Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s plans to transform an uninhabited Albanian island into a luxury resort destination are running into growing opposition from environmental activists, local residents, and government critics who accuse officials of prioritizing foreign investment over conservation.
The project, which would be on Sazan Island off Albania’s southern coast, would involve approximately $1.6 billion in development and create a sprawling luxury resort featuring more than 10,000 hotel rooms. While supporters see the investment as a potential economic boon, opponents have staged demonstrations across the country, warning that the project could permanently alter one of the region’s most environmentally sensitive areas.
Sazan Island, Albania’s only island, sits at the entrance to the Bay of Vlorë and has remained largely undeveloped for decades. Once used for military purposes during both the Italian occupation and Albania’s communist era, the island has remained largely off-limits to commercial development and is known for its relatively untouched natural environment.
According to reports, Kushner first became interested in the island after seeing it while vacationing aboard a yacht owned by financier Nathaniel Rothschild. The project is being pursued through Atlantic Incubation Partners, an investment vehicle linked to Kushner.
The proposal has generated fierce opposition from environmental groups, who argue that the island and surrounding waters host significant biodiversity. Conservation advocates point to the presence of protected wetlands, sea turtle nesting grounds, seals, and migratory bird populations.
Prior to the approval of the project, portions of the area were protected as part of Albania’s national park system, with environmental restrictions limiting large-scale development.
Critics argue that those protections were weakened after the Albanian government granted Kushner’s company “strategic investor” status following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2024. The designation streamlined approvals and reduced regulatory obstacles that had previously prevented development proposals from moving forward.
The timing of those approvals has fueled allegations of political favoritism and corruption among opponents, who question whether the project would have received similar treatment without the involvement of individuals closely tied to the American president.
Protests have taken place both along Albania’s coastline and in the capital city of Tirana, with demonstrators carrying signs opposing the development and demanding greater transparency from the government.
Despite the backlash, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has enthusiastically backed the project and dismissed concerns that it will damage the environment.
“There is absolutely no chance that the investment will stop as long as I am here,” Rama reportedly said, arguing that the development can coexist with environmental protection efforts.
Supporters of the project contend that luxury tourism represents a major opportunity for Albania’s economy. They argue that high-end international tourism could generate jobs, attract foreign investment, and further raise the country’s profile as an emerging Mediterranean destination.
Critics remain unconvinced.
Whether the protests ultimately alter the course of the project remains uncertain. For now, construction plans continue to move forward with the backing of Albania’s government, even as opposition grows among activists determined to preserve one of the country’s last unspoiled coastal treasures.
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