Jared Kushner: Tourism mega project of Trump's son-in-law in Albania - Environmental organizations react

The area where the development is planned includes untouched beaches, sand dunes and coastal forests, and is home to rare and endangered species of fauna.

Kushner, as reported in an extensive report by the Washington Post, has visited Albania frequently in recent years, and as he stated, the natural beauty and uniqueness of the coastline impressed him deeply. In one of his interviews, he expressed his admiration for the landscape, which he described as "magnificent" and "natural".

"It's a place where people would want to be," he said, adding that the area could make an "incredible base" for his plans to create luxury accommodation.

This development will be implemented with the help of private investment capital, managed by Kushner. This capital, amounting to about 3 billion dollars, is financed mainly by investors from Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. His aim is to bring international tourism to an area he believes has huge growth potential, despite a long period of stagnation following the 1990s.

However, Kushner's plan has met with serious opposition, particularly from environmental groups. These organizations warn that the construction of luxury homes, hotels and other tourist infrastructure can destroy the ecosystem of the area, which is considered one of the most important in the Adriatic Sea. Zvernets is a refuge for many species of birds, such as pelicans and flamingos, which use the area as a stopover on their migration routes.

One of the project's most vocal critics is Ryan Gellert, CEO of Patagonia. In a statement, Gellert said that this area is unique in the Mediterranean and its development without a well thought out and sustainable plan could have disastrous consequences for the environment. He added that "this rare land must be protected and not given over to luxury tourism projects".

Kushner himself, for his part, insists that his work will be sustainable and respect environmental requirements. He argues that his goal is not only to attract high-income tourists, but also to create jobs and boost the local economy. "This development will bring prosperity to the region, providing new opportunities for local people," Kushner said, promising that best practices for environmental protection would be adopted.

Albania, one of the most pro-American countries in the world, has been a magnet for Kushner as the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama has expressed strong interest in promoting tourism investment. Rama is committed to promoting economic development through high-scale tourism projects, and his partnership with Kushner fits into that strategy. The government, in fact, has proceeded with amendments to the legislation to facilitate the development of tourist infrastructure, causing concerns for the protection of the natural environment.

At the same time, Kushner, while admitting that he has benefited from the relationships he developed during his time in the Trump administration, denies that he exploits those relationships for personal gain. "I'm not selling my services as a consultant," he said, "I'm an investor who wants to bring about positive change." However, the financing of his work by sovereign wealth funds of countries with which he worked as a government official has drawn criticism and concerns about conflicts of interest.

Kushner's desire to invest in Albania is part of a broader strategy that includes partnerships with former President Trump-friendly Balkan governments. This cooperation has provoked strong reactions, with many arguing that the development of tourism projects in environmentally sensitive areas such as Zvernets can lead to irreparable damage.

Kushner, however, remains optimistic and insists his project will be an example of how economic development and environmental protection can coexist. "Albania has huge potential and I am convinced that we can create something truly unique here," he said.

This case has brought to the surface the challenges faced by developing countries countries like Albania, when they try to balance between economic development and the preservation of their natural wealth. The region of Zvernets, with its wild beauty and ecological importance, is now at the center of a controversy concerning both the future of the Albanian economy and the world's environmental heritage.

The coming months will be crucial as the decisions taken will determine the future of the region. If project planners and government officials fail to find the golden ratio between development and environmental protection, Albania may face serious environmental challenges.

The international community is watching the developments with interest, as Kushner's work could be a precursor to similar investments in other developing regions of the Mediterranean and beyond. In a world where tourism infrastructure is constantly expanding, the balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly difficult, but also more necessary than ever.