Since December 2021, Mr. Lazimi holds the position of the Managing Partner of Horwath HTL — ALBANIA. Previously, he has held important positions such as: Economic Adviser to the President of the Republic of Albania; Deputy Minister of European Integration; CEO of Albanian Post; Chief of Cabinet to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy; Economic Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Business Development Manager for a regional consulting company in the Western Balkans etc.

During his term in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy, Mr. Lazimi presided over the TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline — gas pipeline) project’s host government agreement (HGA) and international government agreement (IGA) negotiations on behalf of the Albanian government with the TAP AG – for Albania’s largest infrastructure investment project.

In his capacity as Managing Partner of Horwath HTL Albania, Mr. Lazimi has been involved as project manager in tourism advisory and hospitality projects, working with public, private and international donors’ clients. He has been invited as speaker in various international tourism and hospitality conferences and forums.

Also, he is actively engaged in Governing structures of Mediterranean Tourism Foundation. Mr. Lazimi has a Master of Science and B.A degree from Eastern Mediterranean University, and professional certificates from University of Cambridge, Cornell University, Queen’s University (Canada), Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

Countries of work experience: Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus.

Relevant professional experience: Mr. Lazimi has a considerable experience related to tourism and hospitality industry strategic advisory and market studies. Mr. Lazimi is one of the key experts involved in drafting the “Albanian National Tourism Strategy 2024-2030”. He has been engaged as key expert (including KSA — Ministry of Tourism Project) or as Project Manager in several domestic and international projects.

Besides his excellent managerial experience, Mr. Lazimi has extensive stakeholder engagement and strategic negotiation and operational skills. In the recent tourism advisory and hospitality projects, Mr. Lazimi has been engaged in tourism strategy and market research; development of tourism master plans; destination marketing, branding and visibility strategies; Investment plans; tourism product plans as well as strategic and operational marketing plans; feasibility and market studies; bankable business plans; hotel brand/operator search etc.