On July 22, 2020, the Albanian Government approved the Integrated Management Plan of Butrint National Park (2020-2030). Funded by the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) and drafted in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (as co-proposers), and other partner institutions such as NAPA, the Institute of Archaeology, AdZM Vlorë, Saranda Port, tourist agencies and guides, and representatives of the local community.
The vision of the Integrated Management Plan is: Butrint National Park will be recognized as a global leader in the sustainable management of mixed cultural and natural sites, becoming the hub of a regional tourism offer, providing a unique visitor experience, involving local communities and national institutions to serve as a model for other parks and sites in Albania.
The first of its kind, the Butrint National Park Integrated Management Plan (2020-2030) has been drafted in full reference with the Law on Cultural Heritage and Museums (27/2018), the Law on Protected Areas (81/2017) and various development strategies approved by the Albanian Government. The plan is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee Decisions and the advisory bodies of the World Heritage Center / UNESCO.
In the long run, this document aims to provide a new approach to heritage sites in the country, addressing issues related to the limitations of management instruments, sustainable development, cultural tourism growth, management capacity building and local communities approach.