CNVP Albania organized yesterday a hands-on training in Dibër as part of the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT) funded project “Sustainable use of natural resources for transboundary socio-economic development of protected areas in North Macedonia and Albania”. The purpose of the training was to help local tourism service providers improve the quality of their services while also understanding the importance of protecting biodiversity in the protected area.

Ten participants joined the session, including tourist guides, guesthouse owners, staff from the Dibër Municipality tourism office, an info point specialist, and a campsite operator. All of them work directly with visitors and play an important role in promoting responsible tourism in the region.

During the training, participants discussed how biodiversity protection can support rural tourism and create more opportunities for local families. They also talked about how to offer better services to tourists, how to guide different types of groups safely, and how to share useful information about the area’s natural values. The session also included basic knowledge on collecting and cultivating aromatic and medicinal plants, which are an important income source for many families in the region. Another part of the training focused on simple marketing and product packaging ideas that can help local producers increase their income.

The discussions were active, and participants shared their experiences and everyday challenges. One major concern that came out strongly was the issue of waste left behind by visitors inside the protected area. Participants agreed that this problem needs more attention and better cooperation between local authorities, the community, and tourism operators.

Overall, the training highlighted that nature-based tourism is a strong opportunity for the villages around Korab–Koritnik. With better knowledge and a stronger focus on protecting nature, local service providers can offer higher-quality experiences to visitors while supporting both the environment and the local economy.