If you are looking for the best beach in the world then forget old favourites such as the Maldives or Rio de Janeiro and head to the shores of Sharm El Sheikh according to the latest Kelkoo Beach Index.
Results of the Index, commissioned by Kelkoo and conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research and YouGov, saw the popular resort of Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt ranking in 4th place, just behind Antalya in Turkey, north Tunisia and Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast but notably ahead of the Canary Islands, Bali, Côte d’Azur, Maldives, Hawaii and Rio de Janeiro.
Using the latest official statistics to assess the performance of 10 key travel criteria, the Kelkoo Beach Index revealed that 85% of Britons deemed affordability the number one deciding factor for selecting a holiday destination followed by security (81%), the weather (78%) and good food (77%).
As Steven Worboys, MD of Egypt property experts Experience International, comments,
“It is no surprise that Sharm ranked so highly. Located on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, it’s renowned for its year round attractive climate with average annual temperatures of 35˚C and 13 hours of sunshine per day. Combined with the low cost of living, ease of access from the UK and its location outside the euro zone, Sharm El Sheikh should be on every holidaymaker’s wish list.”
Tourism levels have been rising steadily across Egypt, even through the recent economic downturn with strong revenue figures reported for the first half of 2010. According to Egypt’s Tourism Minster, the country’s tourism generated revenue increased by 17.6% to over $5.5 billion in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
As Worboys remarks,
“Over 7 million foreign tourists visited Egypt in the first half of this year, a significant number coming from Russia during the winter months, and this figures is expected to at least double by the end of 2010. This influx is generating significant demand for accommodation with savvy second property owners cashing and renting their homes on both long and short term lets.”
One development located in a premium position, just a few minutes walk from the world class beaches of Sharm El Sheikh is Shark’s Bay Oasis. These high quality 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, some completed and ready to move into or rent out now, afford direct sea views and superb communal facilities including the choice of four swimming pools and a children’s playground.
Properties are currently available from £118,700; for more information please contact the experts at Experience International on + 44 (0) 207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.co.uk.