At the peak of the 2024 tourist season, Albania is facing a deep crisis that threatens not only the environment and public health, but also the very foundations of the tourism industry. The long-standing problem of wastewater management has taken on a new dimension, highlighting a bitter reality: businesses are being asked to pay double for a service that the state has failed to provide, despite taxes collected for this purpose.
Double taxation: When the state fails, businesses pay
At the heart of this crisis lies a painful paradox. For more than a decade, hotels and other tourist businesses have paid taxes dedicated to treating sewage. These funds, collected by the state with the promise of investments in the necessary infrastructure, seem to have disappeared without a trace. Now, 11 years later, those same businesses are being asked to pay out of pocket to install individual wastewater treatment systems.
Enri Jahja, the president of the Association of Bars and Restaurants, describes the situation as "arbitrary" and "a complete failure of the state". He adds: "For years we have paid taxes for a service we never received. Now we are asked to act as if the state does not exist and everyone pays for themselves. This is unacceptable."
Normative Act: Solution or new burden?
In January of this year, the government approved a normative act that requires all entities operating in coastal areas, near lakes or rivers, to install wastewater treatment plants within a 90-day period. This decision, made without sufficient consultation with the private sector, has fueled anger and confusion.
The cost of installing these plants, which goes up to 100,000 euros per business, is an unbearable burden for many small and medium-sized operators, especially in the middle of the tourist season when liquidity is critical.
The harsh reality: Big investments, little results
The irony of the situation becomes even deeper when we see that Albania has already invested considerable amounts in the infrastructure of wastewater treatment. According to official data, around 112 million euros have been invested in various plants over the last few years. However, the results of these investments remain unclear.
Despite these significant investments, the situation on the ground shows that the wastewater problem remains acute, raising serious questions about the efficiency of the investments made and the management of public funds.
Environmental and economic consequences: An endless chain of problems
As the debate over financial responsibility continues, the consequences of inaction become increasingly apparent:
Damage to the marine ecosystem
Environmental experts have raised the alarm about the irreparable damage being caused to marine biodiversity. Polluted waters disrupt almost all links of the underwater food chain, causing imbalances in populations of fish and other marine life.
Risk to public health
Beyond the ecological damage, the discharge of sewage into bathing areas poses a direct risk to the health of vacationers. Exposure to polluted water can cause a wide range of health problems, from simple infections to more serious gastrointestinal and dermatological diseases.
The impact on the image of Albanian tourism
Perhaps the most serious long-term consequence of this situation is the damage caused to Albania's reputation as a tourist destination. In the age of social media and online reviews, news of dirty beaches spreads quickly, undermining years of marketing efforts and investment in the tourism industry.
Possible solutions: A balanced and fair approach
Faced with this complex situation, it is clear that a new approach is needed that addresses both the urgency of the problem and the unfairness of the financial burden. Some steps that can be taken include:
1. Full audit of collected funds: A full investigation is needed to understand where the taxes collected for sewage treatment in the last 11 years have gone.
2. Compensation for businesses: The government should consider compensating businesses for taxes paid without receiving the service, or offering tax credits for the investments they will make in the new systems.
3. Public-private partnership: Instead of placing the burden entirely on businesses, a model should be created where the state and the private sector share responsibility and costs.
4. Short-term emergency plan: While working on a long-term solution, an immediate plan is needed to minimize pollution during the current tourist season.
5. Legal and institutional reform: A complete review of the legal and institutional framework for wastewater management is needed to ensure transparency and efficiency in the future.
A call for justice and action
The wastewater crisis in Albania is not just an environmental or infrastructural problem. It is a reflection of weak governance, lack of transparency and failure to protect the interests of businesses and citizens.
As the 2024 tourist season continues, Albania is at a critical crossroads. Solving this crisis requires more than just technical measures; it requires a redefinition of the relationship between the state and business, between promises and actions.
It is time for the state to accept its responsibility for the current situation and work closely with the private sector to find solutions that are not only efficient, but also fair. Only through a balanced, transparent and inclusive approach can we hope to preserve the natural beauty of our coast, protect public health and ensure a sustainable future for the tourism industry.
The challenge is great, but the cost of inaction is even greater. With immediate, fair and well-thought-out action, Albania still has the opportunity to turn this crisis into an opportunity for positive change, becoming a model of good governance and sustainable management of the coastal environment.
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