mr. Miguel Gallego
Miguel Gallego
Moderator - Head of Marketing at European Travel Commission, BE


Speakers:
Ivana Jelinic
Ivana Jelinic
CEO at ENIT - National Tourism Agency, IT
Lysandros Tsilidis
Nicholas Kelaiditis
President of HATTA, GR
Giulio Senes
Giulio Senes
European Greenways Association. Milan University, IT
Ana Tripković Marković
Ana Tripković Marković
Director at National Tourism Agency, MNE
Zana Cela
Zana Cela
General Director at National Tourism Agency, AL
Marija Labović
Marija Labović
Acting Director at Serbian National Tourism Agency, SRB
Robert Dee
Robert Dee
Director & Co-Founder at New Deal Europe, UK
Mirela Koçollari
Mirela Koçollari
General Director of City Promotion at Tirana Municipality, AL
Alexia Panagiotopoulou
Head of Strategy at Minucipality of Athens, GR
Mirela Koçollari
Talgat Amanbayevi
CEO of the National Company Kazakh Tourism, KZ
Mirela Koçollari
Dubravka Kalin
Director General of Tourism Directorate Slovenia, SL

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Panel 5: Jobs, Skills and Hospitality
Gladiola Domaj
Gladiola Dona
Moderator - Founder of Hospitality and Tourism Academy


Speakers:
Milva Ekonomi
Minister of State for Standards and Services, AL
Urs Wagenseil
Expert at GSTC
Gid Shaqiri
Gid Shaqiri
MK Hotels, AL
Randall Durband
Siniša Topalović
Global Head of Tourism Advisory at Horwath HTL, HR
Mattia Wegmann
Mattia Wegmann
Programme Manager at GIZ/SRD, AL
Mattia Wegmann
Roland Plaushi
Founder at Ecotour Albania, AL
Mattia Wegmann
Ermira Shyti
Team Leader of Career Guidance, Intermediation, and Skills Development Outcomes at RisiAlbania, AL
Mattia Wegmann
Auron Pasha
CEO at IDRA Research & Consulting, AL

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Panel 6: Cultural & Active Tourism
Vilma Bello
Rezarta Bare
Tourism Advisor at GIZ Albania, AL


Speakers:
Vilma Bello
Herida Duro
Director of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism & Environment, AL
Vilma Bello
Sonja Kurz
Country Director at GIZ, AL
Vilma Bello
Jasminka Varnalieva
Chief of Party at USAID Economic Development, Governance and Enterprise Growth (EDGE)
Vilma Bello
Jana Apih
Director at Institute factory of Sustainable Tourism, SI
Vilma Bello
Nevila Popa
Senior Expert at Sustainable Tourism Development, AL
Vilma Bello
Elion Çikopano
Entrepreneur at Rock Tirana Climbing Gym, AL
Vilma Bello
Bledar Jubani
Tour Guide and Manager at Kol Gjoni Guesthouse, AL

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Panel 7: Agriculture, Rural & Gastronomy Tourism
Blerina Bombaj
Blerina Bombaj
Moderator - The President of Agritourism Association Albania,


Speakers:
Filippo de Miccolis Angelini
Vilma Bello
Deputy Minister at Ministry of Tourism and Environment, AL
Filippo de Miccolis Angelini
Filippo de Miccolis Angelini
President at Federazione Provinciale Coldiretti Brindisi, IT
Filippo de Miccolis Angelini
Giovanna Ceccherini
Sustainable Tourism and the Mediterranean Diet, IT
Sofjola Kotelli
Sofjola Kotelli
Rural Tourism Leader at GIZ Albania, AL
Shpresim Domi
Shpresim Domi
Lecturer and Researcher at AUT, AL
Altin Prenga
Mrizi i Zanave Agritourism, AL
Dhurata Thanasi Daneri
Luga e Argjente Entrepreneur, AL
Alma Çupi
Journalist at TV Klan, AL
Petrit Fiska
Agripruner at Alpeta Agritourism, AL
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Albania Tourism Week ‘23

FESTA + Expo Tourism

ExpoTourism is a unique exchange platform in the tourism industry, which brings together the demand and supply of all interested parties, where, in addition to doing business, it is also possible to exchange valuable information about the future of tourism in the country, in order to advertise Albania as a destination for tourism for various purposes, in the region and in the world. In this way, we can offer sustainable and long-term tourism throughout the year.

Symphonic Concert Carmina Burana

Opera & Ballet Theatre

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Venue Info

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Dates
Monday - Wednesday
3-5 April 2023
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Location
Palace of Congress,
Tirana, Albania

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