by Paul la Vella
A boost in the number of people flying into a new airport close to an established tourist destination will normally mean a jump in tourism - but when the established airport is nearly three hours away and the new one fifteen minutes it's almost bound to see a higher than normal increase in tourism.
And that's exactly what is happening to Andorra, the tiny tax haven set in the European Pyrenees, and home to some of the best ski runs in Europe.
Up to now a drawback that Andorra has had is the distance from a major airport, two and a half hours drive to Barcelona in Spain or Toulouse in France, with some ski holidays starting with a night in one of the Barcelona hotels before setting off for Andorra.
But that is set to change with agreement for an aiport to be built just fifteen minutes drive from the Spanish / Andorra border.
As well as the extra ski tourists the new airport will impact Andorra as a tax haven. Andorra and the more famous Monaco are Europe's leading tax havens, with residents enjoying the benefit of no income tax. Property prices in Andorra are less than a third of the price of Monaco's.
Commenting on the new airport, one Andorra estate agent who specialises in Andorra property for sale thinks that the prices of Andorra properties will rise.
'At the moment Monaco has the advantage of being ten minutes away from an international airport by helicopter, while Andorra is over two hours. With that advantage gone we anticipate more people considering a tax haven will consider Andorra, with a resulting appreciation in real estate prices.'
Property in Andorra has risen an average of ten per cent a year in recent years, with three streams of buyers - the local market, buyers for ski holiday homes who are often on a Crystal Ski holiday and like Andorra enough to buy a holiday home, plus those looking for a tax haven.
The airport is to be located in Seu d'Urgell, and the first flights are anticipated to be in 2010 or 2011, with a runway of 4,500 feet - not long enough for some medium range aircraft, and it is likely that most commercial airlines using the airport will be 60 to 80 seaters, plus private jets much favoured by the wealthy who might now consider Andorra as a viable tax haven.
As well as being welcomed by the property business in Andorra, a new airport has been greeted enthusiastically by the skiing industry.
Ski Andorra companies have upgraded facilities in recent years, and Andorra often competes as a top ski destination in Europe, with well known ski companies like Crystal Ski operating holidays for the British market.
In the last decade the number of tourists for the Andorra ski holiday season has topped ten million visitors a year, and the ski industry is an important part of the country's economy, with the government investing in new infrastructure to help tempt visitors back for skiing for repeat visits.
However last year was the worst season for decades as the snow, which normally falls from end October, didn't arrive until mid March, and the first drop in the number of ski holidays in Andorra being sold by British and other European travel agents dropped from the previous ski season for some years.
The new airport cutting travelling time from the UK, one of the Andorra ski holiday's main markets, could boost the occupancy levels of hotels in Andorra significantly.
'When people are considering a ski holiday in Andorra', comment one travel guide, 'At the moment to reach Soldeu, one of Andorra top ski villages, it's two and a half hours from Barcelona to the capital la Vella, and then another twenty minutes on top of that - nearly a three hour trip after a flight. Cutting down resort arrival time from three to one hour will be enough to influence some people's decision on where to visit.'
Recent investment by the government has reached several million Euros designed to keep the country in line with other European winter destinations, and intended to make Andorra a natural choice for the ski and snowboard fraternity, the addition of an airport close to her border could help ensure that.
2011 can't come soon enough for Andorra and the ski resort of Soldeu and Pas de la Casa.
About the Author
For holiday information about Andorra, including the hotels and ski holidays visit YourAndorra.com
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Why Buy Real Estate in Egypt?
by Rhiannon Williamson
Egypt may seem like an exceptionally unusual choice as a location in which to invest in real estate - sure, it's a great vacation location with its 7,000 years of history, its near perfect year round climate, stunning beaches and beautiful diving...but what does it have to offer someone wanting to invest in real estate as a commodity?
The answer is - Egypt is actually fast moving from being an emerging real estate market place to a well established one because the levels of foreign direct investment into the real estate sector have increased based on some excellent fundamentals.
For example, Egypt is now considered to be a politically stable country and one that is absolutely pro-western, meaning that an investor can be confident in the political stability, will and vision of the nation. Next up, the economy in Egypt is going from strength to strength. According to The Economist magazine GDP grew by 5% in 2005, almost 7% in 2006 and is on target for over 7% growth in 2007.
A strong economy gives confidence to investors as well - but it also means local people have more buying power which creates the perfect environment for house prices to rise in value and an investor's real estate assets to appreciate.
Aside from these excellent foundations on which an investor can build confidence there are some travel and tourism angles you might like to consider when thinking about whether Egypt is worth a closer look as a place to invest your hard earned dollars into immovable property.
First up there's excellent statistical news and data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, they say Egypt is on track for enjoying 21.4 billion US dollars worth of economic activity from the tourism market in 2007 and that the nation's travel and tourism growth rate is expected to hit almost 8% this year before averaging around 5 and a half % per annum until 2017.
Clearly there will be massive rental demand for accommodation that a property investor who buys well located real estate can benefit from. Boosting this demand is Egypt's exceptional climate and the fact the nation is now cheaply and swiftly accessible from Europe and the UK thanks to cheap flight operators.
Finally, if you want more reasons why to buy real estate in Egypt think about the fact there are no capital gains or death/inheritance taxes in Egypt and the government has now made it easy and safe for foreign buyers to own a home or multiple real estate assets in Egypt and surely you have enough evidence to support taking a closer look at the Egyptian property market.
About the Author
Rhiannon Williamson writes about property investment worldwide, to read more about property investment in Egypt visit her site http://www.amberlamb.com
Egypt may seem like an exceptionally unusual choice as a location in which to invest in real estate - sure, it's a great vacation location with its 7,000 years of history, its near perfect year round climate, stunning beaches and beautiful diving...but what does it have to offer someone wanting to invest in real estate as a commodity?
The answer is - Egypt is actually fast moving from being an emerging real estate market place to a well established one because the levels of foreign direct investment into the real estate sector have increased based on some excellent fundamentals.
For example, Egypt is now considered to be a politically stable country and one that is absolutely pro-western, meaning that an investor can be confident in the political stability, will and vision of the nation. Next up, the economy in Egypt is going from strength to strength. According to The Economist magazine GDP grew by 5% in 2005, almost 7% in 2006 and is on target for over 7% growth in 2007.
A strong economy gives confidence to investors as well - but it also means local people have more buying power which creates the perfect environment for house prices to rise in value and an investor's real estate assets to appreciate.
Aside from these excellent foundations on which an investor can build confidence there are some travel and tourism angles you might like to consider when thinking about whether Egypt is worth a closer look as a place to invest your hard earned dollars into immovable property.
First up there's excellent statistical news and data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, they say Egypt is on track for enjoying 21.4 billion US dollars worth of economic activity from the tourism market in 2007 and that the nation's travel and tourism growth rate is expected to hit almost 8% this year before averaging around 5 and a half % per annum until 2017.
Clearly there will be massive rental demand for accommodation that a property investor who buys well located real estate can benefit from. Boosting this demand is Egypt's exceptional climate and the fact the nation is now cheaply and swiftly accessible from Europe and the UK thanks to cheap flight operators.
Finally, if you want more reasons why to buy real estate in Egypt think about the fact there are no capital gains or death/inheritance taxes in Egypt and the government has now made it easy and safe for foreign buyers to own a home or multiple real estate assets in Egypt and surely you have enough evidence to support taking a closer look at the Egyptian property market.
About the Author
Rhiannon Williamson writes about property investment worldwide, to read more about property investment in Egypt visit her site http://www.amberlamb.com
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Brazilian Real Estate The Talk of The Town
by Nicholas Marr
Overseas property investors have seen the potential of Brazilian real estate and savvy investors are in search of new areas in Brazil ripe for investment. One such area is Touros Brazil.
Brazil Property is the talk of the town with leading financiers ranking Brazil amongst the top 5 world economies by the year 2050. As one world largest countries, with a current population of over 180 million, Brazil s economic potential is enormous. The optimism is based on current availability of cheap labour and materials, coupled with undervalued real estate.
The village of Touros in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norto is seeing some new development that will make it a prime location for international real estate investors. Located about 70 kilometers north of the city of Natal, this town is quickly becoming a destination for travelers and home buyers looking for pristine beachfront property in Brazil.
Touros is distinctive with clean and tidy the streets and a well kept town. Travelers call Touros 'the real Brazil' The town benefits from a Diving Centre, Aqua Park and Quad-Biking centres several Golf Courses currently under construction.The road from Natal to Touros is a straight road called the BR101, which runs from Touros down to Rio.
The weather in this part of the country is warm and dry. Rio Grande do Norto is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so the nicest months to be here are during the north's winter, which makes it an excellent choice for a holiday or second home. Even during the winter months of July and August, temperatures still average around 24ºC, which makes it plenty warm enough to enjoy.
Getting to this part of Brazil is fairly easy, and about to become even easier when a new airport opens. The current airport for Natal, August Severo International Airport, serves both domestic and international flights. There are direct flights here from several European cities, and connecting flights daily from major Brazilian cities. From the airport it is just about an hour's drive north to Touros.
The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) reports that Brazil received 5.4 million tourists in 2005, which was nearly a third of all the tourists visiting South America as a whole during that year. This generated US$3.9 billion in foreign currency exchange from tourists. By 2006, tourist figures in Brazil had reached an impressive 6.3 million. The WTO predict strong performance for travel and tourism demand in Brazil for 2007, growing at a rate of 7.2%.
All looks good for investors heading to buy property in Brazil
About the Author
Nicholas Marr is the CEO of Marr International Ltd the company behind property websites http://www.homesgofast.com and Brazilian property website at http://www.brazilian-homes.com/
Overseas property investors have seen the potential of Brazilian real estate and savvy investors are in search of new areas in Brazil ripe for investment. One such area is Touros Brazil.
Brazil Property is the talk of the town with leading financiers ranking Brazil amongst the top 5 world economies by the year 2050. As one world largest countries, with a current population of over 180 million, Brazil s economic potential is enormous. The optimism is based on current availability of cheap labour and materials, coupled with undervalued real estate.
The village of Touros in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norto is seeing some new development that will make it a prime location for international real estate investors. Located about 70 kilometers north of the city of Natal, this town is quickly becoming a destination for travelers and home buyers looking for pristine beachfront property in Brazil.
Touros is distinctive with clean and tidy the streets and a well kept town. Travelers call Touros 'the real Brazil' The town benefits from a Diving Centre, Aqua Park and Quad-Biking centres several Golf Courses currently under construction.The road from Natal to Touros is a straight road called the BR101, which runs from Touros down to Rio.
The weather in this part of the country is warm and dry. Rio Grande do Norto is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so the nicest months to be here are during the north's winter, which makes it an excellent choice for a holiday or second home. Even during the winter months of July and August, temperatures still average around 24ºC, which makes it plenty warm enough to enjoy.
Getting to this part of Brazil is fairly easy, and about to become even easier when a new airport opens. The current airport for Natal, August Severo International Airport, serves both domestic and international flights. There are direct flights here from several European cities, and connecting flights daily from major Brazilian cities. From the airport it is just about an hour's drive north to Touros.
The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) reports that Brazil received 5.4 million tourists in 2005, which was nearly a third of all the tourists visiting South America as a whole during that year. This generated US$3.9 billion in foreign currency exchange from tourists. By 2006, tourist figures in Brazil had reached an impressive 6.3 million. The WTO predict strong performance for travel and tourism demand in Brazil for 2007, growing at a rate of 7.2%.
All looks good for investors heading to buy property in Brazil
About the Author
Nicholas Marr is the CEO of Marr International Ltd the company behind property websites http://www.homesgofast.com and Brazilian property website at http://www.brazilian-homes.com/
Monday, October 8, 2007
8 Travel Tips for Buying Real Estate in Costa Rica
by Stacey Crevoiserat
When traveling to Costa Rica in search for real estate, there are a number of travel tips you'll want to keep in mind before you leave home. Costa Rica is a beautiful place and can be the perfect location for your first or second home, so let's make sure you're ready and answer a few questions first time visitors usually have.
1. Be Prepared For the Weather! Costa Rica is definitely a tropical country; the average annual temperature for the majority of the country is between 71 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The yearly climate is divided into two seasons: the dry season, which is from January through May, and the rainy season, which runs from May to November/December. Some areas receive as much as 18 feet of rain a year!
2. Do I Need A Visa? Costa Rica welcomes tourists and locals typically have a very friendly attitude towards visitors. But first we have to make sure you'll get in! Most visitors are free to stay in Costa Rica for up to 90 days without a visa (you will of course need your passport). Travelers from The United States, Spain, Canada, Germany and Austria are included. If you are not from one of the previously mentioned countries please check this completed list.
3. How Long Will It Take To Get There? Costa Rica is actually very close to the United States, making it a prime location for Americans to have a vacation home or to invest in real estate. A flight from Miami to San Jose is only two and a half hours. It's actually even shorter then a flight from N.Y. to San Jose, Costa Rica, then from N.Y. to California!
4. What Airports Are In Costa Rica? Costa Rica currently has two international airports, San Jose's Juan Santamaria in the Central Valley, and Liberia's Daniel Odouber in the Northwest region.
5. Is it necessary to speak Spanish? The primary language in Costa Rica is of course Spanish, however it's not totally necessary that you speak the language. Although we do highly recommend it to be able to get the full experience of being in another culture, most tourist areas are generally English speaking and quite easy to communicate and get around in.
6. What Should I Bring? Packing for such an adventure is very important, you want to make sure you have all of the proper amenities to have a successful and enjoyable trip. Some of those things include: a. Passport, drivers license, cash and traveler's checks b. Both beach sandals and hiking/walking shoes, Sunblock, bug repellent, and sunglasses c. T-Shirts, including a long sleep shirt to protect you from sunburn, both pants and shorts, jacket, baseball cap, and a bag of some kind to keep wet clothes. d. Extra batteries and film for your cameras, (these may be hard to find in Costa Rica)
7. Taking Photo's In a Tropical Climate. Costa Rica is very humid, so even when it's not raining there is plenty of moisture in the air. This often puts visitors camera equipment out of commission. Costa Rica is an absolutely beautiful place to visit and there will be countless photo opportunities on your trip regardless of what kind of visit you have planned, whether it be hiking, site seeing, or real estate shopping. So it's not a bad idea to first make sure your camera can handle moist environments. Buying a waterproof case for your equipment isn't a terrible idea.
8. The Costa Rican Property Market. More and more American, European and Canadian investors are being attracted to the real estate market of Costa Rica. It's a very attractive alternative to the volatile, insecure, and expensive domestic property markets. Land and housing prices in Costa Rica are very affordable, even with the recent real estate boom the prices are yet to reach anywhere near that of the US, UK, or Canada. For further information about buying real estate in Costa Rica, visit http://www.beachclubcostarica.com/
About the Author
Search Optimization Writer for NewSunGraphics
When traveling to Costa Rica in search for real estate, there are a number of travel tips you'll want to keep in mind before you leave home. Costa Rica is a beautiful place and can be the perfect location for your first or second home, so let's make sure you're ready and answer a few questions first time visitors usually have.
1. Be Prepared For the Weather! Costa Rica is definitely a tropical country; the average annual temperature for the majority of the country is between 71 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The yearly climate is divided into two seasons: the dry season, which is from January through May, and the rainy season, which runs from May to November/December. Some areas receive as much as 18 feet of rain a year!
2. Do I Need A Visa? Costa Rica welcomes tourists and locals typically have a very friendly attitude towards visitors. But first we have to make sure you'll get in! Most visitors are free to stay in Costa Rica for up to 90 days without a visa (you will of course need your passport). Travelers from The United States, Spain, Canada, Germany and Austria are included. If you are not from one of the previously mentioned countries please check this completed list.
3. How Long Will It Take To Get There? Costa Rica is actually very close to the United States, making it a prime location for Americans to have a vacation home or to invest in real estate. A flight from Miami to San Jose is only two and a half hours. It's actually even shorter then a flight from N.Y. to San Jose, Costa Rica, then from N.Y. to California!
4. What Airports Are In Costa Rica? Costa Rica currently has two international airports, San Jose's Juan Santamaria in the Central Valley, and Liberia's Daniel Odouber in the Northwest region.
5. Is it necessary to speak Spanish? The primary language in Costa Rica is of course Spanish, however it's not totally necessary that you speak the language. Although we do highly recommend it to be able to get the full experience of being in another culture, most tourist areas are generally English speaking and quite easy to communicate and get around in.
6. What Should I Bring? Packing for such an adventure is very important, you want to make sure you have all of the proper amenities to have a successful and enjoyable trip. Some of those things include: a. Passport, drivers license, cash and traveler's checks b. Both beach sandals and hiking/walking shoes, Sunblock, bug repellent, and sunglasses c. T-Shirts, including a long sleep shirt to protect you from sunburn, both pants and shorts, jacket, baseball cap, and a bag of some kind to keep wet clothes. d. Extra batteries and film for your cameras, (these may be hard to find in Costa Rica)
7. Taking Photo's In a Tropical Climate. Costa Rica is very humid, so even when it's not raining there is plenty of moisture in the air. This often puts visitors camera equipment out of commission. Costa Rica is an absolutely beautiful place to visit and there will be countless photo opportunities on your trip regardless of what kind of visit you have planned, whether it be hiking, site seeing, or real estate shopping. So it's not a bad idea to first make sure your camera can handle moist environments. Buying a waterproof case for your equipment isn't a terrible idea.
8. The Costa Rican Property Market. More and more American, European and Canadian investors are being attracted to the real estate market of Costa Rica. It's a very attractive alternative to the volatile, insecure, and expensive domestic property markets. Land and housing prices in Costa Rica are very affordable, even with the recent real estate boom the prices are yet to reach anywhere near that of the US, UK, or Canada. For further information about buying real estate in Costa Rica, visit http://www.beachclubcostarica.com/
About the Author
Search Optimization Writer for NewSunGraphics
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
earn money online-|-
lawyer-|-acne-|-sinus-|-|-cancer treatment-|-
health-|-