Organized by the Kosovo Tourism Union and supported by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade through the KIESA and other supporting partners of the tourism sector, this event is a platform that brings together industry leaders, experts, businesses and stakeholders from different countries aimed at strengthening the tourism sector.
Minister Hajdari, together with the Minister of Justice and Human and Minority Rights of Montenegro, Fatmir Gjeka, the Mayor of Prishtina, Përparim Rama, the Mayor of Ulcinj, Genc Nimanbegu, the President of the Kosovo Tourism Union, Baki Hoti, the President of the Albanian Tourism Union, Rrahman Rasa, the diplomatic representative from the Croatian Embassy in Kosovo, Nedjeljko Špilek and numerous other tourism stakeholders, visited a total of 340 participating businesses from Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Austria, Greece and Turkey, and met with tourism experts from Switzerland, Sweden, Canada and beyond.
During this governing mandate, the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade has approved the first strategy, the law and bylaws, as well as programs for the development of tourism, to ensure that Kosovo becomes a sustainable and competitive tourist destination in the Western Balkans by 2030.
The Minister informed the attendees about some of the reforms and measures of the Kosovo Tourism Strategy 2030, which have recently been included in the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, in addition to the Joint Regional Market Action Plan (CRM2) and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).
Hajdari further highlighted the benefits of supporting measures for quality tourism, which will help facilitate the development of the Western Balkans tourism ecosystem, by integrating regional tourism stakeholders into all EU mechanisms.
The EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans aims to support the transition towards a greener, more digital and resilient tourism industry and to increase skills – including those of groups with difficulties in employment – in line with the Transition Path for Tourism developed by the European Commission in close cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem, as well as the European Agenda for Tourism 2030 developed by Member States in cooperation with the European Commission.
Kosovo, with its great potential for natural and cultural tourism, has achieved a trend of 50% increase in the number of tourists during the years 2021-2024, compared to the years 2017-2020.
Finally, Minister Hajdari expressed the commitment of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MIET) to continue financial support in the implementation of the Kosovo Tourism Strategy 2030 through the implementation of support programs for the development of quality and sustainable tourism, as well as through the Innovation Fund within the new Agency for Innovation and Enterprise Support.
