Rogner meets the first democratically elected government

The only facts that Robert Rogner probably knew about Albania were the stories from the "Land of the Skipetars" by Karl May. Right after the first democratically elected President assumed office, Rogner immediately contacted him and took the chance to get to know the poorhouse of Europe. At that time Albania had no smart shops and about only three automobiles of Chinese make. After thoroughly inspecting the country, the decision was made to develop the Porto Palermo coastal area for tourist purposes.

The first project included a hotel in Tirana, built on a sheep-run right opposite the presidential palace. In spite of being threatened of incapacitation by Albanian bankers but with the help of the EBRD, Rogner finally succeeded in financing the Hotel Europapark, which has long become an international meeting point in the Albanian capital.