Tony Blair’s Balkans visit set to boost investor confidence and push Albania towards EU membership

by Kate Albania
The former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has now joined forces with Albania’s newest leader, Edi Rama, to advise the Balkan nation on attracting foreign investment, promoting tourism and EU integration.
Blair is hot on the heels of his former adviser Alistair Campbell, who provided advice to the Albanian Socialists during their successful electoral campaign earlier this year with the new Albanian PM saying last week that Blair would be ´personally and voluntarily´ advising the Albanian government and assisting with his ´extraordinary experience and political geniality.´
Announcing his support at a briefing in the capital Tirana last week, Mr Blair and his team will provide advice on how to modernise and implement a reform agenda in order to keep the Balkan nation’s economy growing and inject life into the tourism market with a view to be the next to join the other 28 nations in the EU. This advice is being offered at no cost to the Albanian government.
And indeed the figures are already looking positive. Albania is visited by 4.7 million tourists annually with the direct contribution of travel & tourism to the economy standing at €580m (6.2% of total GDP) in 2011, and forecast to rise by 5.4% per annum to €1.03bn by 2022.
This confident forecast is set to not only further bolster the Albanian economy but drive forward its emerging property as more and more tourists look to make their stay more permanent.
Peter Walshe, Marketing Director of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, the 5* luxury residential development located on Albania´s Adriatic coastline, under construction by a British developer, comments,
“As has been witnessed in many other European countries, in tandem with tourism growth comes development of the real estate market and Albania is no exception. Here at Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa we have seen an explosion of interest for new, western style properties in prime locations not least accelerated by the strengthening of the Albanian Lek and the depreciation of the Euro, boosting buyer confidence especially from areas outside of the Eurozone.
“The change of government and employment of eminent political figures such as Tony Blair reinforces the on-going bid for the rising Balkan nation to join the EU. Reaching EU candidate status would further increase the economic appeal of Albania, making it even more attractive to property investors and second home owners alike.”
EU membership may be the end goal but this Land of the Eagles is already a rising star on the global stage. G Adventures, Frommers and the Daily Telegraph amongst others, have all included Albania in their 2013 travel bucket lists. Indeed, “emerging” as it may be this tiny Balkan nation is already a well-known hotspot for regional travellers from Germany, Italy and Macedonia. It´s also well serviced by Europe´s popular budget airlines and will no doubt become an even bigger tourist draw as a future EU member state.
For those wishing to snap up a bargain luxury property on Albania´s hotly tipped Adriatic coastline, why not take a look at Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa?
Only moments away from the beach, the stunning resort apartments and villas are designed to be the ultimate beach properties in Albania affording private swimming pools, BBQ area, tennis courts and superb restaurants. Homes are priced from just €32,000.
For more information on the Adriatic´s secret jewel please contact Lalzit Bay on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com .

A new dawn for Albania. With Rama’s Socialist party at the helm, and Tony Blair advising, will this Balkan brother become one of Europe’s biggest players?

by Kate Albania
Albania´s ex-Prime Minister Sali Berisha chaired his last government meeting last week after a defeat in the June 23rd parliamentary elections by the Socialists now headed by Edi Rama, Tirana’s former mayor, who was officially inaugurated on Monday of this week as Albania’s new leader.
  • Socialist Edi Rama officially inaugurated on 9th September as Albanian leader
  • Tourism set to directly contribute over 1 billion euros to Albanian GDP by 2022 
 
The new prime minister reflected on the previous government and pledged to transform the economy with the political guidance of external advisories such as former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair, vowing greater integration with the European Union and a promise to tackle endemic corruption and organised crime in the Balkan country.  
Indeed the figures don’t lie, Albania is visited annually by 4.7 million tourists with the direct contribution of travel & tourism to GDP standing at €580m  (6.2% of total GDP) in 2011, and forecast to rise by 5.4% per annum to €1.03bn by 2022.
This positive forecast is set to not only further bolster the Balkan nation’s economy but drive forward its emerging holiday home market as more and more tourists look to make their stay more permanent.
Peter Walshe, Marketing Director of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, the 5* luxury residential development located on Albania’s Adriatic coastline comments,
“As has been witnessed in many other European countries, in tandem with tourism growth comes development of the real estate market and Albania is no exception. Here at Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa we have seen an explosion of interest for new, western style properties in prime locations not least accelerated by the strengthening of the Albanian Lek and the depreciation of the Euro, boosting buyer confidence especially from areas outside of the Eurozone.
“The change of government reinforces the on-going bid for the rising Balkan nation to join the EU. Reaching EU candidate status would further increase the economic appeal of Albania, making it even more attractive to property investors and second home owners.”
EU membership may be the end goal but this Land of the Eagles is already a rising star on the global stage. G Adventures, Frommers and the Daily Telegraph amongst others, have all included Albania on their 2013 bucket lists.
Indeed, “emerging” as it may be this tiny Balkan nation is already a well-known hotspot for regional travellers from Germany, Italy and Macedonia. It’s also well serviced by Europe’s popular budget airlines and will no doubt become an even bigger tourist draw as a future member state of the EU.
For those wishing to snap up a bargain luxury property on Albania’s hotly tipped Adriatic coastline in 2013, why not take a look at Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa?
Only moments away from the beach, the stunning resort apartments and villas are designed to be the ultimate beach properties in Albania affording private swimming pools, BBQ area, tennis courts and superb restaurants. Homes are priced from just €32,000.
For more information on the Adriatic’s secret jewel please contact Lalzit Bay on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com .

Swiss lead tourism influx to Albania with over 40,000 visiting the Balkan nation in 2012

by Kate Albania

Albania may once have been one of the very few unexplored countries in Europe but tourism has gained a foothold in recent years with the number of foreigners visiting the beautiful virgin beaches, ancient towns, lagoons, national parks and plethora of other attractions growing rapidly.

  • Influx of Swiss tourists rising from 6,000 in 2005 to over 40,000 in 2012 (Swissinfo)
  • Over 80,000 Britons visit Albania each year (Gov.uk)
  • Albanian economy expected to grow by 3% in 2013
  • Another low cost airline opens a route to Tirana 
The biggest recorded increase is from Switzerland, rising from about 6,000 visitors in 2005 to more than 40,000 last year, followed closely by visitors from Albania’s neighbours – Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro.
But visitor numbers from other further afield European nation such as Greece, Italy, Germany and Poland are also increasing with over 80,000 Britons alone descending on this undiscovered jewel of the Balkans each year.
In an attempt to capitalise on the lucrative ‘holiday buck’ Albania has been investing heavily in building and improving the infrastructure in tourist areas over the last few years. One such destination is Lalzit Bay on the Adriatic coast which has seen foreign direct investment improve the road network, water systems and cleanliness of the beach amongst other things.
And it is this commitment to improve the former communist nation’s infrastructure, boost tourism and levels of FDI which is driving forecasted GDP growth of 3% for 2013.
Peter Walshe, Marketing Director of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, the luxury residential developer responsible for the majority of infrastructural improvement in the area, comments,
“Albania’s economy has benefitted substantially from a decade of increased openness and flexibility and has weathered the immediate impact of the global economic crisis unlike many of its European neighbours. Rising tourism levels are not only due to new regional transport infrastructure (road and air) but a greater global awareness about what Albania has to offer in terms of beaches and scenery.
“The weakened euro has also meant that we have seen an increase in not only holiday makers but potential property buyers, both European and as far afield as the US, Canada and China, wanting to take advantage of the amazing value that can still be found on a frontline European development such as ours.”
Indeed, the rising number of foreign investors heading to Albanian shores is set to continue as more and more airlines increase their routes to Tirana, Albania’s thriving capital.
Low cost Turkish airline , Pegasus, has joined the ranks of a growing number of new carriers announced its latest route to Tirana and will launch on 2nd September 2013 operating five times a week from Istanbul´s Sabiha Gokcen airport. Travellers Guests from London can fly to Tirana via Istanbul at fares starting from just £78.65 including taxes and charges making it even cheaper to visit your bolthole in the Balkan sunshine.
For those thinking about tapping into Albania’s property market, Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa offers a premium, exclusive product to investors who want the benefits of second home ownership including private gardens,  and terraces, exclusive services and more privacy as well as a range of facilities including private swimming pools, a BBQ area, tennis courts and superb restaurants for as little as €350,000. For more information please contact Lalzit Bay on +44 845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.

Albania inches closer towards EU accession, boosting investor confidence after general elections

by Kate Albania

Last weekend saw the election of the new Prime Minister of Albania, Mr Edi Rama, leader of the Socialist Party. With almost all the votes counted after the election took place on June 23rd, his coalition took 84 out of 140 seats in parliament – a landslide with the result ending 8 years of rule by Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party.

 

The newly elected socialist party has lined up British former PM, Tony Blair, to advise the government towards the ultimate goal of EU membership for Albania. A formal contract has not been drawn up, but Iit is expected that Mr Blair will advise on boosting the European integration process, attracting investment and promoting tourism.
Hot on the heels of Albania’s general election,; neighbouring country Croatia was this week granted its long awaited European membership, offering hope for its Balkan brothers. This will no doubt also translate into rising tourist numbers and provide a boost for the Albanian property market as more and more people explore this new EU member nation and its adjacent lands.
Peter Walshe, Marketing Director of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, the 5* luxury residential development located on Albania’s Adriatic coast comments:
“The election has opened the gates for Albania to become an official candidate to join the European Union, which would come as welcome news for those wishing to invest in this beautiful country, unspoilt by stampedes of tourists and boasting stunning natural landscapes with white sandy beaches and crystal clear seas.”
Indeed the race to EU membership continues. Albania applied for candidate status in 2009 and the EU Council stated in a report which was published on December 12, 2012 that Albania could achieveget candidate status by 2015 in the event that it conformed to the advices of the European Commission.
With EU accession within reach coupled with cheap and easy access from the UK and a growing economy, Albania is fast becoming a highly desirable holiday home destination.
As Peter Walshe goes on to explain,
“Unlike its Balkan peers, Albania has avoided recession. With on-going positive GDP growth as well as growing visitor numbers thanks to a wider range of promotional and  infrastructure projects, this well-kept secret of the Adriatic coast could provide the perfect property investment opportunity for those looking for a second home in Europe but without the premium price tag. And now, new low-cost carriers are starting to fly there from more and more European cities which can only be positive.”
So for those looking to be in on the secret jewel of the Balkan, why not take a look at Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa?
This resort offers a premium, exclusive product to buyers who want the benefits of villa ownership including private gardens and terraces, exclusive services, and more privacy as well as a range of facilities including private swimming pools, a BBQ area, tennis courts and superb restaurants for as little as €30,000.
For those thinking about investing in Albania look no further than the stunning apartments and villas at Lalzit Bay Resort. For more information please contact Lalzit Bay on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com .

Already top 10 fastest growing tourism market, Albanian PM sets goal of 7 million annual visitors

by Kate Albania

Visitor numbers to the Balkan nation of Albania have seen a remarkable near double-digit increase over the past two decades. Between 1995 and 2011, the country’s tourist population increased by 864% making it one of the top ten fastest growing tourism markets in the world according the latest data from The World Bank.

• New travel packages, tours and flight routes open up in Albania 

• 864% increase in visitor numbers to Albania since 1995 (The World Bank) 

• PM Sali Berisha sets goal to attract 7 million tourists to Albanian shores

Since this former communist nation emerged from behind the Iron Curtain in 1990, the appeals of this hidden Eastern European gem have slowly been discovered with over 4 million tourists arriving in 2012.
But not yet satisfied with this impressive growth, Prime Minister Sali Berisha has set a new goal of welcoming 7 million tourists to Albanian shores stating that tourism is the most extraordinary potential of this beautiful Eastern European nation and should remain a top priority.
Peter Walshe, Marketing Director of Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa, a 5* resort with villas and apartments located on Albania’s Adriatic coast comments,
“The positive economic growth (GDP is forecast at 2% for 2013) and the efforts made towards establishing a thriving market economy here in Albania is astounding. In the last 5 years we have been on the ground here,  we have seen first-hand the increase in visitors from not just Albania’s neighbours but as far afield as Finland, Canada and even China.”
Indeed, airlines and tour operators alike are taking advantage of this steady growth in demand. Balkan Road Trip Tours for example have launched a brand new two-day Albania add-on to its existing Croatia to Greece Pass tour taking travellers to UNESCO-listed sites of natural beauty and historical points of interest such as an early-second-century Roman amphitheatre packed with ancient secrets.
In the skies, the Slovenian national airline, Adria Airways, is also extending their services to focus on emerging markets such as Albania revealing plans to open a base in the capital Tirana with an inaugural direct service to Frankfurt.
From commercial enterprises to the official, there’s no stopping the interest in Albanian tourism. The Stabilisation and Association Council (SA Council) between Albania and the European Union have stressed that a deal committed to short term visa free travel is on track which will certainly assist with EU accession efforts as well as attract further FDI.
The tourism accommodation sector is one which has seen increasing levels of FDI. High quality, western style projects such as Lalzit Bay have been welcomed by the government as they are meeting the demand for beds from both holiday makers and second property owners alike as well as creating jobs, wealth for the community and even supporting local charities such as Sue Ryder Albania.
The luxury apartments and villas at Lalzit Bay, located 45 minutes from Tirana and available from €35,000, are under construction with the first homes due for completion
in late 2013. For more information please contact Lalzit Bay on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.

Double taxation agreement between the UK and Albania set to boost property investor confidence

by Kate Albania

A first time comprehensive Double Taxation Agreement between the UK and Albania was signed in Tirana last month by Nicholas Cannon OBE, HM Ambassador to Albania and Albanian Finance Minister Ridvan Bode.

Double Taxation Agreements aim to eliminate duel taxation of income or gains arising in one territory and paid to residents of another territory. They work by dividing the tax rights each country claims by its domestic laws over the same income and gains. 

 
There are more than 2,500 bilateral Double Taxation Treaties worldwide and the UK has the largest network of treaties, covering over 100 countries. This one is the first between these two European countries and represents an important step in the developing relationship between Albania and the United Kingdom.
 
Peter Walshe, Marketing Director for Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa, Albania comments,
 
“There is vast potential for growth and profit in the Balkan nation of Albania. The flagship British investor, Vodafone, has proved that in Albania it is possible to successfully provide services to the community and growth to the shareholders. Albania is undoubtedly in its infancy for foreign investment presenting an exciting opportunity to be involved in such a country with bags of potential.
 
“Indeed tourism is playing a vital role for the Albanian economy. Accounting for around 11% of the nation´s GDP, tourism brought in 1.2 billion euros in profit in 2011 and with tourist numbers rising to more than 4 million last year it is important that Albania adheres to its long term plan to capitalise on this growing popularity.”
 
The main cash injection into the economy generated by tourism is the wages of Albanian staff therefore any opportunity for local employment is very much welcome. Leisure and tourism enterprises such as Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa located on the Adriatic coast which prides itself on employing local Albanians wherever possible, demonstrates a commitment to genuine job creation within communities and can make a real difference to the economy.
 
This potential growth and profit in Albania is also set to translate into the property market. With more and more tourists flying in each year from all over the world to bask in the Balkan sunshine, the demand for accommodation over the summer period especially increases, with frontline properties in prime coastal locations becoming highly desirable.  
 
Mr Walshe continues,
 
“Here at Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa we are offering savvy investors the opportunity to become part of a growth economy which saw a 1.6% increase in 2012 according to the Bank of Albania. Investors can purchase studios, one or two bedroom apartments or villas in a divine Adriatic location from as little as €30,000, 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 beachfront holiday resort to enjoy with family and friends or to rent out to holiday makers.” 
 
In keeping with the country’s progressive approach, the resort is also planning on offering investments in its hotel units with discounts available for multiple purchases, affording investors several opportunities to be a part of Albania’s growing tourism economy. For more information on Lalzit Bay please contact 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com. 
 

Sue Ryder Albania and Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa join forces to help fight the big ‘C’ in Albania

by Kate Albania

Whilst rich in stunning natural landscapes, culture and heritage, years of living behind the Iron Curtain has resulted in Albania being one of Europe´s least affluent countries.

The healthcare system in particular is under funded and in need of modernization. Diseases such as cancer, whilst well supported and openly discussed in western society, remain somewhat taboo and unsupported sadly resulting in only 30% of people with terminal cancer in Albania receive the pain-relieving care they need. For many the only medications available are over-the-counter drugs such as paracetamol.
But as with many aspects of life in Albania, things are changing and for the better.
Established and well regarded charity, Sue Ryder has, under their international arm– Sue Ryder Albania – been working in the Balkan nation since 1993, providing essential care to people with terminal cancer. Visiting patients at home and providing pain relieving care, many of whom will have had no previous treatment for their cancer, the doctors and nurses of Sue Ryder Albania provide end of life care at no cost to people already living in extreme hardship.  Without Sue Ryder’s support, every year hundreds of people would spend their final days in agony and distress, as Albania´s state health system currently only provides end of life care to only 12% of those who need it.
Going the extra mile, the charity’s specialist medical teams establish close relationships with the people they visit, treating each of them as a person, not just a patient. They also provide families with emotional support to ensure that each person’s final days and moments are comfortable and dignified.
Sue Ryder Albania is the national voice and leading provider of end of life care in Albania. The charity also continues to advocate for change and raise awareness as well as train key medical staff in the country. However Sue Ryder Albania is entirely dependent on donations as Government resources are focused elsewhere.
Therefore, seizing this opportunity to give back to the community, Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa in Albania is proud to support Sue Ryder Albania in 2013.
Peter Walshe, Sales & Marketing Director of Lalzit Bay comments,
“I am delighted to announce our partnership with Sue Ryder Albania. This superb charity undertakes invaluable work on the ground here in Albania with its doctors and nurses often the unsung heroes. It will be fantastic to raise the profile of the charity as well as help raise funds to support one Sue Ryder specialist nurse for a year.”
A charity ‘Britannia Ball’ will be held on Saturday 27th April 2013 at The Rognor Hotel, Tirana to help raise both awareness and funds for Sue Ryder Albania. Tickets to the ball will include a typically British three course meal and excellent entertainment for the evening. For all inquiries and for tickets please contact the ball committee

For more information or to make a regular donation please visit http://www.sueryder.org/What-we-do/International-work/Albania, call Sue Ryder’s International team on 020 75545962 or contact the Lalzit Bay team on UK +44 (0) 845 125 8600, Albania +355 (0) 69 202 5550 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.

Visa-free travel for Russians and $200,000 citizenship offer set to boost Albania in 2013

by Kate Albania

Over the past decade, Albania has been one of the fastest-growing countries in Europe enjoying impressive average annual real growth rates of 6%. In 2008 the Balkan nation graduated from IDA,  the World Bank’s concessional lending arm and now joins the ranks of the world’s upper-middle income countries deemed creditworthy for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

 

Indeed Albania is currently cooperating with several neighbouring countries (Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia and Croatia) on various issues including tourism and announcing unilateral visa-free travel for Russians as well as a draft law granting citizenship to anyone who invests $200,000 in the country.
Peter Walshe, Marketing Director for 5* Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa, Albania, comments,
“Albania is focused on growing tourism and FDI throughout the Balkan region and beyond, across its varied landscape. Whether it´s hiking, white water rafting or relaxing on the Adriatic coast at stunning locations such as Lalzit Bay, we must ensure that we cater to the needs of Albania´s growing tourism industry and make it as easy as possible for people to visit and indeed invest.”
With this in mind and taking lessons from the past, the country’s Ambassador to Russia, Sokol Gioka, introduced a 90-day visa free stay for Russians four years ago and saw a great surge in the number of Russian tourists hence the decision to repeat and extend the offering for 2013’s summer months (June to October).
And going one step further, Russian and indeed investors from other nations with $200,000 can make their visit more permanent by being granted citizenship if the Albanian government passes this draft law.
With Albania boasting Europe´s last undeveloped coastline and a Mediterranean climate, that $200,000 threshold should ensure any prospective investor a prime beachfront location.
Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa offers such a premium, exclusive beachfront product to investors who want the benefits of villa ownership including private gardens and terraces, exclusive services and more privacy as well as a range of facilities including private swimming pools, a BBQ area, tennis courts and superb restaurants. Prices range from €30,000 for a studio apartment to €200,000 for a 3 bed villa.
For more information please contact Lalzit Bay on 0845 125 8600or visit www.lalzitbay.com .

Wondering where to holiday in 2013? Why not try Top Beach Destination, Albania?

by Kate Albania

In the heart of the Mediterranean, on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania is fast becoming one of the world´s most interesting getaways. Unspoiled by globalization, tourists can experience an inspiring mixture of civilizations and cultures – making this jewel of the Balkan truly unique.

Isolated for decades under a harsh dictatorship, Albania opened up in the 1990s and has since been hot on the heels of the rest of Europe.

Indeed, statistics from the Balkan state show that the number of foreign tourists to Albania has been steadily increasing since 2007, rising from just over 1 million six years ago to around 4 million in 2011.

Albania is being touted by mainstream publications as a major future destination: the UK’s Guardian newspaper has named Albania as one of its top 2013 beach destinations. The Sunday Times also listed Albania as a place to visit in its 2013 tourism New Year supplement, exclaiming ‘the Adriatic underdog is being touted as the next Croatia among adventurous beach-seekers.’

Ravin Maharajah, Partner of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, the 5* luxury residential development located on Albania’s Adriatic coastline comments:

“In terms of what Albania has to offer, I was not surprised by these recommendations from the UK national press. We have 350km of stunning sandy beaches, great Mediterranean cuisine, thousands of years of history and UNESCO sites of natural beauty. Albania has a tremendous amount to offer tourists wanting to take advantage of the weak euro to get great value in one of the few undiscovered places left in the Mediterranean.

“Both holiday makers and property buyers alike are looking for somewhere unique and different but distinctly Mediterranean. Lalzit Bay is a remarkable European buying opportunity because it is located on a beach just 30 minutes to the international airport and Capital Tirana and when you see the pristine beach, you realise that you´re seeing something really special.”

He adds,
“With occupancy rates increasing by 7.5% in early 2012 according to the European Travel Commission, property investors should look no further than the attractive emerging markets in Europe right now. Growth in recent years confirms that Albania is well on the path towards tourism being an active generator of its economic development throughout 2013 and beyond.”

Following the steady increase of tourists to the Balkans, the Director of the National Association of Tourist Agencies in Serbia (Juta) has recently announced that it will be joining forces with Albania, along with four other countries from the region, to form a Southeast Europe tourist association in order to attract visitors from the Far East.

For those thinking about investing in Albania, look no further than the stunning apartments and villas at Lalzit Bay Resort.

Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa is a 5 star, gated beach resort community giving international property buyers a very safe way to purchase a beach front rental property or holiday home in one of Europe´s hottest tourist destinations. Brand new luxury villas and apartments on Albania’s Adriatic are available for immediate purchase from just €35,000 including all costs!

For more information please contact Lalzit Bay on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com , like the dedicated facebook page or follow @LalzitBayResort on twitter.

Albania provides excellent B2L opportunities say holiday lettings experts

by Kate Albania

Official data from the Bank of Albania has identified that tourism revenue for the Balkan nation increased by an impressive 17% reaching €1.3bn in 2011. While Albania offers unspoilt coastline and archaeological parks, property experts believe that the ‘value for money’ nation is also providing excellent opportunities for investors in the holiday lettings marketplace.

Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies, Head of Communications at Holidaylettings.co.uk, the busiest holiday home rental website in the UK commented on the potential of the emerging Balkan land, saying,

“Albania is a new territory in 2012 for the holiday lettings marketplace. The destinations showing promise are the seaside spots of Vlore and Durres. Vlore benefits from the combination of offering a city break holiday with stunning coastline – not dissimilar to a holiday experience offered by Barcelona. There are some beautiful beaches and great nightlife alongside UNESCO sites.

“Typical holiday apartment prices range from £285-£490 per week during peak season, which is fantastic value for money for travellers. BA’s commitment to the country with up to 5 flights a week into Tirana suggests this is a promising area for both savvy travellers and investors to explore something as yet untapped by the masses.”

Indeed, Albania offers some of the lowest prices and taxes across Europe and along with robust economic growth, offers plenty of opportunity for buy to let investors.

Ravin Maharajah, Partner of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, the 5* luxury residential development located on Albania’s hotly tipped Adriatic coastline comments,

“Rising tourism levels founded on new regional transport infrastructure (road and air) continue to increase the demand for accommodation. This is generating considerable potential for buy to let investors in Albania and with the nation receiving 4 million visitors last year there is huge potential to grab a slice of the action.

“Indeed, we expect that there will be strong rental demand in Lalzit Bay based on the exclusivity of the resort, the facilities on offer and the quality of the finished properties. We have estimated that a 2 bed apartment costing €70,000 will generate rents of €500 per week over the peak summer months at 75% occupancy giving an annual gross rental income of €6,000 – that’s an overall rental yield of 8.57%. Pretty good considering we know there’s a decent rental market for off-peak months too but we’ve been quite conservative here. ”

Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa offers a premium, exclusive product to investors who want the benefits of villa ownership including private gardens and terraces, exclusive services and more privacy as well as a range of facilities including private swimming pools, a BBQ area, tennis courts and superb restaurants for as little as €30,000.

For those thinking about investing in a rental property in one of the best performing growth markets in South Eastern Europe, look no further than the stunning apartments and villas at Lalzit Bay Resort.

For more information please contact Lalzit Bay on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.