Tamara is one of the pearls of the Albanian Alps. It is becoming one of the most powerful economic sources for its two thousand inhabitants, and a precious asset of national tourism. Tamara was the first stop of the Prime Minister Edi Rama in the Highlands of Kelmend.

Before the Program of Urban Revival reached it, Tamara was a natural beauty but at the same time a testimony of the neglect for over two decades and of the lack of vision to develop it as such. Tamara has today a new promenade stretching for 5 thousand square metres along the river Cem. In addition, the roofs of the buildings in the centre of the town have been reconstructed and their facades repaired, and trees have been planted around the promenade. An investment of 56 million ALL combines the natural landscape with the alpine features of the area. Works are being carried out to build a lighting system, which will be on the ground, under the roof shelters, and along the promenade.

Prime Minister Rama noted that the government has a clear project for tourism in these areas. The road construction and interventions made in Tamara have had an immediate impact, with the multiplication of the number of visitors. Urban Revival has restored for Tamara and its residents hope to transform its natural beauty in the real sustainable development of the area.

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Vermosh is another point of attraction of mountain tourism in Albania. But, despite the road being only 70 kilometres long, the trip from Koplik to Shkoder and then to Vermosh would take approximately four strenuous hours. Currently, work is being carried out for the second road lot, from Tamare to Vermosh. Once this road segment is completed, less than 90 minutes will be required to reach Vermosh, in addition to enjoying an impressive scenery. From the panoramic balconies designed along the whole route, visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the Highlands of Kelmend, and also receive information on the geography, history and culture of this area.

“You can find these touristic elements along the whole road, and this is a novelty that has accompanied the development of the whole area. There are some stops, some panoramic points, where tourists come and see the centres we have restructured, and those under construction in Tamare and Vermosh. At the same time, they are informed about the history and culture of this area, and its natural beauty”, Benet Beci, Director of the Albanian Fund financing the project said.

According to the Prime Minister, this project integrates many elements that enhance the tourist offer and the economic development of both this area and nationwide. The construction of the road to Tamare has increased the number of tourists many times, and the same is expected to occur in Vermosh after the completion of the entire road.

“Some 3 and a half to 4 hours would take it to cross this 70-kilometre road, from the centre of the new Municipality of the Great Highlands to Koplik, and then to Vermosh. Now, thanks to this project, it will take approximately 90 minutes. This is a huge help for us in order to continue with the project of tourism development here. As we have seen, the impact has been immediate in terms of the increased flow of visitors, thanks to the interventions made so far in this road and in Tamare. Following these interventions, both from the government and private enterprises, I am convinced that this area will be totally transformed within 5 years, both in terms of tourism and of the national economy. The economy of families will improve year after year thanks to tourism, and this is already happening. We will respond to the increased number of tourists with a new infrastructure to be developed by the private enterprise, for the current accommodation capacities of the area are not enough for what we expect from our development plan”.

The project of Urban Revival will be extended also to Vermosh. In a meeting with residents and MPs, the Prime Minister noted that every element of the area maximizing the impact in terms of tourism and economic growth for the families of the area must be taken into account.