Turkish Rentals Triumph over Recession

by Charlotte Ashton Turkey buyingin.co.uk

Summer 2009 was never set to be a big year for the number of Brits holidaying abroad, with much talk of hard-hit families opting for UK breaks and shelving the idea of foreign sun, at least until the recession started to abate. But in reality, things were somewhat different. Undoubtedly, many cash-strapped British holidaymakers did stay at home; but foreign rental property owners also experienced a successful summer according to a market survey by leading overseas lettings company, Holiday-Rentals.

“While the travel industry in general struggles, demand for rentals is going from strength to strength as travellers realise they can rent a whole home for less per head than a hotel and stretch their budget even further by taking advantage of self-catering facilities,” commented Holiday-Rentals Managing Director Courtney Wylie.

Good value for money is not the only reason that people are increasingly looking to the private rental sector for holiday properties; rentals also offer greater flexibility, allowing travellers to book flights and accommodation separately themselves, often online.

One country that has emerged as a prime holiday destination for those looking for a rental property is Turkey. Popular with families and boasting a warm Mediterranean climate, perfect for those wanting a dose of sunshine, 2009 has been a very successful year for the country’s holiday rental market, with holidaylettings.co.uk reporting a 70% increase in the number of enquiries about the country in 2009.

This popularity has been backed up by statistics released by the Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism, which show that over 24 million tourists visited Turkey in January to October 2009, an increase of 1.96% on the same period in the year before. The number of British visitors grew to 2.3 million, an impressive increase of 9.5% within a year.

A key draw for British holidaymakers is that Turkey sits outside of the Eurozone and with the pound currently so weak against the Euro, this is a great benefit to those looking to make their money stretch further.

According to the Q3 Travel Money Report from M&S Money, the Turkish lira was the third most popular currency exchanged, behind only the Euro and the US dollar. James Yerkess, M&S Travel Money Manager comments:

‘The increased strength of the euro against the pound means that holidaymakers have been looking at destinations outside the Eurozone… The Turkish lira is one of the few currencies against which the pound has held its value since last year, meaning tourists heading to Turkey will still see their cash go further.´

The future looks positive with the Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism aiming to attract 63 million visitors annually to the country by the centenary of the Turkish Republic in 2023. Ertugrul Gunay, the country’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, is looking towards a bright future:

“We are delighted with Turkey’s tourism successes and the continued expansion in visitor numbers to Turkey despite the economic downturn. Looking ahead, we’re confident that Turkey’s tourism industry is poised for further growth.”

This official optimism is backed up by new flight routes being announced to the country. Among the airlines with new routes to Turkey is low-cost operator Pegasus Airlines which recently announced several new flights for 2010, with the company set to run 17 routes between Turkey and the UK, including London to Istanbul, Bodrum and Dalaman and Manchester to Antalya and Dalaman.

This is good news for those renting and buying property in Turkey, as improved accessibility increases interest in a destination and will in turn increase demand for private holiday rentals. Indeed, holidaylettings.co.uk reported that enquiries for Turkey outstripped those for perennial favourites Florida and Portugal in September and October.

With unspoilt scenery and great beaches, Dalaman is one destination that is set to gain from the improved air links and increased tourist numbers. Situated on Turkey’s south-west coast, Dalaman is an attractive option for those looking to cash in on the growing popularity of Turkey and the country’s budding private rental market. Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying In Turkey property guide (www.buyingin.co.uk), believes that now is a good time to invest in the area,

“Dalaman is a beautiful Turkish destination which has much to offer those looking to buy property to rent out. It has a wealth of activities and natural attractions including yachting, hot springs and some of Turkey’s top beaches, which give it a wide appeal to holidaymakers. With the private rental market growing in such a successful manner, investors can expect solid returns. The future certainly looks bright for Turkey.”

Akkaya Gardens, just 15 minutes from Dalaman, is an award-winning development that offers prime rental opportunities for those looking to invest. The complex has a large communal pool, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centre, sauna and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and picturesque lakes. Due for completion by the end 2009, ready for the 2010 rental season, two bedroom, two bathroom apartments are available from £54,500. Nearby villas are available from £136,000. For more details contact the Buying In Turkey Collection on 0845 351 3551 or visit www.buyingin.co.uk.

What will 2010 hold for Turkey?

by Charlotte Ashton Turkey buyingin.co.uk

The property market along the Turkish coast has certainly cooled since the heady pre-credit crunch days when excitement about EU entry, rocketing property values and new Turkish mortgages fuelled an unprecedented rush of British buyers to take the plunge into what was enthusiastically promoted by overseas estate agents as the ‘next big thing’.

But crisis or no financial crisis, Turkey’s pleasant Mediterranean climate, unspoilt scenery and low cost of living – factors which have attracted over 74,000 foreign property buyers, including more than 22,000 Britons – look set to begin drawing British property buyers in ever increasing numbers again in 2010.

Turkey has managed to weather the global slow-down fairly well. Due to strict regulations, the country’s banking sector has been spared the direct effects of the credit crunch and despite a major slowdown, the Turkish economy looks set to move out of recession next year.

Being outside the Eurozone, Turkish property represents excellent value for money, particularly as prices in most of the large resorts have dropped significantly since their peak in 2007.

“In what is now a buyer’s market, there are certainly some bargains to be found, although purchasers should still be looking for high-quality property, which will offer the best investment long-term,” says Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide, www.buyingin.co.uk. “Looking forward, there is much to be optimistic about and I expect a steady increase in market activity from spring 2010 as the tourist season starts, and global economic conditions and consumer confidence in the UK improve.”

The Turkish tourist industry has experienced remarkable growth over the past few years, particularly when compared with other Mediterranean destinations such as Spain. The country received more than 24 million international tourists in 2009 with year-on-year figures up despite the economic gloom. A record 2.1 million British tourists visited in the first 9 months of the year, making Turkey one of the top holiday destinations for Britons. Official forecasts are upbeat, with tourist arrivals expected to top 30 million in 2010 according to Ertugrul Gunay, the Turkish Culture and Tourism minister.

Investment is still being channelled into the development of the coastal areas, albeit at a slower pace, as part of government plans for Turkey to become one of the world’s top five tourist destinations by 2023. On the ground, this means new airports, roads, golf courses, marinas and hotels, which will widen the country’s appeal for property buyers, as well as tourists. The 600-berth Didim Marina, completed by Dogus Holdings in May 2009, is a good example, with new marinas opening in Cesme and Dalaman in the next few years.

Improving air access from the UK will be another important factor promoting the Turkish property market in 2010. Defying global economic turbulence, low-cost Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines reported a doubling of passengers in 2009, with 17 flights from the UK to Turkey next year, including new direct services from London to Bodrum and Dalaman; Manchester to Antalya and Dalaman, and Birmingham to Antalya and Bodrum. Easyjet will be continuing its recently launched flights to Dalaman and Bodrum from London and Manchester next year. While Jet2.com has announced low cost seat-only flights to Dalaman from the airline’s new base at East Midlands Airport and Thomas Cook has added weekly flights from Exeter to Dalaman to its existing services.

Area focus – Dalaman

Dalaman is an area to watch in 2010 as it has avoided the over-development of the larger Turkish resorts. It has some wonderful scenery, great beaches and lots of activities, like white-water rafting, hot-springs, yachting and walking, which give it a broad appeal. The Dalaman Hilton Golf & Spa Resort, with its 18-hole course, is opening in the summer.

Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) and Pegasus ( www.flypgs.com ) fly into Dalaman’s large international airport from Gatwick and Manchester; with Flyglobespan (www.flyglobespan.com) operating weekly flights from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Curbanoglu, (Tel 0845 355 5625, www.curbanoglu.co.uk ) have apartments from £61,200 and villas and luxury bungalows with private pools from £136,000 in the beautiful rural area of Akkaya, which overlooks a lake and unspoilt mountains just 15 minutes from Dalaman town and the international airport. The unspoilt valley is being turned into an exclusive residential and holiday community with communal facilities including a stream-side restaurant and bar, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centre, sauna, tennis courts – all spread over 100,000 acres of beautiful woodland and meadows.

For more information about Turkish property or to view a selection of the best Turkish property contact Buying in Turkey, Tel: 0845 351 3551, www.buyingin.co.uk

Notes for editors

Buying in Turkey

Buying in Turkey is the UK’s leading independent guide to buying and owning property in Turkey. First published in 2005, the 140-page guide has helped hundreds of people purchase villas, holiday apartments, investment properties and retirement homes in Turkey. Available for free download from www.buyingin.co.uk

Madeira prime for health and wellbeing tourism

by Charlotte Ashton Uncategorised

According to the Portuguese National Tourist Office and the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, health and wellbeing tourism is on the rise across Europe and is expected to increase by 5-10% by 2015. At a major conference on the topic held at the beginning of November, Madeira has been highlighted for its potential in this expanding market.

Madeira has long been known for its excellent year-round weather and the rich natural beauty of the islands flora and fauna, fed by the fertile volcanic soil. Its fresh air and clean beaches, over 20 certified Blue Flag beaches, have not escaped the interest of the retirement sector, those who would greatly benefit from an increase in health and wellness tourism.

Steve Worboys, Director of Experience International, the overseas property agency, comments, “We receive a consistent flow of interest in Madeira from the over 50’s sector. We are finding that people are turning to overseas property instead of hotel stays so that they can enjoy greater flexibility and better value for money accommodation. Retirees are not tied down by restricted holiday times and so look to spend longer and longer periods overseas in more favourable climates than the UK. To have improved health and wellbeing facilities available whilst staying on Madeira is incredibly beneficial and will help to strengthen the appeal of this island further.”

Funchal is the prime spot for overseas property buyers; the capital enjoys sunnier and drier weather than the rest of the island and has all the amenities expected in a cosmopolitan city plus the international airport close by. It has been the first port of call for many visitors to Madeira, especially the over 50’s, due to its booming cruise tourism from the cruise port.

The Azulara Resort, nestled above the city of Funchal, comprising of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments is proving popular with property hunters. Each apartment has panoramic sea views and owners can also indulge in the spa, gymnasium and swimming pools available on the 5* resort reinforcing the lifestyle appeal for active retirees looking for an affordable luxury European alternative for their overseas home. Prices from €251,530 – €429,038.

For more information contact Experience International on 020 7321 5858 or visit www.madeira-property.net.

Les Gets together

by Charlotte Ashton France

If skiing is your winter vice and you are more focussed on the downhill ski rather than the après ski, then Les Gets in the Portes du Soleil domain of the Alps (France), dubbed ‘the gateway to the sun’, is the resort for you. This historical and somewhat quieter Alpine village epitomizes traditional family values, has an excellent snow record and offers a purchaser year round unforgettable holiday usage, after all why buy a property you can only utilise for 4 months of the year when you can invest in one that you can enjoy for every season?

With the winter ski season just opening in the Alps and snow already being reported on the slopes, what can Les Gets offer the avid skier? Portes du Soleil is one of the world’s largest ski area created from a chain of villages strung along the French – Swiss Alps. There are 650km of downhill slopes and cross-country trails served by 209 ski lifts, all covered by a single ski pass or there is a cheaper more restricted pass available. Situated between Lake Geneva and the Mont-Blanc the region also enjoys exceptional snow coverage throughout the season creating reliable rental demand.

Les Gets village itself offers 3 cabin lifts, 25 chair lifts, 2 gondolas leading you to 3 green slopes, 26 blue slopes, 28 red and 9 black slopes for the more advanced skier. The resort also boasts 12km of cross country ski trails. For those who want to be in the heart of the action, property buyers are opting for the new development Les Fermes Emiguy, with its authentic Savoyard architecture, offering skiing on your doorstep being only 400m from the Chavannes ski-lifts and approximately 300m from the piste of the Vieux Chênes. Being so close to amenities and the slopes it is perfect for the burgeoning self-catering holiday rental market.

The resort comprises of 74 luxury studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in a 4* leaseback development and is SIPP eligible. Within the residence there is a wide array of high quality facilities including an indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, fitness centre, laundry and bicycle store. Perfect for year round usage.

In spring and summer mountain-bike enthusiasts can enjoy 380km of trails including 100km long circular Portes du Soleil tour. Or for the brave try your brakes on the heart-stopping 3300m bike descent in the neighbouring village of Morzine.

For those opting for the gentler pace of life, simply enjoy the many miles of trails which wind into the mountains with breath taking scenery covered in alpine flowers and moss. If you go quietly and are away from the maddening crowd then you are almost guaranteed to see the wildlife that braves these hills – artic hare and buccatan are a treat to see. To amuse the whole family other activities such as horse riding, golf and canoeing are available to visitors throughout the summer months.

Les Gets is just 55km from Geneva airport making it one of easiest resorts to get to. International flights arrive daily from most UK airports and coaches run from the airport every 75 minutes for a mere €25. From the 19^th December, perfect timing for the 2009/2010 ski season, new weekly Saturday flights will be available to savvy skiers from London Oxford Airport flying to Geneva. This flight service will be with Baboo from only £78 each way including a generous baggage and complimentary ski or snowboard allowance.

To buy in this fabulous ski resort Experience International are offering studio apartments from £156,428 and 4.5% guaranteed income for 9 years available (renewable), this is an opportunity not be missed.

For more information contact Experience International on 0207 321 5858 or visit www.french-ski-property.co.uk.

Living on the French coast

by Charlotte Ashton France Agence 107 Promenade

From Paris to Provence, Franco-philes find a reason and a destination to visit France at all times of the year, but what is it that keeps drawing tourists, French holiday-makers and property buyers alike to the alluring south-east Cote d’Azur coast and the 5^th largest city in France, Nice?

The Provence Alps Cote d’Azur region as a whole is the most popular region for owning holiday homes with over 415,000 people already doing so and with over 10 million visitors a year to the Cote d’Azur, Nice and the surrounding towns are the second most popular tourist destination in France.

– Outdoor life

You can’t visit Nice without taking a stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais, indeed many will only live in Nice if they can achieve this prime real estate location adjacent to the sea front and the Baie des Anges. Established in 1822 by British ex-pats (hence English Promenade), this fairy-light adorned walkway along the coast is the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere, you go there to see and be seen.

Of course if walking is a little to slow-paced for you then hire a ‘velo bleu’ bicycle from one of 90 stations and imagine yourself as Lance Armstrong speeding down the cycle paths, well perhaps the Tour de France is one step too far for the regular customer but it certainly is the ideal way to get around town and take in the sights, for as little as 1 Euro per day. The bikes are self-service, just register online to give you 24-7 access to the velo bleu and as the popularity of this mode of transport increases so is the number of bikes with 175 stations being rolled out amounting to 1750 bikes available for hire (www.velobleu.org).

You can’t visit the coast without a dip in the sea, especially in the hot summer months. Adrenalin junkies can hire jet skis, parascend, dive, water ski and paraglide on the Mediterranean coast in Nice. Plus with 9 Blue Flag beaches in Nice alone (74 in the Provence Cote d’Azur region in total) you can be assured the amenities and cleanliness are excellent making the beaches perfect for the whole family too.

Back on dry land the markets are the perfect French shopping experience aside to the huge Nice Êtoile shopping mall. The cours Saleya in Nice is home to the flower, food and antiques markets held on different days of the week but the buzz and vibrancy is always the same. There is also the Cave de la Tour for traditional wine tasting and buying.

– Food lovers heaven

France is renowned for its delicious cuisine, inspiring chefs and top class restaurants worldwide but you can’t imitate the real thing. When in France eat French and what a choice there is for the hungry foodie. In Nice you can sample Michelin stars at the Chantecler restaurant serving classical cuisine and for the smaller pocket, who can resist the smell of a freshly baked baguette, a flaky croissant and the rich aroma of ripening cheeses.

To wash down your meal head to Vieux Nice, the old town, made up of winding passages and walkways packed full of bars and cafes. Sample a perfect pastis, the anise flavoured alcoholic drink in the 18^th Century surroundings.

– Seeing the sights

With so many events, exhibitions and festivals on at any one time in Nice there are two free publications dedicated to keeping residents and visitors up-to-date with the cultural, sporting and musical activities available, the Nice Rendevous and Cote d’Azur en Fêtes, plus another weekly paper the Semaine de Spectacles.

A highlight of the cultural offerings are the museums and galleries. The Musée D’Art Moderne Et D’Art Contemporian (MARMAC) houses the likes of Andy Warhol’s 1965 ‘Campbells’ Soup Can plus you can’t go to Nice without admiring the Musée Matisse. Henry Matisse moved to Nice from Paris in 1917 to recover from bronchitis and never left; just walking around the city you can take in the same sights that he described as the ‘radiant colours and luminosity of daylight’.

For music lovers the likes of U2 visited this summer, Nice is a touring stop for most A-list groups but on the other end of the scale there is the Opera de Nice to enjoy.

Taking you back in time, there is the ancient Roman city of the Cemenelum to explore where ruins are on show. In 154BC the Romans were second to settle in the area after the Greeks who had named the colony Nikaia to commemorate a nearby victory – nike in Greek.

– Interesting property

From ancient homes to the modern and sought after properties on the Promenade des Anglais… despite the world economy, real estate on the Promenade des Anglais remains in demand due to the finite number of properties offering those breath taking sea views. Kirkor Ajderhanyan, MD and owner of Agence 107 Promande comments, “prices have stayed relatively stable and in the more affluent segment of the market prices are already starting to see a rise; as always good quality properties with that location, location, location, are ever popular. Many of our clients are seeking their bolt-hole in the sun, but we also find that a large number are investing in property in Nice because it is a ‘safe’ market and they see returns from their purchase from rents and capital gains.”

Ross Elder MD of holidaylettings.co.uk states, “Accommodation enquiries are up 40 per cent year on year across the board, demonstrating growth in the ‘book direct with owner’ market where space, privacy, freedom and value prevail.” France is one of the top performing destinations for what is being coined the ‘self-catering explosion’, where people are choosing privately owned properties to rent for their holidays instead of the more expensive hotel options.

Buying your Promenade apartment doesn’t have to cost the earth either, for example, you can purchase a well presented 2 bedroom apartment of 49sqm in a prime seafront location offering a living room, balcony with panoramic sea views overlooking the Baie des Anges, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bathroom and an allocated parking space for €285,000.

For those with a larger budget this contemporary apartment of 96sqm situated in an Art Deco building on the Promenade des Anglais offers 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms plus a large 8sqm terrace with spectacular sea views. It is on the market for €648,000.

– Good access

Nice is one of the most accessible locations in the Cote d’Azur, the international airport services Nice and surrounding area, visitors come by car, boat or even helicopter. 18 low cost airlines alone service Nice International Airport from over 42 destinations, this coupled with the 73 destinations reached with the traditional airlines, all 33 of them, air access isn’t a problem. And unlike many smaller destinations in Europe and beyond, having such an established air service is reassuring for home owners who are not threatened by airline closures or reduced services like so many minor locations.

For more information please contact Agence 107 Promenade on 00 33 4 93 44 83 83, email contact@107promenade.com or visit www.107promenade.com.

British Airways flies direct to Sharm El Sheikh this Autumn

by Charlotte Ashton Egypt

Sharm El Sheikh is synonymous with diving and year round sunshine, this popular Egyptian resort nestled on the Red Sea Coast is to become even more accessible to UK visitors come 26^th October as British Airways (BA) launches thrice-weekly direct flights from London Gatwick to the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport.

Steve Worboys, MD of Experience International property agency comments, “More and more people are choosing to visit non-Eurozone destinations for their holidays due to the weak Pound against the Euro, this same trend is translating into property sales with buyers looking to maximize their investments. Egypt offers the same first class amenities as other more traditional European destinations plus it has the added bonus of some of the best diving in the world for water sports enthusiasts. The contrast between the coastal resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh and the desert is awesome, many visitors head into the desert by camel to explore the Bedouin villages and the sand dunes by day and then soak up the buzzing atmosphere in bars and restaurants by the beach by night; it offers something for everyone.”

Experience International is offering a new selection of properties for sale in Sharm El Sheikh including the Maraqia Resort, where the savvy investor can purchase a studio, one, two bedroom apartment or duplex 3 bedroom loft apartment from as little as £19,600. All the apartments enjoy views over the pool of which there are 3 in total on the development and ground floor apartments come with a private garden. Investors benefit from no capital gains or inheritance tax and Egypt has a very low cost of living.

To book flights to Sharm El Sheikh visit ba.com and to enquire about your home in the Egyptian sun contact Experience International on 0207 321 5858 or visit http://www.sharm-el-sheikh-property.co.uk/.

Property is plain sailing in Nice

by Charlotte Ashton France Agence 107 Promenade

As the seasons begin to change, you may be thinking it’s all over for excuses to travel in 2009 however for France, the announcement by Louis Vuitton of its partnership with the new World Sailing Team Association, yachters will be navigating to the Cote d’Azur in the south of France this November . The World Sailing Team Association will be holding a series of regattas from now until 2011, the first of which will be held in Nice from the 7^th to 22^nd November. 10 teams will battle it out on the waves including a number of renowned faces from the elite sailing fraternity.

It is events such as these in which the fortunate Promenade des Anglais property owners can delight. They will have front row seats for the regatta in the comfort of their own home. The Promenade has already seen the likes of Lance Armstrong and eventual winner of the Tour de France 2009 Alberto Contador speeding through its streets this summer, the yachting ‘world series’ extends this sporting havens appeal.

Kirkor Ajderhanyan, Owner of Agence 107 Promenade, the international property agency specializing in Promenade des Anglais real estate comments, “clients come to us from across the globe seeking prime location penthouses and apartments with sea views over the famous Baie des Anges in Nice. The Promenade des Anglais is where people come to see and be seen and with so many events happening this year and planned in the future from festivals to sporting events it is little wonder why. Owners come to immerse themselves in city celebrations and many choose to rent out their properties at these opportune times to maximize returns on their properties. Nice and the Cote d’Azur is particularly popular with the yachting fraternities, the region boasts 22 Blue Flag marinas alone.”

For enviable Promenade des Anglais positioning and fabulous sea views, why not consider this spacious 6^th floor 2 bedroom apartment of 72sqm for €530,000 with a lobby, living room of 22 sqm, separate kitchen, 2 bedrooms with balconies, bathroom and terrace with panoramic sea views of the Mediterranean Sea

For more information please contact Agence 107 Promenade on 00 33 4 93 44 83 83, email contact@107promenade.com or visit www.107promenade.com

York experiences increased visitor and investor interest in 2009

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

2009 has been the year of the staycation, the credit crunch has opened our eyes to the holiday opportunities available right on our doorsteps. There have been some clear winners in the UK holiday bookings stakes, the south-west coast for one but the north of England has also proved a hotspot.

According to hostelworld.com, who have recently released figures showing where people chose to stay this summer, York made the top 10 for percentage increases in visitor bookings. The historic north Yorkshire city experienced a 70% increase in bookings sharing its joint 5^th position with two southern favourites, the famous spa town of Bath and coastal delight Brighton.

Adding to the north Yorkshire appeal, many staycationers opt for the countryside when deciding on their UK holiday destination, after all three quarters of the UK population live and work in urban areas. The affects for hotels is obvious – bumper bookings. Investors today are looking for their piece of the tourism pie and they are opting for stable property markets as their first choice.

In the north Yorkshire countryside nestled between York and Harrogate, lies Flaxby, the home to a new 5 star 303 bedroom hotel, golf and spa resort. From £199,950 for a double hotel room investors can own a piece of this luxury resort and cash in on the guaranteed 39% NET rental return for the first 3 years followed by receiving 50% of the revenue generated (forecast at over 13% gross yield) after the initial first 3 year guarantee is over. With bookings being up in York by 70% alone, this is sure to be a honeypot for tourists.

According to the Halifax’s rural house price index, over the past year rural house prices have not fallen as much as urban properties with the average rural house price sitting 20% higher than urban areas. Interestingly outside of the south the rural area with the highest average property price is in Craven, north Yorkshire, a mere 30 miles from Flaxby. Here a property will set you back over a quarter of a million, £253,141. So for under £200,000 investors today can purchase their own piece of buzzing Yorkshire in the form of a hassle free, fully managed hotel development with guaranteed rentals.

The Flaxby Golf & Country Club will have 5 star facilities suitable for the discerning leisure visitor, VIPs and business users too including a 27 hole golf course, state of the art conferencing facilities and a first class spa facility, as well as a range of leisure facilities and activities. Its service levels will equal those of Park Lane Hotels and the names behind the brand include Michael Vaughan as Head of Corporate Leisure and Elemis operating the Spa facilities.

For more information please contact Experience International on 0208 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.

Property buyers toast to Madeira

by Charlotte Ashton Portugal

Madeira, 1000 km over sea south-west from Portugal’s capital Lisbon, is famous for its sweet wine which was a staple purchase for exploring ships on route to the New World hundreds of years ago. Today this autonomous region of Portugal still pulls in the crowds seeking that taste of the rich liquor coupled with the relaxed and warm Mediterranean climate. Some still come by boat in the form of bustling cruise ships but more so via air and with new flights announced by Jet2.com for 2010, tourism is set to grow meaning an increase in footfall on to the island and good news for property buyers ready to open their doors to holiday rentals.

In 1963 the airport was opened in Madeira, full of eager passengers from Germany, Scandinavia and the UK seeking winter sun and a Mediterranean alternative to the Costa del Sol package holidays. This reigns true today with Madeira attracting a discerning profile of tourists throughout the year. Cruise arrivals to the archipelago are still popular with Funchal, the capital, still a favoured port on the Atlantic cruise routes. As well as for sunshine (and the wine!) visitors now come for holidays with a difference; Madeira has much to offer in the way of leisure activities including walking, surfing, deep-sea fishing and mountaineering. But of course the 20 beautiful blue flag beaches are still a huge draw!

Jet2.com the low cost airline will begin flights from Manchester airport from 3^rd May 2010 for as little as £49.99 one way (including taxes) to Funchal. Ian Doubtfire, Managing Director at Jet2.com comments, “Madeira is a stunning island and an absolutely fantastic summer holiday destination which I am sure will be extremely popular with our customers in the North West and beyond.”

Duarte Ferreira, Director at Madeira Airport, goes on to say, “The launch of this new scheduled route is extremely positive news for Madeira and will open up this beautiful region to many more visitors. The creation of this brand new link, especially at a time when other operators are looking to cut costs and services, plays such an important role for tourism in the region, benefiting the local economy and people working and living on the island. We hope that this partnership with Jet2.com will result in the opening of several new routes from the UK in the near future.”For Experience International, the overseas property agency, Jet2.com’s news simply reinforces their reasons for offering property on the island especially at this time when people are more cautious of investing overseas or are unsure of where is a safe option for their hard-earned cash. Their new off plan development, Azulara, situated on the hillside overlooking Funchal bay and the capital city, comprises of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments for investors with as little as £11,307 cash to spend. With entry levels of only €251,530, Azulara is sure to be a big hit providing the opportunity for holiday lets whilst allowing owners the option of enjoying the property themselves.

Funchal is without doubt the busiest town on this relatively quiet island, it has the appeal of the port plus amenities such as restaurants and shops to satisfy every visitor plus the added bonus of the most sunshine on the island!

Steve Worboys, MD of Experience International comments, “The Azulara Resort matches up with the high expectations that visitors have coming to Madeira with its 5* amenities – spa, gymnasium, swimming pools and exclusive Members Club plus build finishes to exacting standards. Every effort has been made to provide investors with value for money and a secure investment platform including deposit protection for the buyer. The location on the hillside above Funchal speaks for itself in terms of its appeal, it is without doubt a prime spot on the island; there are 180 degree panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean – the perfect place for our clients to enjoy a glass or two of Madeira wine!”

For more information on flights visit jet2.com or contact Experience International for further property information on 020 7321 5858 / www.madeira-property.net.

—– ENDS —–

Azulara, Funchal, Madeira

Azulara Resort comprises of 112 imaginatively designed apartments finished to the highest standards with enviable panoramic sea views. It holds a prime location on the south of the island, situated on the hillside overlooking Funchal Bay, only a few kilometres from the city centre and 20 minutes drive from the international airport. The 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments from €251,530 – €429,038 enjoy 180 degree sea views of the Atlantic Ocean stretching from Funchal to Camara do Lobos.

1 bedroom apartments of 60sqm include private parking, a 3sqm storage room and 20sqm balcony.

3 bedroom apartments of 103.5sqm include double private parking, a 3sqm storage room and 4sqm balcony.

Investment highlights:

– Only £11,307* to invest

– €24,800 instant equity

– Deposit protected by Portuguese law up to twice its value

– Own a 5* property on a prime location with sea views

– 85% mortgages available

– 9.7% gross yields

– Up to €20,519 income after all costs and mortgage payments

– At least 5% pa growth can be expected

– Direct flights from several UK airports

* *All purchases are in Euros and calculated using an exchange rate of 1.1 € to 1 GBP £ in this report

For more information contact Experience International on 020 7321 5858 or visit www.madeira-property.net.

2009 Global sales tour by international French agency

by Charlotte Ashton India Russian Federation Agence 107 Promenade

Promoting Nice real estate worldwide, Kirkor Ajderhanyan, owner of Agence 107 Promenade has completed a world tour to attract new foreign markets.

Nice, like all destinations hasn’t been immune to the economic downturn. In 2008 property asking prices reduced, however due to the limited supply on the Promenade des Anglais and high demand for the glamorous sea front lifestyle Nice offers, prices have remained reasonably stable. Mr Ajderhanyan comments, “Despite the market, we still can’t simply wait for customers to ‘pop in’, in this era of global real estate, it is essential to make the effort to visit potential new markets and forge relationships with new customers.”

Mr Ajderhanyan has recently completed a world tour including visits to Eastern and Central Europe, flying over to Asia, and to both North and South America; an exemplary sales effort for the overseas property industry. And not one step has been without his pocket bible, ‘How to sell efficiently in 60 countries’, an essential reference book listing greetings and business practices worldwide.

Embracing India from Bombay to New Delhi

The new billionaires in India are eager to invest abroad; one recently purchased the one and only private estate on the Lerins Islands facing Cannes for 43 million Euros. “They have access to extremely large budgets and are prepared to spend millions of Euros to buy exceptional properties in relatively stable markets and micro markets such as the south of France”, says Mr Ajderhanyan.

In Saint Petersburg and Moscow

There has long been a love affair between the French Riviera and the Russians and they are now coming back in droves. Not only are the rich Russians are investing in French property but the new booming upper class is attracted as well.

News from Beijing

“Unfortunately it seems that the Chinese do not like to suntan so they tend to opt for cooler climates such as Canada or the West Coast of the USA. In France the Chinese are buying Parisian apartments and vineyards in the countryside but very little on the south coast”, yet Mr Ajderhanyan remains optimistic and is insistent on maintaining presence in this market with such enormous potential.

Menu