Ever since adventurous travellers started visiting the elusive Albania in the 1990s, tales have been told in ‘keep it to yourself’ whispers of azure coastlines, delicious cuisine, incredible heritage sites, affordable adventures and the possibility of unplanned journeys off the beaten track complete with welcoming locals. But Albania won’t be a secret for much longer.Indeed, with tourist arrivals are up 13% in H1 2013 (in comparison to the same period last year) according to Albania´s Ministry of Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Youth and Sports. Coupled with Alitalia’s low cost airline commencing flights in January 2014 from several cities across Italy, it could be that the secret is already out!Peter Walshe, Marketing and Sales Director of Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa, the luxury 5* beach resort nestled on Albania´s Adriatic coast, offers five top reasons why property investors buyers in particular should look eEast to Albania in 2014:

1.EU candidacy expected – The newly appointed Prime Minister Edi Rama has pledged that Albania´s future lies firmly in the European Union and is confident in the nation’s capacity and commitment to fulfil accession criteria. With candidacy and subsequent membership comes increasing investment, which will undoubtedly mean property prices will rise, so now is the time to beat the Euro and buy!

Keen to bolster Albania’s European links, Edi Rama recently paid a visit to 10 Downing Street where he met with British Prime Minister David Cameron and discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, which were considered excellent, as well as economic and trade cooperation. Prime Minister Cameron stressed that the UK government supports Albania´s European integration.

In addition to potentially becoming a part of the EU and after celebrating 100 years of independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, Albania finished its NATO integration phase last month with officials reporting that the country now is more capable of expanding its responsibilities in the alliance.

2.Growing Economy – Over the last decade, foreign direct investment in Albania’s infrastructure has played an important role in fostering the economic development of the Balkan nation. The massive overhaul and upgrading of transportation and communications has already boosted confidence amongst investors looking to Albania in 2014.

According to a report by the World Bank  the Albanian economy will recover in the coming years with a projected growth rate of 1.3 per cent in 2014, seemingly coping well with the global economic downturn, which is due in no small part to Albania implementing strong policies before the Eurozone crisis took hold.

3.Exotic Europe – Cox & Kings, the world’s most enduring luxury travel brand, has recommended Albania in their ‘Exotic Europe’ category. Indeed, the tiny Balkan nation offers travellers a wealth of character that is historic and yet modern and ready to be discovered. Beautifully preserved medieval towns and castles stand side-by-side with effervescent, cosmopolitan cities. With a mix of street cafes and seaside towns, the region is a comfortable combination of the familiar West Europe and the Mediterranean.

Albania is the perfect stepping stone for travellers to explore central Europe, with cheap airlines offering increased flights from all over Europe, making it easier than ever to visit!  With Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia and Kosovo to the North, Macedonia to the East and Greece lying to the South, your options are endless.

Specialist tour operator for discerning travellers, Kirker Holidays has also launched their latest range of tours encompassing life-enriching itineraries across the world. The 2014 programme features 14 new tours including Albania as the fascinating focus of one 11-night tour that includes visits to the capital, Tirana, the Old Town of Gjirokäster (UNESCO site) and the well-preserved 7th century archaeological site of Butrint, as well as scenic and historic sightseeing in neighbouring Greece and Macedonia.

4.Buyer incentives – Genuine incentives get to the heart of what’s on a potential buyer’s mind – what value are they getting for their hard earned cash?

The location, the quality of properties and facilities on offer at Albanian resorts such as Lalzit Bay will always be the main selling points but value-added extras show potential buyers we are thinking about their needs, that developers want their custom, and are willing to go the extra mile to win it in 2014.

For property purchasers in 2014, the 5* resort is set to give away a free Fiat Punto or Skoda Octavia to buyers of deluxe apartments or two bed villa apartments and for investors, a very healthy 6% guaranteed rental income for the first two years of ownership is also on offer.

5.Finance is available – Contrary to popular opinion, mortgage finance is available in Albania. There are now 17 different banks in Albania, all of which are foreign owned, enabling buyers to obtain mortgages , onwith relatively good terms and in either Euro or Lek. Indeed Aas the Albania’sn property market develops, mortgage availabilitys are is expected to continue to improve over the coming years.

Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa ,by way of  example, offers mortgage finance at 50% of the property’s  value through international bank Fibank, operating in Tirana. Pre–approval for buyers can also be arranged during the purchase process, making it easier and quicker for investors to make their Balkan dream a reality.

With so much going for it, Albania should be a serious contender for savvy investors looking to branch away from mainstream Europe and own a slice of something new and exciting.

Boasting a breath taking beachfront location on the beautiful golden sands of the prestigious and untouched Lalzit Bay and stunning views of the Dauti mountain range, Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa is perfectly positioned to capitalise on Albania’s fast rising popularity and international prominence.

The resort is being built by British developers alongside Strabag Engineering, to international standards with excellent onsite services and facilities.

A beautiful Mediterranean climate and over 200 days of sunshine a year, combined with very competitive pricing and all within 2.5hrs of most major European cities, make this a very attractive and attainable  lifestyle and investment choice for those aspiring to an affordable quality second home in the sun.

Prices on the development start from only €35,000 and guaranteed rental yields are being offered on Phase I 1 only at 6% per annum for two years. For more information please go to www.lalzitbay.com or call 0845 125 8600.

The conflict all but destroyed the region’s tourism industry but in 2009, Albania joined NATO, officially became recognised as a potential EU candidate country, and within a few years, has transformed into an increasingly popular holiday destination, bursting back onto the resort scene in 2010 with the announcement of the new luxury 5* residential development, Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, located just north of Durres.

Critics of this pioneering project pondered the reasoning behind building holiday homes in Albania during turbulent economic times across Europe, with some concerned that Albania was almost ‘too emerging’ for investors.

However these, often uneducated, objections only cemented the British development team’s belief in Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa further and spurred them on to make it a success. Now some 3 years later, the team led by Sales & Marketing Director Peter Walshe, a chartered marketer with a background in international property, is proud to announce that over 70% of the apartments and villas have now been sold off-plan to buyers from all over the world, proving the critics wrong.

Walshe comments, “Having worked in overseas property for almost a decade before being invited to join the team at Lalzit Bay, I had seen my fair share of successful and not so successful projects. I quickly learnt the fundamentals of what second home buyers and investors look for in international resort developments and applied them to Lalzit Bay, building a team of the best in the UK with the best in Albania.

“Admittedly the recession has made investors more cautious about buying second homes but I think this is true across the board in all holiday home destinations and actually we prefer our buyers to take their time and only purchase when they hold 100% belief in both Albania and Lalzit Bay. Many people said I was mad to take on this project, but here we are, 3 years later and the off-plan sales figures speak for themselves.”

So what is Lalzit Bay’s magic recipe?

Albania is indeed an emerging market but as tourism figures show it is also a holiday destination to be reckoned with; it has the winning combination of being both affordable and undiscovered.

Just 2.5 hours direct flight from the UK and numerous other European capitals, Albania boasts a wonderful year round climate and 200 days of sunshine. Besides the famously stunning beaches with every kind of water sport you could imagine, there are other attractions to be enjoyed by the whole family such as national parks, exciting mountain trails and ancient roman amphitheatres. However, what’s more important is that by the end of the day, the kids and the other members of the family have a secure and relaxing place to go back to. Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa offers just that and with 70% of all properties sold off plan already, is proving extremely popular.

The team at Lalzit Bay are working with the best to deliver what home owners want and have partnered with Woods Bagot, a world-class, award-winning British architectural practice with extensive experience designing luxury resorts that combine cutting-edge design using sustainable, environmentally friendly materials.

Above all other things, accessibility, function, design and attention to detail is what makes these frontline properties stand-out. Indeed, Gerard Mizrahi, Lalzit Bay’s main financial backer and founder, has 25 years’ experience in a wide range of asset classes and investment types and makes sure absolutely everything in the resort is thought through from dedicated parking spaces and layout of the properties through to the smallest of fittings, interior design and the optimum position to build swimming pools.

Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa offers a premium, exclusive product to buyers who want the benefits of property ownership including private gardens and terraces, exclusive services, and more privacy. They are also including additional services available to villa owners including membership of the Adriatic Club, priority access to facilities, concierge service for cleaning, home-delivery, airport pick-up and access to private beach areas.

Albania remains relatively inexpensive, at least by European standards. Everyday prices are up to 50% cheaper than neighbouring Croatia, Greece or Italy so in these times of unsettled economies, Albania is a bargain!

Living comes thrifty in this gem of the Balkan, for just over £10 you will be able to have a three course meal for two and with wine costing just under £5! Property prices are competitive too with apartments boasting direct sea views starting from just €30,000 at Lalzit Bay.

Rising tourism levels spurred by new regional road and air infrastructure continue to increase the demand for accommodation especially in coastal areas. British Airways’ commitment to the country with up to 5 flights a week from the UK into Tirana suggests this is a promising area for both savvy travellers and investors to explore. This in turn is generating considerable potential for buy to let investors in Albania and with the nation receiving a record 4.7 million visitors last year there is huge potential to grab a slice of the action.

There will no doubt 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 a rental income of €500 per week over the peak summer months at 75% occupancy giving an annual gross rental income of €6,000 – an overall healthy rental yield of 8.57%.

So if you are thinking about investing in a second home, look no further than Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa. Only moments away from the shore, the stunning resort properties are designed to be the ultimate beach properties in Albania affording private swimming pools, BBQ area, tennis courts and superb restaurants priced from just €30,000. For more information please contact Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa today on +44 845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.

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 .

• 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 

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 .

• 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.