Tourism Law in Europe

42 TOURISM LAW IN EUROPE national laws and international biodiversity protection conventions that Albania has ratified. This Protected Area is a candidate for the Emerald site network, which provides shelter to more than 62 species of birds listed in the EU Birds directive. Vjosa River, as one of Europe’s last wild rivers, should receive proper protection status. The National Protected Areas Agency still has very limited capacities and financial instruments57. 4.2.1. OTHER FINANCIAL AND SUPPORT FOR INVESTMENTS IN PRIORITY AREAS FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT Despite of the strategic investments, it is important to mention other incentives for tourism sector as follows58: a) Fiscal incentives to attract quality investments, which includes VAT reduction for accommodation structures from 20% to 6%., VAT 6% and exemption from corporate tax for a 10-year period, for accommodations structures, “4* and 5* hotel/resort, special status”59. Also, exemption from the building tax for accommodations structures, “4* and 5* hotel/resort, special status” and exemption from tax on impact on infrastructure for accommodations structures “and 5* hotel/resort, special status”, represent other fiscal incentives for the sector; b) Incentives for agro-tourism as a growth industry, which include60 VAT reduction for accommodations structures certified as “agro-tourism entities” from 20% to 6%, corporate income tax to be reduced from 15% to 5% and exemption from tax on impact on infrastructure for “agro-tourism entities” which shall perform investments in their scope; c) support for investments in priority areas for tourism development such as the disposal of state immovable property61; and d) Integrated Rural Development Program, which aims to coordinate the development interventions in the rural areas of 100 villages62. 57 Commission Staff Working Document Albania 2021 Report, p. 114, accessed on 25.10.2021. 58 Investment Council Secretariat: “Legal And Institutional Framework On Tourism” by E. Zerva, https://www.investment.com.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/EN_Legal-and-InstitutionalFramework-on-Tourism.pdf, p. 2, accessed on 03.08.2021. 59 Idem. 60 Idem. 61 This also includes the establishment of touristic ports or permanent pits serving as supporting infrastructure and disposal of beach areas for investments near the shores of the sea or lake. 62 Idem.

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