Back to top

Eco-Tourism Destination Albania (Drilon-Tushemisht)

Drilon-Tushemisht is one of the unmatched areas with natural beauties next to Ohrid Lake. In such a small geographic space are nicely included some of the Albanian nature pearls like: Drilon Springs, Ohrid Lake, typical houses from the area, narrow pedestrian paths, picturesque landscapes, which create a wonderful oasis with multiple tourism development opportunities in the area.  Despite the natural wealthy opportunities the zone can offer, its tourism potentials are yet underdeveloped. The main challenge for the zone is the lack of customized touristic models and other commercialization services. To overcome this challenge, AADF is considering working to design project that includes architectural and development plans for the area. This project is to provoke investments that enhance, promote and activate natural resources of protected that have been untapped, or underutilized.

Latest Updates View All Project News

  • 10.30.2019

    Meeting of the Forum for Coordination and Planning of the project in the area of Drilon- Tushemisht

    Meeting of the Forum for Coordination and Planning of the project in the area of Drilon- Tushemisht

    On October 28, was organized the meeting of the Forum for Coordination and Planning at the Central Level related to the Drafting of the Detailed Plan for the Area of National Importance Drilon–Tushemisht. “The Forum for coordination of planning” is a tool to encourage strategic discussions of the representatives from different local and central government authorities and experts in order to attain coordination of planning issues for the project area. The architects from PROP made a presentation of the project updates and draft urban regulations, and invited all participants in a constructive discussion. At the end of the meeting, the key issues yet to be addressed were shared with all participants for further addressing in their respective institutions. Members of this Forum for coordination of planning are Albanian American Development Foundation, National Agency for Territorial Planning, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Tourism and Environment, National Agency of Protected Areas, Institute of Cultural Monuments, Pogradec Municipality and Albanian Development Fund.

    Detailed description

  • 07.25.2019

    Drilon-Tushemisht Project is discussed on a technical roundtable with Albanian Authorities

    Drilon-Tushemisht Project is discussed on a technical roundtable with Albanian Authorities

    On July 24th, 2019, a technical roundtable was organized at AADF Offices to present the draft design for the Drilon-Tushemisht Waterscape Park Project and discuss the challenges the project is encountering. Present into the roundtables were representatives of AADF, architects hired to design the project, representatives from Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Ministry of Culture representatives National Agency of Territorial Planning, Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Pogradec Municipality. The architects made a presentation of the schematic design and the master plan for the entire area of Drilon-Tushemisht project. AADF is working closely with all relevant authorities at central and local level in order to address at best and provide feedback to all issues raised by the authorities and local communities. The work to detail the project design and the master plan will continue in the coming weeks, and is expected to be completed within fourth quarter of year 2019.

    Detailed description

  • 07.25.2019

    Drilon-Tushemisht Waterscape Park Project Presentation and Consultation with Local Communities & Local Authorities

    Drilon-Tushemisht Waterscape Park Project Presentation and Consultation with Local Communities & Local Authorities

    On July 23rd, 2019, AADF and PROAP, the Portuguese architectural studio hired to design the Drilon-Tushemisht Waterscape Park Project, gave a presentation of the concept design in Drilon to the project affected communities. The architects showed and explained how the project has been developed from the competition phase until today and what are the plans for the future. The participants showed a great interest, asking questions and made comments, which received explanatory feedback by the architects. The public hearings and community consultation process is important for the finalization of the detailed architectural design and masterplan for this area of national importance. The business and local communities in Drilon-Tushemisht area are welcoming this project which supports the sustainable tourism development in such a challenge area.

    Detailed description

  • 10.03.2018

    Exhibition for the Waterscape Park Design for Drilon-Tushemisht

    Exhibition for the Waterscape Park Design for Drilon-Tushemisht

    At the main hall of the National Historical Museum is opened today the Exhibition Waterscape Park Design for Drilon-Tushemisht. In the opening day the exhibition was visited by the AADF Chairman Mr. Michael Granoff, the Minister of Culture, Mrs. Mirela Kumbaro, AADF’s Board Members and Co-CEOs, architects and other stakeholders. The project design proposals by the five internationally known companies who participated in the second phase of WPD Competition for Sustainable Tourism Development of Drilon-Tushemisht are exhibited. The proposals include design posters, descriptive materials, illustrative and descriptive videos, branding strategy and layouts, etc. A special area into the exhibition is dedicated competition process, with information on the competition workshop and site visit, competition evaluation, jury composition, etc.

    Detailed description

  • 09.13.2018

    Architect Competition finalized for Waterscape Park Design for Sustainable Tourism Development of Drilon-Tushemisht

    Architect Competition finalized for Waterscape Park Design for Sustainable Tourism Development of Drilon-Tushemisht

    Albanian-American Development Foundation is pleased to announce that after a very exciting and lasting procedure, the Architectural Competition for the Waterscape Park Design (WPD) of Drilon-Tushemison has finished on September 8, 2018. Five internationally recognized companies participated in the competition second phase, presenting their works in front of a jury composed by distinguished international and local architects, urban planners and business developers. The jury communicated that the winner of the competition is the Portuguese Design Studio PROAP SA. Grimshaw Architects LLP team was awarded the second prize, and AKA Design Firm team received the third prize. PROAP convinced a very diligent Jury of 8 professional judges under the chair of Anna Maria Indrio. Before announcing the winner, the jury chair on behalf of the jury stated: “The jury is very happy with the proposals that beside the preservation of the natural resources, encourage the extensions of existing and development of new businesses. The high quality of project design provided by all competitors has been a great help for the jury work and will be very valuable in the subsequent process. The project proposals were mutual and very different, both in master plan design and in proposals for utilization of the site. The teams brought a variety of solutions to the issues that were raised in the competition brief, and tried to offer customized touch in reshaping and showing site elements that provide a competitive advantage of the area. This gave the jury a valuable, broad clarification of the scope of work and provided the basis for good and thorough discussions. With such wonderful proposals, finding a consensus was not easy for the jury. At the end, the jury was unanimously convinced that PROAP Design Studio provides the most appropriate conceptual design solutions for the area.”

    Detailed description

  • 07.17.2018

    Field Visit – WPD Competition 2nd Phase for preparation of detailed plan and architectonic design for the area Drilon-Tushemisht

    Field Visit – WPD Competition 2nd Phase for preparation of detailed plan and architectonic design for the area Drilon-Tushemisht

    Aleksander Sarapuli, AADF Co-CEO, together with representatives from the five companies shortlisted for the second phase of WPD Competition participated in the site-visit on July 6. In this phase the short-listed companies will compete through their work for preparation of the detailed plan and architectonic design for the area of national importance Drilon-Tushemisht. The 2nd phase short-listed companies are among the best European companies, with outstanding experience in design of projects implemented in areas similar to Drilon-Tushemisht.

    The architects of Grimshaw (UK), Archea (Italy), ProAp (Portugal), Mario Cucinella Architects (Italy), and AKA Studio (Italy), together with their local partners and accompanied by the staff of AADF, Pogradec Municipality and National Territorial Planning Agency had the chance to explore the area and discuss about the project expectation of AADF and its partners from local and central government.

    The competition 2nd Phase where the project ideas will be presented by all short-listed candidates will end in September 2018, with the winner project announcement.

    Detailed description