Albania

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Gjirokastra, July 16, 2010 – The Mayor of Gjirokastra, the Ambassador of Spain and the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Albania and local partners participated today in the inauguration of the city’s new tourism information centre located in the heart of the historic city and World Heritage Site. The Gjirokastra Tourism Information Office will serve the needs of the growing number of foreign and domestic visitors to the city known as`the stone city`.

Another tourist attraction in the old bazaar of Gjirokastra that was also formally opened was the first artisan ‘incubator’, which hosts old masters teaching the younger generation the artisan techniques along with artisan shops showcasing traditional hand-made products from around Albania.

Located in the traditional Omarate House, a historic building renovated through the support of the United Nations Joint Programme on Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development, the artisan incubator has been established in cooperation with Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization, a local NGO that works to preserve, revitalize and promote the historic city of Gjirokastra.

Speaking during the inauguration, Mayor of Gjirokastra, Flanur Bima, amongst others commented: “Today marks the fifth anniversary of Gjirokastra’s clasification as a World Heritage site. The opening of the Tourist Information Office is an important step in meeting the needs of the increasing numbers of tourist who are now visiting our city each year. I would like to thank the United Nations and the Government of Spain for their commitment to tourism development in Gjirokastra, and look forward to further colaborations in the future.”

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Albania, Gülden Türköz Cosslett, who was in attendance said: “Albania’s Culture and Heritage is an important asset supporting the social and economic development of the country. The opening of the Gjirokastra Tourist Information Centre and the the artisans incubator today – on the five year anniversary of the city’s inclusion in the world heritage site - all contribute to making the region’s cultural sites accessible, vibrant living places offering educational and aesthetic experiences to visitors and sustainable source of income for the local community”

The Ambassador of Spain, Manuel Montobbio, who was also present at the inauguration, noted: ‘’the promotion of culture and conservation of cultural heritage constitutes an essential element and has a direct effect on development. The Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development Programme responds to the ambition to promote a qualitative step forward in the state of culture and heritage in Albania as a contribution to the country’s development.”

Ambassador Montobbio went on to comment: “Gjirokastra occupies a privileged place in Albania’s heritage as has been internationally recognized by the concession of the status of UNESCO´s World Heritage whose fifth anniversary we celebrate today. It is a pleasure to contribute to it through the Spanish MDG Fund by providing Gjirokastra with its first artisan incubator and tourism information centre”.

Funded by the Government of Spain through the Spanish Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund, the Joint Programme aims at boosting the country’s social and economic development through its rich culture and heritage. Gjirokastra’s tourism information office and the artisan incubator represent an investment that amounts to USD 70,000.

With an overall budget of USD 3,2 million and implemented jointly by UNESCO and UNDP, the programme also assists cultural institutions in Albania to strengthen their capacities in the fields of culture and heritage management, identifying new mechanisms for the sustainable financing of cultural sites and institutions.

The Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development Programme (CHSED) supports the efforts of the Government of Albania in harnessing the potential of Albania’s cultural heritage in order to strengthen the country’s national identity, create economic opportunities for poor and rural communities, enhance investment, and position the country positively in Europe and the rest of the world.

Photo: Mayor of Gjirokastra, Flamur Bima (right) speaking during the opening of the Gjirokastra Tourist Information Centre with the Ambassador of Spain, Manuel Montobbio (left) and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Albania, Gülden Türköz Cosslett (Centre).

For more information please contact:

Nora Kushti, UNDP Communications Manager. Contact details: nora.kushti@undp.org and/or 0692090253.