The quiet coastal town of Zanzur, Albania, has erupted into protest this week over a luxury resort project backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump. The development, which promises to transform a stretch of pristine beach into a gated community for the super-rich, has drawn sharp criticism from local residents and activists who say it will price them out of their own land. British investors, many of whom have poured money into Albanian real estate in recent years, are now watching anxiously as the situation escalates.
The protests began on Monday when hundreds of locals gathered outside the construction site, waving banners that read “This land is ours” and “No to gentrification”. They argue that the resort will destroy the natural environment and divert resources away from local infrastructure. “We don’t need five-star hotels. We need clean water and better wages,” said Elira Gjini, a 48-year-old teacher who joined the demonstration. “This project is for the rich. It has nothing to do with us.”
The Kushner-backed venture, known as the “Albanian Riviera Project”, is part of a wider push by foreign investors to develop the country’s coastline. Albania has become a hotspot for international capital in recent years, with property prices rising sharply in popular tourist areas. British investors, attracted by low taxes and cheap land, have been among the most active. But the protests highlight a growing backlash against what many see as a sell-off of national assets.
“This is a classic case of regional inequality,” said Dr. Besnik Pula, an economist at the University of Tirana. “The benefits of this development will flow to a small elite, while ordinary Albanians struggle with high unemployment and stagnant wages. The government needs to ensure that local communities see a tangible benefit from these projects, or the anger will only grow.”
For British investors, the situation is a reminder of the risks involved in frontier markets. Many entered Albania seeking high returns but now face the prospect of delays, legal challenges, and reputational damage. “We are watching closely,” said a London-based fund manager who asked not to be named. “If the protests continue, it could spook other investors. This is a test case for the whole region.”
The Albanian government has defended the project, arguing that it will create jobs and boost tourism. But critics say the jobs will be low-paid and temporary. “They promise hundreds of construction jobs, but once the resort is built, those jobs disappear,” said Gjini. “What we need is sustainable development that benefits everyone, not just the wealthy.”
The standoff shows no signs of ending. Protesters have vowed to block access to the site until their demands are met. Meanwhile, British investors are left to weigh the risks of continuing their involvement. For the people of Zanzur, the fight is about more than a resort: it is about who has the right to shape their future.
