FLASH
Shkruar nga Ylli Pata
The opposition mechanisms are there, from public attitudes, interpellations, on-site investigations for the problems that exist in the tourism sector. From prices to services, from evasion to food safety.
For several days now, MPs, columnists and media supporters of the Berishian faction of the opposition have started a narrative, where the conclusion prevails: "the beaches are empty".
This is clearly seen in the videos distributed on the pages of the Democratic Party deputies, the reels of anti-government bloggers, or the columns published in the media close to Berisha.
It seems strange to raise a cause for beach umbrellas in this way. Although, quite normally, the opposition circles, taking breath and vibrations from the concerns of the public, could really open up all the problems that exist in this area of life, which is turning more into an economy, to become an industry, as it has been for years in countries close to us, such as Montenegro or Croatia.
The opposition mechanisms are there, from public attitudes, interpellations, on-site investigations for the problems that exist in the tourism sector. From prices to services, from evasion to food safety. From the behavior towards foreign tourists to their treatment.
By giving the public a fresh material that the audiovisual and online media cannot supply due to a lack of capacity.
Or even dealing with the social aspect of vacations for Albanian citizens, who since 1990 can't do it if they don't have enough income. Because today there are no camping sheets or beach cabins that are given to workers and clerks at reasonable prices.
The narrative is viral and hits a hole: there are no tourists, the beaches are empty!
On the other hand, the majority, starting with Edi Rama, have opposed this narrative, supporting the idea that the beaches are full. Even columnists close to the majority accuse the opposition of blackening tourism and holding anti-Albanian positions. A deputy asked the head of SPAK in the Parliament, if he has information that foreign agencies have entered this mission. No one knew what SPAK has to do with tourism and foreign agencies.
However, this high-level political quarrel, even though it does not make sense in its logic, is keeping almost the whole of July as the main debate agenda.
The reasons seem to find a connection, and these connections come from last year, when tourism revenues brought a real boom in public revenues, not so much as in purchasing power, however there was a correction in employment data as well .
If we come next year with almost the same performance of public revenues, when 2025 is an election year, then the opposition sees it as a big problem, since the majority may have the opportunity to open the bag again for salaries, pensions or similar corrections , and maybe even public investments.
This could also happen, but the opposition hopes and is trying to prevent the repetition of a performance in 2023 with a propaganda virality. Well, what does it harm the opposition, if the income from tourism increases? When he has all the opportunities to fight, even for "life or death" both in Parliament and on the streets, to push for a different use of public income?
Do you remember the state budget sessions? The Assembly was burned because the file "Partizani" was expected, and no one cracked their heads about how the income will be divided, where the expenses will go, and how the salaries and pensions will be increased.
Or, if in the end it doesn't succeed in imposing its proposals, go out in the electoral campaign with a completely different and alternative platform for the administration of these revenues. To convince the Albanians that he will manage the money received from tourism, better, with newer, more efficient ideas.
It happens in every country. In neighboring Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, who ruled for over 25 years, had tourism as his battle horse, and was quite successful in turning it into an industry.
One of his strongest opponents, Dritan Abazovic, who later became prime minister, challenged him precisely with ideas to promote even greater tourism growth. Abazovic himself received the support and was even financed by an important lobby of the tourism industry. When he became prime minister, he made tourism a battle horse, publishing data that he managed to increase income, through new ideas and investments. And he did this from Ulcinj, which was a marginal area for the great tourism of Montenegro, where he started important investments. And in the end it managed to win the municipality, although it is a small party both at the national level and even less at the local level.
Where does the opposition intend to go with the narrative of empty tents? When a good part of DP parliamentarians or politicians either own tourist structures from north to south, or lobby for them. To the only logic they have applied since 2013, where they have divided the country in two: there is a successful Albania according to the majority and a miserable Albania that has emptied the country where it cannot be lived according to the opposition. Although both parties go to the beach on the 15th day of the wedding in Dhërmi e Pala, where they meet together on deckchairs, in luxury restaurants or clubs where Tajna sings.
Lini një Përgjigje