Prime Minister Edi Rama has accused ongoing protests against a planned luxury resort development in Zvërnec of damaging the country's tourism sector, warning that foreign visitors have begun canceling reservations ahead of the peak summer season.

Speaking on his podcast "Flasim," Rama said tourism operators across Albania have reported a rise in booking cancellations over the past two weeks, which he linked to a series of demonstrations held in Tirana against both the controversial coastal development project and his government.

The protests, which have entered their third week, have drawn activists, opposition supporters and civil society groups concerned about the environmental and economic impact of the proposed resort in Zvërnec, a coastal area in southern Albania known for its natural landscape and biodiversity.

Rama argued that while some demonstrators are genuinely concerned about the project's future, others are using the issue to pursue broader political objectives. He claimed that the dominant voices within the movement are seeking to obstruct development and create political instability.

"The direct consequence is the cancellation of reservations by foreign tourists," Rama said, adding that hotel owners, restaurant operators and other businesses dependent on tourism have expressed concern over the potential impact on the summer season.

According to the prime minister, tourism stakeholders in coastal cities such as Vlora and Durrës have organized awareness campaigns urging protesters to avoid actions that could discourage visitors and negatively affect local economies.

Rama also criticized what he described as increasingly hostile rhetoric surrounding the demonstrations, accusing some activists of engaging in online harassment and intimidation campaigns against public figures perceived as unsupportive of the protests.