Record numbers of visitors head to Spain – and many of them are looking to stay long-term

Record numbers of visitors head to Spain – and many of them are looking to stay long-term

by Charly Spain
  • Spaniards are healthier and live longer than the rest of Europe (WHO)
  • Summer season visitor numbers up 6% (Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism)
  • Costa del Sol buyers looking to stay in Spain for longer (Taylor Wimpey España)

According to the latest World Health Organisation findings, the Spanish have the best health and life expectancy of any country in Europe. Plentiful sunshine and fresh air, a Mediterranean diet and fabulous local wine (the Spanish consume 11.2 litres of alcohol per person per year, against a world average of 6.2 litres) are all likely contributors to the robust longevity of the Iberian nation.

These factors, plus golden sandy beaches and bustling, contemporary cities, are some of the reasons that Spain is enduringly popular with visitors. Tourist numbers increased by 6% over summer 2015 and are expected to hit 68 million in total for the year, according to José Manuel Soria, Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism.

The Minister has highlighted tourism’s importance to the Spanish economic recovery. In the last 12 months, the sector has contributed 11% to GDP and 12% to employment. It has also offset Spain’s trade deficit by an impressive 256%.

Spain’s property market is also faring well. According to Q2 2015 figures from the official registrars, the number of house sales in Spain is up 13.91% on the previous year, with 104,530 transactions recorded during the quarter. Ministry of Development figures show that foreign buyers accounted for 18.41% of transactions, while Spanish land registry figures show that buyers from the UK made up 19.8% of those foreign buyers – more than any other nationality.

With the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca two of the most popular areas for foreigners buying homes in Spain, Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“As well as seeing record foreign visitor numbers this summer, Spain has also seen a huge amount of interest from overseas property buyers looking for a dream home in the sunshine. Taylor Wimpey España has had a bumper summer, with UK buyers in particular keen to purchase property here. Many of them are looking for more than just a couple of weeks’ use of their second home during the summer months. We’re seeing buyers who are keen to stay for extended periods – often weeks or months at a time – and many who plan to make the move to Spain fulltime.”

Eef Meijer and Lydia Kosijungan, from the Netherlands, are one such couple. Eef and Lydia purchased a Taylor Wimpey España home in Marbella as a second home using the profit from selling their house in Holland. They plan to use the apartment for one to two weeks each month and then move there fulltime in two years.

Proximity to the beach and to fantastic golf courses were two of the key reasons that the couple bought on the Costa del Sol, as they are for many British buyers. Two of the best developments on the market currently for beach and golf access are La Floresta Sur and Miraval.

La Floresta Sur enjoys stunning sea and mountain views, with the spacious apartments nestled in a tranquil location close to Elvira Beach. The development is close enough to Marbella to benefit from the shops, restaurants and nightlife, but enough removed to offer a haven of peace and quiet to those who own properties there. Prices start at €192,000 for a Mediterranean style two bedroom apartment with external private parking and use of two generously sized communal swimming pools and landscaped gardens.

Miraval is the perfect second home location for golf lovers, being sited at the respected La Cala Golf Resort near Mijas. Views stretch over the fairways to the deep blue sea, just 10 minutes from the development. Prices are from €279,000 for a two bedroom apartment, which includes a wonderful shared pool and lush grounds.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Future bright for Albania as pillar industries go from strength to strength

Future bright for Albania as pillar industries go from strength to strength

by Charly Albania
  • Albania’s construction sector grows by 24.49% in Q2 of 2015 (INSTAT)
  • Number of visitors to Albania increases by 25% this summer (INSTAT)
  • World Bank predicts Albanian economy will record growing trends during the fourth quarter of this year

The latest statistics to be released by Albania’s institute of national statistics, INSTAT, show the country’s GDP grew by an impressive 2.53% in Q2 of 2015. Albania’s growing property industry is one of the essential industries behind this increase, with the construction sector recording a significant 24.49% growth in comparison to the same period last year.

With a booming construction sector the Albanian government have recently suggested that they are preparing new policies to improve the tourism sector in line with this, hinting at the reduction of value-added tax (VAT) for accommodation facilities. Using the success of one sector to strengthen another, Sonja Popa, director of tourism development in Albanian Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism advises that they have “proposed a reduction of VAT to about 10%”, a bold, landmark move.

Now an additional pillar industry for the country, Albania’s tourism levels have become increasingly significant to the success of the country’s economy. Fortunately the number of tourists visiting Albania, be it to see the beautiful Adriatic coastline or the historical cities of Berat and Gjirokaster, is also increasing with this summer season having welcomed 25% more visitors overall compared to 2014.

According to INSTAT, the second quarter of 2015 has also seen a 42.1% increase in the number of foreigners who were visiting for vacation purposes, highlighting the recent surge of international interest as Albania emerges as a must see destination.

Peter Walshe, Sales & Marketing Director of Albania’s first affordably luxurious resort, Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, comments on this current influx of visitors,

“The excitement around Albania is continuing to build as it begins to draw parallel with other European summer tourist hotspots. With a stabilising economy and growing construction and tourism sectors, the element of the unknown surrounding Albania is starting to dissolve, leaving behind a heightened curiosity of what this beautiful, mostly undiscovered, country has to offer.”

“With such a significant increase in tourism this summer it is clear that word is starting to spread and more and more people are choosing to explore Albania as a holiday destination. As global interest continues to build, here at Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa we are thrilled to be a part of this period of change as Albania’s great potential is exposed.”

The most recent World Bank report predicts that the Albanian economy will record growing trends during the fourth quarter of this year, exceeding other regional countries’ economic growth. Emerging as a competitive economy within the region, Albania is not only becoming a must-visit tourist destination, international buyers are also turning their attention to the prospective investment options that are starting to arise.

Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa provides a vast selection of investment and lifestyle opportunities to suit each individual buyer’s needs. The beautiful beachfront resort comprises of one and two bedroom apartments and three and four bedroom villas as well as a select number of five and six luxury freehold villas.

Apartments are well designed and generously proportioned, while the villas are the height of luxury, each benefitting from the option of a private pool, with prices ranging from €50,000 for apartments and from €180,000 for villas. Just 30 minutes from Tirana International Airport, the resort is situated in the perfect location for a relaxing beach holiday or a trip of a more adventurous nature exploring Albania’s entire coastline and stunning mountainous interior.

Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa also boasts an assortment of 5-star amenities including a beach club, tennis courts and a range of shops and eating and drinking facilities, alongside a 24 hour on-call medical service onsite and 24/7 security presence.

For more information, contact Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa on +44 845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com

Planet property: Global house price report highlight’s world’s real estate hotspots

Planet property: Global house price report highlight’s world’s real estate hotspots

by Charly Germany United Kingdom United States
  • Global house prices rising at 4.7% per year (Economist House Price Index)
  • UK, US and Germany highlighted as real estate hotspots (Property Frontiers)
  • Output rising across entire UK construction sector (Markit/CIPS UK construction PMI)

The Economist House Price Index is one of the most important reports when it comes to providing a snapshot of the health of the world’s real estate markets. The latest report, released in October 2015, paints a largely positive picture of the planet’s property. Of the 26 markets studied, prices are rising in 21 of them, at a median pace of 4.7% per year.

Knowing where to invest

“Data such as this is key when it comes to knowing where to invest,” comments Ray Withers, CEO of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers. “It’s encouraging to see that the UK, the US and Germany are all enjoying sustained price rises. It shows how sensible our clients have been in investing in buy-to-let properties in those countries.”

Looking at the UK

House prices in the UK have been rising since Q2 2009, albeit with a few bumps along the way, according to the Economist’s report. Nationally they’ve risen by 11.5% in Britain between then and Q4 2014. The new-found confidence in the market has seen construction pick up pace, with the latest Markit/CIPS UK construction PMI reporting rising output across all parts of the industry in September 2015 – the 28th month in a row that the sector has been creating jobs. All of which is great news for property investors looking for a stable market.

One area of the UK that is firmly on buy-to-let investors’ maps is Manchester, and in particular Salford Quays. The area is booming and developments like Custom Quay, where the 60 one and two bedroom duplex apartments are available for investment from £127,000 with 8.4% expected yield, are attracting investors keen to be a part of the city’s bright future.

Heading across the pond

Over in the US, the figures paint a different picture, but one that is equally interesting from an investment perspective. Though prices have broadly been rising since Q1 2012, they remain some 22.4% below their peak value in 2006. For property investors, this means the chance to invest in real estate that could well increase in value at quite a pace over the years ahead.

At Chandler Oaks in South Carolina, just 45 minutes from the huge financial hub of Charlotte over the border in North Carolina, the potential for returns is certainly exciting, with investment from $48,671 and a minimum of 11.4% gross yield for two bed apartments. Fully tenanted and fully managed by a local property management company, the development is proving extremely popular, with 70% of the apartments already snapped up.

Buy-to-let in Berlin

Back in Europe, Germany is another country that is the focus of buy-to-let investors’ attention. The market in Berlin has some interesting characteristics, including rising rents (even with rent controls in place) and low property prices. Stadtpark Steglitz is a collection of studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments spread across three buildings in the south west of Berlin. Investment prices start from €109,000, with gross yields up to 5.6% realistically expected.

According to the Economist’s House Price Index report, home values in Germany were largely immune to the global financial crisis that started in 2006/07. In fact, prices there have remained fairly stable since the mid-1990s. It is only since around Q1 2009 that they have begun to rise steeply. Between then and Q4 2014, house prices shot up by 22.8% in Germany, delighting those who had already invested in property there and causing other investors to pay cities like Berlin some serious attention.

For further details, visit www.propertyfrontiers.com or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.

Huge new resource site Data.Kyero.com brings Big Data to the Spanish property market

Huge new resource site Data.Kyero.com brings Big Data to the Spanish property market

by Charly Spain
  • Latest statistics on all aspects of Spanish property market now just one click away
  • Kyero Spanish House Price Index releases 70th edition, celebrating a decade of releases
  • com reveals exciting new look and feel

Understanding the Spanish property market just got a whole lot easier. The brand new Data.Kyero.com site, from the team behind the hugely successful Kyero.com property portal, offers up to the minute stats on anything and everything relating to Spanish property.

From historic government data to fresh market intelligence, the Data.Kyero.com transforms a vast array of mind-boggling numbers into helpful, intelligible data.

Whether it’s market summaries, asking prices, market activity, official indices or demographics that you need to know about, Data.Kyero.com has it covered. Director Martin Dell comments on the launch,

“We’ve been working on Data.Kyero.com for some time, so it’s really exciting to be able to present it to the world now. The more we thought about the site, the bigger it got – we wanted it to be the “go to” resource for anyone who wants to know about Spanish property, whether an individual buyer or real estate professional.

“No one has dared take on this Goliath before due to the sheer scope and complexity of the data; it was an ambitious move and literally took years of hard work but it was well worth it. It’s wonderful to see Data.Kyero.com go live.”

The site’s user-friendly design is ideal for those looking for quick and easy access to data on Spain. Take the population figures. A chart shows the rise and fall of the Spanish population since 2000. Want to see the raw data instead? Simply click to reveal a data table with figures broken down by year and gender.

For those who like to keep up to date with the latest market information, Data.Kyero.com also includes a handy alerts feature, enabling users to receive priority alerts on the latest news and official data releases by email.

Perhaps one of the most exciting features is the market summary page, which provides a comprehensive snapshot of the state of the Spanish property market in real time. From the median property price and number of domestic mortgage approvals to the level of sales to international buyers and the cost of living index, Data.Kyero.com delivers the ultimate market snapshot.

The Kyero.com team have long been known for their love of statistics. The quarterly Kyero Spanish House Price Index has just released its 70th edition, having covered regional and national house prices trends for a decade.

Of course at the heart of all these numbers is the passion for Spanish property that drives the Kyero.com team to continue innovating. The Kyero.com portal has itself received a makeover to tie in with the launch of its new sister site, Data.Kyero.com, making it even easier for users to browse Spanish property in search of their dream home in the sun. Kyero.com lists more than 200,000 properties from over 3,000 estate agents, offering a vast array of Spanish homes for sale, to rent and as holiday lets.

Now, thanks to the launch of Data.Kyero.com, all those searching for the perfect Spanish property will be much better informed about the market.

For further details on properties to rent and buy across Spain, visit www.kyero.com. For the latest data on the state of the Spanish property market, visit https://data.kyero.com.

Penultimate Overseas Property Show heads for Watford this autumn

Penultimate Overseas Property Show heads for Watford this autumn

by Charly World
  • Penultimate show of 2015 tour to arrive in Watford from 23-25 October
  • Portugal, Cyprus, Spain, Italy and Florida to be showcased during bumper show
  • UK buyers look for sunshine overseas in preparation for winter months

The hugely successful Overseas Property Show is soon to arrive in Watford as part of its 2015 national tour. The penultimate show of 2015 will be a bumper three day event held in the glamorous surroundings of the ballroom of the Mercure Watford from 23-25 October 2015. The show will present properties from Portugal, Cyprus, Spain, Italy and Florida to UK buyers. The huge range of properties will include everything from penthouse apartments with roof terraces for sun lovers to beachfront apartments with pools for water babies!

Chris White, Founding Director of boutique real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, which will be exhibiting at every show, comments,

“Much of Europe is a buyer’s market at the moment, so far as UK property buyers are concerned. In Portugal, buyers have a wide choice of villas with pools or beachfront apartments, all for the same price as a shabby inner city terrace house in many parts of the UK. Over in Cyprus, it’s quite incredible to see what you can get for your money. It’s a really exciting time to buy overseas, particularly as the UK starts heading towards winter and buyers start planning for their winter sunshine.”

The free to attend Overseas Property Show is about more than just buying a home though. It’s also about speaking to those who have lived and worked overseas (as well as bought property there) in order to understand what life is really like when you’re faced with 300+ days of sunshine per year.

Many of those who attend the Overseas Property Show do so with a notion of moving overseas one day, either in the near future or when they retire. Speaking to local experts about the benefits of life in the sun, as well as the pitfalls to avoid, can be incredibly useful in informing such plans. From taxes to inheritance to pensions – no subject is off limits when it comes to asking for information and advice.

Even those with no desire to leave the UK can benefit from attending, as rental properties in European hotspots can be an excellent way to generate income and enjoy capital growth over the longer-term.

Whether it’s advice, guidance, a second home or even a commercial property investment that you’re after, the Overseas Property Show is the place to be in Watford this 23-25 October. From a penthouse apartment with pool and BBQ area in Portugal, to a Sea Caves villa in Cyprus, to a sun-kissed, front line villa in Spain, the Overseas Property Show has it all.

Tickets are free to obtain and full details can be found at www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

“It’s going to be an incredible show,” concludes Chris White. “UK buyers are eager to know just what buying a property abroad really entails and that is precisely why the Overseas Property Show is here to help. It’s a fantastic way to start turning that dream of winter sunshine into a reality.”

For further details visit www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com, call (0800) 133 7644 / +351 289 513 434 or email info@theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

Join the Millionaires’ Club: The best 7 figure homes around the world

Join the Millionaires’ Club: The best 7 figure homes around the world

by Charly Cyprus Portugal Spain Turkey United Kingdom , , , ,
  • Enjoy easy access to London from your Grade I listed home in Surrey (Barton Wyatt)
  • Buy a villa in Turkey so high-tech you can manage it from your phone (Universal21)
  • Relax in style in the Costa Blanca’s most sought-after postcode (Kyero.com)

Being able to spend a million pounds on a property opens up a huge choice of homes available. Knowing whether to opt for a plush pad perfect for accessing in London or a sprawling beachfront villa overseas can be a tough choice.

Within easy reach of London, the delightful community of Virginia Water offers an exceptional standard of apartment living for just under £1,000,000. The Grange at Virginia Park is a prestigious, gated development consisting of a handful of beautifully finished apartments set in a magnificent Gothic Grade I listed building, from renowned local estate agent Barton Wyatt. £935,000 will buy a two/three bedroom, two bathroom apartment with secure underground parking for three cars, 24 hour manned security and extensive leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi and sauna, a well equipped gym and a tennis court.

For those who prefer to spend their million pounds overseas, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus all offer a host of fabulous properties. In Spain, €1,350,000 (which equates to around £1,000,000 at the current exchange rate) is sufficient to purchase a four bedroom, three bathroom villa with private swimming pool in one of the northern Costa Blanca’s most sought-after locations.

Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com, which covers sales, long-term rentals and holiday lets, comments,

“A million pounds is enough to secure some really beautiful Spanish properties right now. With prices in Spain still below their former peak, it’s a great time to buy, before prices rise substantially again, so you can pick up a fabulous second home that’s also a good investment for the future.”

Prices in neighbouring Portugal are also still below their previous peak, with the market having bottomed out in 2014. Buying through Ideal Homes Portugal, a four bedroom, six bathroom villa in Varandas do Lago, complete with private swimming pool, outside terrace and BBQ area within a 1,030 sqm plot, is available for €1,425,000.

Meanwhile in Cyprus, available through Ideal Homes International, the captivating resort of Minthis Hills near the city of Paphos includes a fabulous three bedroom, three bathroom villa for €1,350,000. Architects Woods Bagot have opted for convenience, comfort and luxury in the design of these stunning homes, which boast panoramic mountain and coastal views, an on-site clubhouse with restaurant, a spa and health club, housekeeping and a round-the-clock concierge.

For buyers wishing to head further afield with their million pounds, Turkey offers an excellent choice of second home location. The stunning Oceanic Bay View villas from specialist local property company Universal21 are available for TRY4,825,274 (£1,064,865). The luxury residences offer smart house systems, whereby devices in the villa can be controlled via computer or smartphone. Rainwater harvesting, solar panels and a wind turbine ensure that these homes offer the latest in green credentials, while the same care has been given to social facilities on the development. A clubhouse with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, fitness club, spa centre, restaurant, sauna, Turkish bath and steam bath provide the ultimate in rest and relaxation amenities.

Whether it’s a plush apartment in Surrey, an ultra high tech villa in Turkey or an opulent country home in Portugal, it’s clear that £1,000,000 opens up a vast array of property options to the modern buyer.

For more information please contact:

Barton Wyatt: 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

Ideal Homes Portugal: 0800 133 7644, +351 289 513 434 or www.idealhomesportugal.com

Ideal Homes International: 02477 050 898 or www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk

Universal21: 0203 287 8700 or www.universal21.com

British buyer numbers up 38% on the Costa del Sol, reports Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España

British buyer numbers up 38% on the Costa del Sol, reports Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España

by Charly Spain
  • Spain accounts for 1/3 of top travel destinations searched for by UK holidaymakers (TravelSupermarket)
  • Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España enjoys surge in British buyers during September
  • 5% of holidaymakers made friends on their last holiday (Holiday Hypermarket)

Whether for a cheap summer holiday with the kids or a long-term second home investment on a prestigious resort, Spain has long been a favourite with visitors from the UK. The Iberian country’s particular blend of sunshine, beaches, tapas and low prices, all within a short flight from a plethora of UK airports, makes it a firm favourite with UK holidaymakers each year.

This summer, figures from TravelSupermarket saw Spanish locations account for a third of the top ten destinations searched for by UK holidaymakers. And according to Taylor Wimpey España buyers as well as holidaymakers from the UK are still firmly committed to Spain and to the Costa del Sol. The leading Spanish homebuilder, which has developments on Mallorca, the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol, has just reported excellent sales figures for September, including an impressive 38% year to date increase in British buyers.

Marc Pritchard, Taylor Wimpey España’s Sales and Marketing Director, comments,

“Holidaymakers from the UK have a long-standing love of Spain and in particular the Costa del Sol. The excellent climate, plentiful beaches and warm sea temperatures make it a wonderful place for a family holiday. Many of our buyers have been coming to Spain for decades – often their parents brought them here when they were children and now that they have children of their own they feel the time is right to put down some roots in Spain by buying a second home here.”

Along the Costa del Sol, buyers have some fabulous developments to choose from. At Elvira, near Marbella, La Floresta Sur offers spacious apartments in a peaceful setting with charming sea and mountain views. As well as access to the nearby Elvira Beach and the site’s two large communal pools, owners can enjoy free access to the facilities of El Soto Golf Club, making La Floresta Sur the ideal holiday home location for keen golfers as well as those looking to relax on the beach. The striking surroundings have been declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Prices start at €192,000.

Further along the coast, at La Cala Golf Resort near Mijas is the charming Miraval development. The two and three bedroom, two bathroom apartments are just 10 minutes from some of the Costa del Sol’s finest beaches, with prices starting from €279,000. The apartments enjoy lush communal gardens, with a lovely shared pool and views of the scenic golf course and the sparkling sea. As with all Taylor Wimpey España properties, the apartments are finished to a high standard throughout, offering buyers a luxurious home away from home under the Spanish sunshine.

With a large expat community, the Costa del Sol offers a sense of welcome to many Brits looking to holiday or indeed to buy a property in that part of Spain. According to the Holiday Hypermarket 2015 Holiday Friendship Survey, 82.5% of holidaymakers reported making friends on their last holiday, 66.2% of them with other British tourists. With so many Brits basking in the sunshine of the Costa del Sol just waiting to make friends, as well as the warmth of the Spanish locals, it is easy to see why the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere of the Costa del Sol continues to capture the hearts and minds of UK tourists every year.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Chinese tourists head to Le Marche in search of the real Italy

Chinese tourists head to Le Marche in search of the real Italy

by Charly Italy
  • Chinese tourist numbers to reach 100 million in 2015 (China Tourist Agency)
  • China to account for 22% of tourism expenditure by 2020 (UNTWO)
  • Luxury fractional ownership holiday home company Appassionata welcomes first Chinese owner

Since the World Expo first opened its doors in Milan in May 2015, visitor numbers to the Italian city have increased by more than 600%, according to the latest data from travel agency eDreams. The impact on the city has been significant, but heightened visitor numbers have not just impacted on Milan in isolation.

On Italy’s eastern coast, in the central Le Marche region, locals have noticed a significant increase in visitor numbers over the summer months. Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs, owner of local fractional ownership holiday home business Appassionata, comments,

“We’ve seen a big increase in tourist numbers this year. In particular Le Marche has enjoyed having visitors from America, Australia, other parts of Europe and China. The restaurants, bars and cafés have all had a bumper summer and the extended heat-wave has certainly helped. We’ve also had a lot of foreigners coming to Le Marche to get married this year – and with a setting this stunning one can easily see why!”

Dawn is referring to the rolling hills, deep blue skies and abundant flowers surrounding the medieval hilltop town of Petritoli, where Appassionata’s luxury townhouse, Casa Tre Archi, is located. The property boasts outdoor space at every turn, with accommodation split across three levels. Three bedrooms and three bathrooms make the fractional ownership property ideal for use as a family holiday home as well as a place to stay on a break with friends. Owners are entitled to five weeks’ exclusive use of the property per year, with prices starting from £75,000.

Many of those visiting Le Marche have also taken in Milan as part of their travels, with just 4.5 hours in the car separating the two. The World Expo there has attracted tourists from across the globe and not least from China, which has the largest pavilion at the event. The number of Chinese visitors ranks third overall, closely following those from the US and France.

With the largest number of outbound tourists of any country (the number should reach 100 million by the end of the year, according to the Chinese Tourist Agency), China is leading the world not only in visitor numbers but also in holiday spending. Chinese tourists currently spend around €75 billion annually, while the UN World Tourism Organization has projected that China will account for 22% of global tourist expenditure by 2020.

According to China National Tourism Administration data, Italy is Chinese tourists’ favourite holiday destination within Europe and the Italian government has been courting the Chinese market for some time. Prior to the expo, the Italian consulate in Shanghai committed to a 36 hour turnaround time for all visa applications for travel to Italy.

“The Italian Government Tourist Board (ENIT) has made the greatest effort to oversee this market,” comments Andrea Babbi, Director General of ENIT, “We have organized educational tours that involved over 70 Chinese tour operators, we met in China around 500 local tour operators, and we organized travel for 150 Chinese journalists to visit Italy.”

Italian companies are also joining the effort, by applying for China Tourism Academy certification. The ‘Chinese Welcome’ certification rates companies and services on how welcoming they are to Chinese tourists, such as the Italo NTV train company, which displays information signs in Chinese as well as Italian.

In Le Marche, the Appassionata team have just welcomed their first Chinese owner to Casa Tre Archi. Roland Marcz advised Dawn and her family team that Chinese visitors now wanted to look beyond cities like Florence and Rome in order to experience the tranquil way of life, climate, culture and cuisine of the ‘real’ Italy. Compared with the fast pace of life in Shanghai, Petritoli offers a haven of peace. Roland comments,

“What becomes clearly apparent after living in this house even for a day is that the location could not be better, with amazing views from every window that are never, even at the back of the house, short of amazing, and to include three terraces on three levels of this manor is an added bonus that brings the outdoors with its blue skies and fragrant Italian air so close to home that we feel complete and satisfied with every sense of our being!”

As Chinese tourist numbers continue to increase, those countries ahead of the curve in welcoming them are set to benefit hugely and within Europe it is Italy that has taken pole position.

For more information visit www.appassionata.com or contact the Appassionata team on +39 33154 13225.

Foodies fill their Basque-ts with bargain properties

Foodies fill their Basque-ts with bargain properties

by Charly France Spain
  • 10% of world’s top 50 restaurants in the Basque Country (Euromonitor)
  • Locals swapping pricey properties for fabulous food (Kyero.com)
  • Just 1,600 Brits live in the Southern Basque Country at present (Ministry of Employment and Social Security)

The Basque Country, spread across France and Spain in the Western Pyrenees, is a region with a well-known and fascinating political and historical story. But these days, the area also has a growing reputation as one of Europe’s most tantalising locations for foodies.

Basque Country cuisine draws elements from both Spanish and French cooking, blending them in ways that delight the taste-buds and draw in gourmet travellers from across the world. According to El Pais, the cuisine blends traditional methods, seasonal local ingredients and imaginative technical know-how in order to create something truly special.

The Southern Basque Country, consisting of the three provinces of Álava, Biscay, Gipuzkoa, the two enclaves (Enclave of Treviño and Valle de Villaverde) and the Chartered Community of Navarre, contains half of Spain’s eight restaurants with three Michelin stars. Three are in Gipuzkoa and one in Biscay. Not only that, but five of the world’s 50 best restaurants, according to the Euromonitor Consumer Lifestyles in Spain Aug 2015 report, are located in the Basque Country. Astonishingly, that’s as many as can be found in the whole of France.

The Basque city of San Sebastian is gourmet paradise, with a total of 16 Michelin stars awarded to restaurants in the city and its outlying areas. According to Euromonitor, no other area on Earth can claim to have such a density of Michelin stars.

But foodie heaven comes at a price. According to data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE), although the Basque cost of living is spot on the national average for Spain, the cost of food and drink there is well above average.

At the three Michelin starred Arzakis, a meal can cost around €200 per head. Interestingly, the restaurant’s clientele consists largely of local middle class families, rather than the super-rich, according to Arzakis’ proprietor. Gourmet tourists are also drawn to Arzakis and the Basque Country’s other three starred establishments.

So how is it that locals can afford to splurge regularly on such fabulous and expensive food? Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com, which lists more than 200,000 homes from 3,000 estate agents, explains,

“It’s interesting in the Southern Basque Country to see that despite the average cost of living, property is 9% cheaper than the average cost across Spain, according to the INE House Price Index. It seems that locals – and second home owners – are balancing out their big food budgets by saving on property.”

Spain’s Basque Country regions are still relatively un-discovered (at least compared with the Costas) when it comes to British home owners. According to the Spanish Ministry of Employment and Social Security, there are just 1,600 Brits among the 56,000 foreign residents of the Southern Basque Country, with the majority being made up of Portuguese and Romanian settlers.

However, with the area’s fast-growing reputation as one of the tastiest places on the planet, Brits looking for a second home in Spain and thinking with their stomachs may well be inspired to head north instead of south in increasing numbers over the years ahead!

For further details on properties to rent and buy across Spain, visit www.kyero.com.

Property Frontiers secures significant new investment to propel the multi award-winning investment agency to new heights

Property Frontiers secures significant new investment to propel the multi award-winning investment agency to new heights

by Charly United Kingdom

Oxford-based investment agency, Property Frontiers, has today announced that it has secured significant new private investment to fund its future international growth.

As part of the new deal, a strategic focus for the firm in 2015, Property Frontiers will expand its UK office network as well as commence overseas operations in order to engage further with its global client base.

Co-Founder and long standing CEO, Ray Withers, comments,

“Property Frontiers was founded over a decade ago with the ardent aim of offering the best international property investment opportunities, in the world’s most exciting markets to our clients, delivered with genuine, consultative advice.

“We believe that we have successfully achieved this ambition and now want to catalyse our international expansion, ensuring we bring our award-winning levels of customer service to even more clients across the globe.”

To fund the future growth of Property Frontiers, the firm has successfully attracted sizeable new private investment, which will be channeled into research, client-centric sales operations, first-class customer service and expanding the international network of offices.

Withers concludes,

“This new funding enables us here at Property Frontiers to greatly accelerate our ambition for growth in new territories whilst ensuring we continue to lead the way in terms of customer service and delivering the best global property investment opportunities available.”

In line with the new investment and their expansion plans, Property Frontiers’ Finance Director, Kate McCormack, has been promoted to a position on the Board whilst Chairman David Cox has stepped down.

As Property Frontiers will be expanding their operations, the company would like to encourage anyone interested in joining the team to contact them directly on +44 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.

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Notes to Editors:

Who are Property Frontiers?

The UK’s most trusted and established international property investment advisor – we have a track record in sniffing out the best international property investments to bring our clients proven and sustained investment returns across the world. Since 2004 we have helped over 3,500 investors to find the right investment – almost half of whom have chosen to reinvest their returns through us.

With our unrivalled experience and knowledge, we pioneer new markets securely and conduct extensive independent research and thorough due diligence to minimise, as best we can, any investment risk. It is this experience and our reputation that sets us apart. Independently awarded and as founder members of the AIPP (Association of International Property Professionals), we believe we set the standard with our professionalism, customer service, innovative products and client-centric approach.

+44 1865 202 700

www.propertyfrontiers.com