Today, September 12, 2025, at Hotel Colombo in Berat, Helvetas and Partners Albania for Change and Development hosted the roundtable “Empowering Regional Partnerships and DMOs”, a strategic event aimed at fostering sustainable tourism development in the Berat region. The gathering brought together representatives from public institutions, local municipalities, and tourism experts to explore the role of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) in shaping innovative and integrated tourism models. Successful examples such as Visit Gjirokastra and Visit Saranda served as inspiration for discussions on public-private collaboration and regional synergy.

The event featured a rich agenda of presentations and dialogue. Opening remarks were delivered by Donald Molishti, Head of Berat County, representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, and Gramos Osmani, Private Sector Lead at Helvetas. Key topics included the integration of DMOs into Albania’s national tourism strategy, the creation of a favorable environment for regional partnerships, and the sharing of best practices in sustainable tourism. Contributions from Eva Kushova, an expert in sustainable tourism and DMO development, and Terena Cardwell from Green Destination Balkan, highlighted the importance of sustainability standards and inclusive stakeholder engagement in destination management.

This initiative is part of the Youth Employment Project, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and reflects a broader commitment to building a sustainable legacy for tourism in Albania. By promoting regional cooperation and showcasing effective DMO models, the roundtable laid the foundation for a tourism approach that delivers long-term economic, environmental, and social benefits to local communities. The open discussion session, which included voices from the private sector and local government, reinforced the shared vision of positioning Berat as a leading destination for sustainable and innovative tourism development.