Sazan Island Resort is a proposed luxury tourism development project located on Sazan Island, Albania. Backed by American investor Jared Kushner, the project is valued at approximately â¬1.4 billion and is expected to transform a decommissioned military island into a high-end eco-resort.
Sazan Island, a strategic site in the Ionian Sea, was used as a military base throughout the 20th century by Italian, Soviet, and Albanian forces. In December 2024, the Albanian government declassified the island for civilian use.
The resort is being planned by Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC, affiliated with KushnerâÂÂs private equity firm Affinity Partners. The project was awarded âÂÂStrategic Investorâ status by the Albanian government, allowing for expedited permits and incentives.
The development is expected to include:
The investment is projected to:
Environmental groups have expressed concern over the potential ecological impact. Sazan Island lies within the Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park and is home to rare marine and bird species. Critics argue that the resort could harm biodiversity and marine habitats.
The project is structured as a public-private partnership. The Albanian Investment Corporation and the state-owned Seaports Development Company hold joint oversight of the stateâÂÂs stake in the venture. Strategic investor designation allows the project to bypass certain bureaucratic hurdles.
The Sazan Island Resort is part of a broader regional investment initiative by Kushner, which includes:
Concerns have been raised regarding transparency, environmental impact, and foreign influence in strategic coastal areas. Critics, including some opposition politicians and local NGOs, call for more public scrutiny of the contract and long-term obligations.