What began as a chance yacht stop has turned into one of Albania’s most controversial development projects. A planned $5 billion luxury tourism complex backed by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner is facing growing opposition from environmental groups and local activists, with protests continuing for more than two weeks.

The project centers on Sazan Island, a largely undeveloped island off Albania’s southern coast that has long remained closed to large-scale tourism. According to Ivanka Trump, the family discovered the island “completely by accident” during a yacht trip and immediately saw its potential as a luxury destination.

Plans call for a network of high-end resorts and hotels that could dramatically transform the island and surrounding coastline. Supporters argue the investment would boost tourism, create jobs, and strengthen Albania’s position as an emerging Mediterranean destination.

However, environmental organizations warn that the development threatens one of the region’s most intact ecosystems. The area lies close to protected habitats that support flamingos, Mediterranean monk seals, sea turtles, and numerous marine species. Conservation experts fear that construction, increased visitor traffic, and infrastructure expansion could cause long-term damage, with some impacts potentially impossible to reverse.

The controversy has attracted international attention as Albania continues its efforts to join the European Union. The European Commission has already indicated that environmental implications of the project will require careful scrutiny as part of the country’s accession process.

Despite mounting criticism, Albanian authorities have shown little indication that they intend to halt the development. Officials have emphasized the economic benefits of foreign investment and tourism growth, while insisting that environmental assessments will be conducted as required.

The Sazan Island project is not the only major coastal development attracting attention in Southern Europe. Similar debates have emerged in destinations such as Portugal and Spain, where authorities have invested heavily in beach restoration and tourism infrastructure while facing increasing pressure to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

For many protesters, the debate goes beyond a single resort project. It has become a test of how Albania intends to manage its natural heritage as international investors increasingly target some of the Mediterranean’s last relatively untouched coastal areas.