New rules for beach resorts, maximum prices set, including the river

The Council of Ministers today approved several amendments and additions to decision no. 649, dated October 16, 2024, "On the approval of the regulation on the conditions and criteria for exercising the activity of the beach station", with the aim of improving the management of coastal areas and strengthening the role of local self-government units.

The changes foresee, among other things, the creation of a new typology, that of the public beach charged by local self-government units (LGUs), which will be administered by municipalities or entities created by them and where the delegation of management to private entities is prohibited. These spaces will offer defined safety and hygiene conditions for vacationers.

The decision also expands the scope of application of the regulation by including, in addition to the sea and lakes, the river, as a space where beach station activities can be carried out.

An important innovation is also the determination of maximum prices for beach services. According to the decision, municipal councils, before the start of each tourist season, may approve maximum prices for each coastal area. In the absence of such a decision, the price will be agreed between the municipality and the private entity, respecting the principles of competition and the public interest. Exceeding the maximum prices will be considered a breach of contract.

Also in the decision, the maximum prices are determined in a differentiated manner according to areas, taking into account the level of tourist development, accessibility, intensity of demand, service standard and public interest. The agreed maximum prices become an integral and binding part of the contract signed between the local self-government unit, the National Coastal Agency and the private entity and cannot be exceeded during the entire period of validity of the contract. Exceeding the maximum prices constitutes a contractual breach and a reason for imposing administrative measures and/or terminating the contract.

The changes also affect the composition and functioning of the Tourist Season Management Committee, which will be chaired by the minister responsible for tourism and will include representatives of several key ministries, as well as local government.

The entities provided for by the law submit the application request to the “e-Albania” portal, together with the documentation that proves the fulfillment of the criteria provided for in this regulation. The maximum number of umbrellas that can be placed at the beach station near the service structure is 50.

The entity that disposes of a rented accommodation structure, in the event of its termination, has the obligation to immediately notify the AKB and constitutes a cause for termination of the contract.

For contracts concluded with private entities for the operation of beach stations, the local self-government unit may negotiate with the private entity the maximum prices that will be applied for the service of umbrellas and sun loungers, in accordance with the specific characteristics of the respective coastal area.

The decision also provides for clearer rules on noise levels on beaches, obliging local self-government units to publish detailed plans for each beach before the start of the summer season.

For certain coastal areas, including beaches in Fier, Divjakë, Durrës, Vlorë, Himara and Shkodra, exceptions to some criteria have been provided for beach stations that do not have accommodation structures nearby.

The ministry responsible for tourism, the National Coastal Agency, inspection structures and local self-government units are responsible for the implementation of this decision, which enters into force after publication in the "Official Gazette".

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