Albania proves a hit in Helsinki

by Charlotte Ashton Albania

 

The Lalzit Bay sales and marketing team hit the road this weekend to launch Albania’s first major luxury resort to property buyers at Helsinki’s overseas property show.
Bracing the icy winter winds off Helsinki’s frozen harbour, the sales team were inundated with eager investors specifically visiting the show to meet and discuss Albania’s first major luxury resort, Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa.
 
Ravin Maharajah, Partner in Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa explained the team’s attendance at the event:
 
“We’ve already sold to buyers in Finland even at this early stage so it was natural for us to want to exhibit in Helsinki and follow up on this demand. The North European markets have shown real enthusiasm for our product and we expect to be back in Finland and Scandinavia later in the year”.
 
Albania’s growing tourism industry…
 
Buyers at Helsinki’s property fair were keen to understand Albania’s growing tourism industry and how the potential of EU membership and infrastructure improvements are contributing to the development of the areas around Lalzit Bay, Durres and Tirana.
 
Traditional makes way for new destinations
 
Matti Juan Lehtinen, MD of Grupo Matti Juan International said of the event:
 
“Traditional destinations such as Spain and Turkey remain very popular but we are seeing demand for Albania as it’s so new and exciting. It has the weather of Greece and Croatia, but not the prices so many are keen to get in early and make a sound investment in a country with real potential.”
Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa are most grateful to their marketing partner in Finland, Grupo Matti Juan International for helping to create such awareness of Albania amongst Finnish property investors.
 
Matti and his team were excellent hosts and proved why they are such popular and well-liked agents.
 
For more information on villas and apartments in Lalzlit Bay Resort, Albania, you can call us on +44 (0)845 125 8600 or fill in the contact form.

Albania cruising to increased tourism in 2011

by Charlotte Ashton Albania

 

Durres in Albania has joined the likes of Castries in St Lucia, Hong Kong in China and Madeira in Portugal as a destination of choice for P&O Cruises.
 
As part of their 175th birthday celebrations, P&O have added 13 new ports to their extensive worldwide destination list including this historic city nestled on the Adriatic Coast.
 
Durres is Albania’s second largest city; it is also one of the oldest and most economically important cities in the country. It has long been the preferred holiday destination for the capital’s residents who enjoy basking in the hot summer sunshine but it is a popular destination for foreign tourist alike with an estimated 600,000 tourists in total hitting the beaches every year. According to the Albanian Border and Migration Police figures, 63,525 Brits visited Albania between 1st April 2009 and 31st March 2010.
 
The beaches aren’t however the only attraction. Durres is home to the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans and this first century construction is currently under consideration for inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are also several modern theatres in the cultural centre as well as museums which are well worth visiting.
 
As well as by sea and air, visitors can easily find their way to Durres with the new road connecting Durres to Tirana and on to the northerly Kosovan border. This important infrastructural development has further boosted tourism and economic growth to the ‘gateway to western Europe’ which has a positive knock on effect for the rest of the country in time for EU accession.
 
To accommodate the increasing number of tourists the Albanian government is actively encouraging property and hotel development in prime locations along the coast. Just north of Durres, Lalzit Bay is one such destination which is benefitting from foreign direct investment and a property drive.
 
Ravin Maharajah, Director of Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa comments,
 
“Now is an exciting time for Albania in terms of both tourism and economy. Albania is being recognised by the likes of P&O Cruises as an up and coming hot spot for visitors and it has already been voted as the No1 European destination for 2011 by the reputable Lonely Planet Guides.
 
“At Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa we are responding to this increased demand by offering investors the opportunity to become a part of this growth economy. Investors can purchase studios, one or two bedroom apartments or villas in a divine Mediterranean location from as little as €29,000, a fraction of the cost of buying a home in one of the more established European resorts. Owners also have the benefit of a fabulous holiday resort to enjoy with family and friends or to rent out to holiday makers.”
 
For more information contact Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.
 
— ENDS —
 
Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa, Albania
 
A luxurious 5 star village in what will become the most exclusive beach community in Albania.
 
The resort will benefit from a beach club, sports and tennis club. A spa and wellness centre will include numerous steam rooms and full range of thermal treatment room.   An indoor hydrotherapy pool as well as more traditional indoor and outdoor infinity pools situated around the resort. Shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and an excellent selection of restaurants offering a range of different cuisines.
 
Apartments available – studio, 1 or 2 bedrooms from €29,000. Villas available – 3 or 4 beds – from €234,000. For more information contact Lalzit Bay on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.
 

Hop across the Channel for near double-digit price increases say experts

by Charlotte Ashton France

 

Investors looking to purchase overseas should hop across the Channel to France where near double-digit price increases have been recorded say the experts at Experience International.
According to the latest Knight Frank Global House Price Index, France saw a 9.5% annual increase in prices in Q4 2010 compared to the same period 12 months ago.
Steven Worboys, MD of the French property experts at Experience International, comments,
“Surpassed within Europe only by Latvia (16.9% annual price increase) and Austria (9.9%), the near double digit annual price increase is highly indicative of the robust nature of the French property market. The unique conditions we find ourselves in today with the lowest interest rates since WW2, strength of the pound and rising prices make this the perfect time to buy.”
And it would seem that this message is hitting home with the FNAIM (Federation National de l’immobilier, the French estate agents’ body), reporting a 15% rise in the number of property purchases in 2010, some 700,000, compared to 2009.
Indeed purchasing activity for 2011 is also looking strong with research from Rightmove Overseas and Moneycorp showing a 53% increase in buying property abroad in February 2011 compared to the precious month with France the second most searched for country.
As Steven Worboys continues,
“Markets such as Spain and the USA may see high levels of buyer interest however making a safe and secure investment for the future should be the priority for today’s purchasers. There may be bargains to be had but at what cost? We advise all clients to do their due diligence and look for the market fundamentals which make a successful investment.”
One of the key appeals of investing in France is the leaseback program which has for over 40 years offered the best of both worlds with guaranteed rental returns for 18 years plus as well as personal usage options. Returns may not be as high as some emerging markets but they are reliable, giving investors that all important peace of mind.
Les Terrasses D’Helios is one example of a superb leaseback development located in the popular ski resort of Flaine which offers 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with stunning views of the Grand Massif ski domain.
Investors can enjoy up to 3.50% guaranteed rental income for 18 years or more in addition to expected capital growth of 7% and personal usage options. As with most leasebacks, VAT is paid saving a further 19.6% and up to 100% finance is available making the €237,000 apartments highly affordable.
For more information on investing in France or Les Terrasses D’Helios contact the experts at Experience International on +44 (0) 207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.

Best Bet London: Capital sees 10% increase in Hotel Rates

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

For those considering making an investment in the lucrative hotel market then the latest data from the trivago Hotel Price Index suggests that London remains one of Europe’s best bets as hotel rates in the Capital rose by 10% in the last month alone.

Compared to February 2011, average hotel prices in London have risen by an impressive 10% in March to £150 per night eclipsing other popular European cities such as Amsterdam (£117), Berlin (£87), Paris (£131) and Rome (£109).
Double-digit growth was not uniform across the UK however with overnight room rates falling 1% in Liverpool and Newcastle and 6% in Birmingham and Edinburgh.
Steven Worboys, MD of Experience International, which is marketing a number of 4* hotel room investments in the Capital, comments,
“Growth in hotel rates is certainly positive news for existing investors but also an encouraging indicator for potential buyers. As the global economy starts to slowly recover we are seeing an increase in both business and leisure travellers to London which is generating demand for accommodation and in turn is driving room rates higher.”
When compared to global hotel markets London also compares favourably with the Hotel Price Barometer by hotel.info ranking the Capital the 8th most expensive city in the world in terms of average room rates with an increase of 7.04% in Feb 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.
Furthermore the latest hotel forecast for 2011 from PwC reveals that there will be a further gain of 6.1% in average room rates and occupancies should climb to around 84%, a 2.2% increase over 2010, taking occupancy rates to levels last seen in the booming mid 1990s.
With the Capital expecting a boom in visitors for the impending Royal Wedding and some 500,000 forecast to attend the 2012 Olympic Games, the London hotel market presents a highly attractive investment opportunity.
One new hotel currently under development in north London, Park Inn Wembley, is receiving particular interest from investors both in the UK and abroad, especially the Far East. Located in one of London’s fastest growing sporting & leisure destinations, Park Inn Wembley offers 4* hotel rooms at 28% below official RICS commercial valuation and delivers double digit net returns of up to 11.5% per annum.
Fully managed and operated by the major global hotel brand Park Inn, which is currently undertaking a significant marketing campaign in the UK, this hands-off investment is available with a deposit of £55,000 with non-status finance and VAT paid saving you £28,000.
For more information on securing a hotel room at Park Inn Wembley please call the experts at Experience International today on + 44 (0) 207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com. 

Paradise Found – Cascades Gardens Now Open for Visitors

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

With the clocks now forward and temperatures climbing into the teens, the long, cold British winter is now officially behind us and spring is in the air. Welcoming the change in season, Cascades Gardens, the spectacular 4 acre public garden set in the historic village of Bonsall, near Matlock, Derbyshire, will once again be open for nature lovers to explore from 1st April.

Celebrating 15 years since the transformation of the Gardens from an overgrown, unkempt area to one of the most spectacular gardens in the county with fascinating features including an 18th century ruined corn mill, lead mine shaft, a 2 acre hillside area backing on to woodland and rare flora such as double form Hellebores, black walnut and tulip trees, Cascades Gardens is open to all from 10am to 5pm every Wednesday, Sunday and Bank Holiday until the end of August.
Listed in the Yellow Book, the National Gardens Scheme publication, of whom HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron and featured in the local press and on the BBC, Cascades Gardens has been a labour of love for owner Alan Clements and his wife Elizabeth.
“15 years ago, in 1996, three amazing things happened which changed the course of our lives. We were lucky enough to enjoy an audience with the Dalai Lama in India, spent time in the monasteries of the Japanese Alps, meditating in the famous gardens of the Daisen-In in Kyoto and we bought The Cascades, then a 6 bedroom Georgian house with a wasteland of a garden.
“It was the stunning Japanese garden of the Daisen-In and our love of nature which inspired us to transform the 4 acres of land into Cascades Gardens. And it certainly was a challenge and inspiration!” recalls Alan.
Work began on the gardens in 1996, the same year as the well documented restoration of the Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, with Alan clearing the 30ft high Holly trees which darkened the southern border and 6ft high Hogweed, Brambles and Stinging Nettles which covered the remaining landscape. Drawing on their combined 60 years of gardening knowledge they created an oasis of tranquillity with formal gardens and “garden rooms” as well as the wilder raised area backing on to native woodlands and cliff.
Cascades Gardens is designed to be enjoyed by all with designated walkways complete with wooden handrails, a pond where wild and domestic ducks now rule, a vegetable patch and nursery where a wide range of herbaceous perennials are available to purchase.
“We are proud of what we have achieved here at Cascades Gardens. This garden reflects our love of plants and nature and it has become our paradise. It is time however for a new challenge and so The Cascades and Gardens is now available to purchase” says Alan.
The charming Cascades house, set on the edge of the Peak District, comprises a 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom Georgian property which is a delightful family home. The property is sold with the lower 2 acres of formal gardens for £725,000 with an additional raised 2 acres to the rear available if required.
As Alan explains,
“We have lived in The Cascades now for 15 years and it has been an ideal place to relax in the heart of Derbyshire while commuting to Nottingham and Derby for business. Cascades Gardens really adds something that is very special to our lives.”
Cascades Gardens will be open to the public from 1st April and The Cascades is currently on the market so for more information contact the appointed agent Fidler-Taylor on 01629 580228 or visit www.fidler-taylor.co.uk.

Macedonia launch event – a great success for Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa

by Charlotte Ashton Albania

Macedonia Launch party – Gostivar and Skopje

The Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa team last week travelled to Macedonia to launch Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa further into the Macedonian, Albanian and Kosovan markets.
It was a chance to meet around 150 second home buyers and property investors who have been watching the progress of the coastal resort project since we launched the concept to market in August 2010.
Ravin Maharajah, Partner in Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa said:  “We have had a lot of interest from investors in the region and it was a chance for us to meet face-to-face and discuss the project in detail
“We are delighted by the level of interest already shown in this pioneering resort on the Adriatic.”
Gostivar was an impressive setting surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains; the sun was shining and the launch event that evening was a great success, generating plenty of interest from the locals.
In Skopje, we entertained in the sumptuous surroundings on the top-floor of the Stone Bridge Hotel. The TV station ALSAT covered the event and we’ll post a link to the TV coverage we received. We were also delighted to have had several television celebrities in attendance.
For more information contact Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa on +44 (0)845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.
Notes to Editor:
Further events being held by Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa :
If you are interested in meeting the management team behind Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, we will be attending the following events in April:
– Homes Abroad Property Show – Helsinki, Finland – April 3rd and 4th 2011
– Albanian Investment Forum – Tirana, Albania – April 14th and 15th 2011
– Kosovo launch party – Hotel Victory, Prishtina April 22nd 2011

Albanian infrastructure improvements mark the road to increased tourism and trade

by Charlotte Ashton Albania

 

Albania’s mountainous topography is an important factor in drawing visitors to this diverse and striking country. However, with the stunning scenery come problems for getting around.
 
At least this was the case however until the new Albanian motorway was completed at the end of 2010; a 37-mile stretch of high spec four-lane highway connecting central Albania to the Kosovan border to the north.
 
The motorway, one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Albania, forms the central segment of a 106 mile highway traversing the country from the beautiful Adriatic coastline up to the northeastern village of Kalimash near the Kosovan border. It includes a 3.4 mile twin bore tunnel and 29 bridges built into the rocky cliff faces.
 
Now in 2011, the motorway is fully up-and-running and facilitating increased volumes in travel and trade in the north of Albania. It has also significantly reduced the time to drive from Kosovo to the Albanian capital Tirana and the road links key markets to the Adriatic port of Durres boosting economic growth in time for EU accession and generating further tourism to the region. Generally travel time along the route has been cut by a staggering two-thirds.
 
Just north of the coastal town of Durres lies Gjiri i Lalzit. This is another area which will soon benefit from infrastructure improvements in this rapidly developing country. Plans have been drawn up for a new road directly into a major international resort currently being built. The completed road leading directly from Tirana and the airport into this un-spoilt Adriatic bay will be completed by 2012.
 
Gjiri I Lalzit, or Lalzit Bay as it is also known, has been selected for this long-awaited infrastructural upgrade due to its potential for coastal tourism which will further drive the economy in years to come. Major resorts such as Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa are leading the way in the sustainable transformation of the coastal area to accommodate the growing numbers of visitors from across the region, especially Kosovo.
 
Kosovo provides a large pool of tourists for Albania due to its high population of ethnic Albanians (around 90% of the population).
 
The Government is taking significant positive steps to enhance its holiday destination image for overseas visitors, something which the airlines are acting on by providing increased flights from London across the summer months. Resorts such as Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa are proving to hold international appeal with 25 units sold since its formal launch in March 2011.
 
Investors in the Resort can purchase studios, one or two bedroom apartments or a range of villas from €29,000 each with sea views. Buyers can use their property themselves or rent out to earn healthy revenues from the increasing numbers of tourists that visit the region each year.
 
For more information contact Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa on +44 (0)845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.
 

From City to Surf:New flights to Pau spells good news for London travellers this Easter

by Charlotte Ashton France

Perfectly timed for an early Easter getaway, Cityjet, a subsidiary of Air France, are launching new flights from London City Airport to Pau in south-west France thrice weekly as of 2nd April offering residents an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life as well as royal wedding mayhem!

The city of Pau is only 1 hour and 20 minutes drive from the surf capital of France, Biarritz allowing Blighty residents to switch one capital for another with terrific ease. The flight will only take 1 hour and 40 minutes so you can be dipping your toes (and your board!) in the Bay of Biscay by lunchtime after leaving home at breakfast.
The news is welcomed by the numerous second home owners in the region too. Pau offers excellent access to both the nearby Pyrenees ski resorts, Lourdes, as well as the beach destinations such as Biarritz.
Speaking about the new flight services soon to commence, Steven Worboys, Managing Director of Experience International, said:
“Whilst the new flights will connect city to city business travellers, Cityjet’s route from London City to Pau will further open up this region to holiday makers and home owners from the south-east of England. There is a great demand for homes in the south-west of France with its stunning and varied scenery; owners achieve the best of both worlds with close proximity to the mountains and established ski resorts in winter and the coast in summertime.
“A popular choice for owners is Les Patios Eugenie, a luxury development of 62 units, from studio to 3 bedroom duplex cabin apartments, just 400 metres from the beach with an outdoor heated pool, spa, sauna, massage cabins and whirlpool. It oozes charm and appeal with its contemporary yet traditional architecture.
“We understand that owners want a hassle free purchase with luxurious amenities and with easy access from the UK making it perfect for personal use or rental and this development certainly ticks all the boxes.”
For more information contact Experience International on 0207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.
— ENDS —
Les Patios Eugenie, Biarritz
 
A fabulous opportunity to own a Biarritz property in an ideal location just 400 metres away from the beach and close to all amenities.  This development offers character architecture with the subtle alliance of contemporary and ancient design. Les Patios Eugenie consists of 62 luxurious units, from studios to 3 bedroom duplex cabin apartments, all luxury residences with refined decoration and charming patio and garden areas.
Being both natural and sophisticated at the same time, Biarritz is one of the most prestigious seaside resorts of the French Atlantic coast. Between the mountains and the ocean waves, it offers exceptional natural surroundings with many attractions: palaces, luxurious hotels, the Casino, rich gastronomy… Excellent facilities include Outdoor heated swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool and spa.
Prices start from €245,684. For more information contact Experience International on 0207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-intrnational.com.

Park Inn hotels come home to Wembley

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Global hotel brand Park Inn has been selected as the operator for the new 4* hotel located in Wembley, one of London’s fastest growing leisure and sporting destinations.

Voted the World’s Leading Destination attracting nearly 25 million visitors last year, London presents one of the most robust and lucrative hotel markets today. Outperforming most other European cities including Paris, Madrid, Rome, Berlin and Amsterdam, the Capital’s hotel market is going from “strength to strength” according to TRI Hospitality Consulting with double-digit revenue per available room (revPAR) growth in 2010 according to latest figures from Deloitte.
With 24 hotels already across the UK and 3 in London, Park Inn has identified the significant demand for quality accommodation in London and is therefore partnering on this high yielding new hotel investment opportunity – Park Inn Wembley.
Wembley has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years, not least fuelled by the construction of the new Wembley National Stadium, and has been singled out by The London Tourist Board and London First as one of the three most promising locations for hotel development in the Capital.
Over 1.75 million people visit the iconic Wembley Stadium alone each year attending prestigious events including the FA Cup Final, Carling Cup Final, rugby and American Football matches, motor-racing, high profile music concerts and cultural events. Visitor numbers are set to rise further in the next two years as the biggest music concert in Wembley’s history, Take That Live, will take place this summer with over 1 million tickets sold as well as the UEFA Champions League Final, Euro 2012 qualifiers and the badminton & gymnastics events of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
As Steven Worboys, MD of Experience International who are marketing the Park Inn Wembley, comments,
“Wembley is not only a leading destination for leisure and sporting events but also a burgeoning business centre with a clear demand for quality hotel accommodation. Wembley already offers some 970 hotel rooms from established brands such as Ibis and Premier Inn with a further 620 rooms under construction yet this stock is still not adequate to meet demand for quality accommodation.”
Meeting this demand, the same developer as the highly successful Holiday Inn West India Dock Road in Canary Wharf has selected Park Inn as the operator offering a truly ‘hands off’ investment delivering double-digit net returns.
Just released to the market, hotel rooms in the Park Inn Wembley, located on Olympic Way and just 2 minutes from Wembley Park station, are available 28% below RICS commercial valuation from just £140,000. Investors can expect at least 10.2% net yields in year 1 rising to 11.5% by year 5 and non-status finance is available as well as VAT paid giving a saving of £28,000. 
For more information about investing in the new Park Inn Wembley contact the experts at Experience International on +44 (0) 207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.

Experience Egypt 2011 – Your Essential FREE guide to living and buying property in Egypt

by Charlotte Ashton Egypt

 

Egypt, the land of sun, sea and sand, is one of the most popular property markets in the world today. If you are thinking about buying property in Egypt’s popular tourist hotspot, the Red Sea coast, then the new Experience Egypt magazine is your essential guide.
The complimentary 70 page property and lifestyle magazine published by the Egyptian property experts at Experience International is packed with the latest market news, expert advice, location focuses, buying guides and a selection of the finest properties available for sale along the Red Sea coast. 
As Editor and MD of Experience International, Steven Worboys, comments,
“We have seen the Red Sea resorts in particular enjoying accelerated property market growth due to their popularity as holiday hotspots. Millions of Britons as well as Russians, Germans, Scandinavians, Middle Eastern and Asian nationals visit each year to soak up the sun, sea, sand and world-class diving on hand.
“Whilst many clients have visited Egypt on holiday there is still great demand for timely, accurate information on the thriving property market on the Red Sea coast and responding to this we have used our first-hand expert knowledge to produce the ultimate guide to buying property in Egypt – the complimentary Experience Egypt 2011 magazine.”
Available to download here Experience Egypt 2011 features:
*      Latest market news
*      Expert advice from A Place in the Sun & Daily Mail property writer, Gordon Miller
*      New location focuses
*      Real life property investment stories
*      Shaz Yaqoob’s 5 golden rules for buying property in Egypt
*      Best buys – the widest selection of properties to buy on the Red Sea coast
 
To download your complimentary Experience Egypt 2011 magazine visit http://www.experience-investments.co.uk/Egypt-Magazine.html or call +44 (0) 207 321 5858.