According to Walks Worldwide, a leading UK trekking holiday organisation, Albania is set to become one of the most popular walking destinations this year after the company saw extraordinary demand for its Accursed Mountains trek to Albania last year combined with the high levels of advanced bookings already received for the programme.

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

“As one of the least explored countries in Europe, Albania is a place like no other, one which has yet to become popularised by the masses and one where those looking for adventure, history and scenic beauty are likely to flock. Indeed, the Accursed Mountains in Albania offer and unspoilt landscape in a remote area perfect for those who not only love the great outdoors but are in search of something different”.

Indeed, Walks Worldwide believe that Albania will top the charts this year for walkers and adventure lovers and have since created a new trip for September 2012  which will explore the ‘Mysterious South of Albania’.

But it’s not just trekkers that will want to investigate the wonders of the Balkan land. Following double digit growth in traveler numbers last year and thanks to travel guide Frommer´s voting the Albanian Riviera as the Top Value Destination for 2012, an increasing number of holiday makers will be setting their sights on Albania this year.

Meanwhile, helping to increase future tourist numbers, Albania’s Mother Teresa International Airport plans to build a new passenger terminal over the next two years with the airport announcing that the new terminal is expected to cost around €7 million.

Maharajah further comments,

“Last year was a great year for the airport and tourism into Albania. The airport saw an 18% increase in passengers which equates to an impressive 1.8 million passengers. Indeed, with the expansion of the airport and range of tour options for adventure buffs to explore the country not to mention GDP growth above that of the Eurozone, Albania is not only beginning to get the attention it so rightly deserves but is creating a favorable climate for holiday makers, foreign and domestic business and those on the lookout for property.”

With this in mind, the 5* Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa can provide the perfect property investment opportunity for as little as €38,000 for a luxury apartment on a beach-front resort.

This stunning property development, voted ‘Project of the Year’ at the 2011 RealEx conference in Tirana for its high quality infrastructure and strong commitment to the environment will provide outstanding on-site facilities including a beach club, BBQ area, tennis courts and restaurants.

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

According to the budget bill passed by the Albanian parliament recently, Albania is predicted to see its budget deficit drop to 3% of GDP next year with economic growth reaching highs of around 4.3% despite the debt crisis and economic turmoil raging through the globe. 

To coincide with this positive news, Albania’s House Price Index rose 10.3% year on year in the third quarter of 2011, according to data from Albania’s Central Bank while the Rental Price Index recorded a slight increase of 1.1% on the year in Q3 2011. 

Ravin Maharajah, partner of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, a five star luxury residential development located on Albania’s Adriatic coastline comments,

“With growth in the Balkan region predicted to be around four times higher than the 0.5% growth the EU is expected to post next year, those wishing to invest in property will be making a sensible choice if they look in Albania’s direction. Indeed, demand for property in Albania this year has been on the up and in light of 2012 predictions will no doubt continue as property hunters search for alternative options.

“For example, the international market is starting to wake up to Albania’s potential as a beach holiday destination which has generated excellent demand during the pre-sales stages of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa and in turn, we are expecting remaining villas and apartments in blocks C and D to continue to sell well within the next few months.”

With this in mind, the team at the 5* Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa are pleased to finally announce the construction of the resort which will commence on the 4th January 2012 with delivery firmly on schedule for 2013.

Ravin Maharajah explains,

“We are excited to be starting work next year on our award winning development and will be making some very exciting announcements in Q1 2012 regarding the facilities that will be on offer at “The Adriatic Club”, Lalzit Bay’s exclusive members club.

“Additionally, we’ve kept prices at the same rate for all of 2011, however, as with most construction projects like Lalzit Bay Resort, prices will be rising to reflect the changing status of the project so if you are considering buying then you are urged to act quickly to secure the best deal.”

Providing the perfect property investment opportunity for as little as €38,000 for a luxury apartment on a beach-front resort this stunning property development, recently voted ‘Project of the Year’ at the 2011 RealEx conference in Tirana recently for its high quality infrastructure and strong commitment to the environment will provide outstanding on-site facilities including a beach club, tennis courts, restaurants and water-sport activities.

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

Since being voted top destination for 2012 by renowned travel guide Frommers, Albania is set to see another year of increasing tourism. This comes as good news for the Albanian government who are eager to see how their investments in infrastructure and tourism will attract more foreign visitors, and boost investment, GDP and employment prospects within Albania.

Over the last few years, the Albanian government has raised spending on infrastructure investments and is fast developing an efficient road network throughout Albania. Aldo Bumci, minister of tourism and culture cites that further investment across the country had helped to lift visitor numbers by 20% last year.

Albania’s improving road network is also enabling other neighbouring countries to improve their roads.

Earlier this month, the first 38km stretch of motorway linking Albania’s border directly to Kosovo’s capital Pristina was delivered ahead of schedule and within budget. The opening ceremony was attended by the Prime Ministers of Albania and Kosovo, alongside US representatives Eliot Engel and Gary Peters who celebrated Albania and Kosovo’s further integration into Europe.

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

“Interest from international tourists and property investors is starting to develop quickly. This is a great sign and we encourage people to visit Albania in 2012.

“Albania has new roads, a new airport, a stunning coastline and great weather similar to Greece and Italy. It won’t be long until we see more and more people visit and purchasing holiday properties in this beautiful country.”

It was recently announced that a new €53 million loan from the EBRD has been agreed for the construction of two bypass roads in the south of the Albania, and the World Bank estimates that the Western Balkan economies will grow on average 2.1% in 2012, four times the pace of the European Union.

With tourist numbers set to soar next year in light of the high acclaim Albania has received, purchasing property here to soak up the country´s unspoilt coast, mountain ranges, historical offerings and rock bottom prices will provide a sensible option for property hunters.

The 5* Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa can provide the perfect property investment opportunity for as little as €38,000 for a luxury apartment on a beach-front resort. Construction on Lalzit Bay Resort begins on January 4th 2012 and is due to open in 2013.

This stunning property development, recently voted ‘Project of the Year’ at the 2011 RealEx conference in Tirana recently for its high quality infrastructure and strong commitment to the environment will provide outstanding on-site facilities including a beach club, tennis courts, restaurants and water-sport activities.

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

Travel guide Frommer´s has declared the Albanian Riviera as the Top Value Destination for 2012 according to its editors, authors, and experts from around the world.

Unveiling their list of top travel destinations for next year, the experts at Frommer’s also polled readers to find out where they wanted to visit in 2012 with the beautiful Albanian Riviera emerging as a winner.

The list which included something for everyone, from large cities, to quiet beach towns and riverside homes highlighted Albania as having all the natural attractions of its Croatian counterpart in the north but without the large crowds and high prices.

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

“Albania’s coastline is quite simply its greatest asset with 295km of Adriatic coastline that runs from Montenegro down to Greece.

“Albania is full of gleaming white beaches, easily among the most beautiful in Europe. Within it lies a rich history and a land of legends and ancient civilizations. It is a nation where travellers will enjoy authentic traditions and cuisines, as well as a friendly welcome.”

With a 200% increase in tourists visiting the Balkan nation between January and August this year compared to numbers in 2008 as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicting strong economic growth of 3.5% in Albania for 2012, the country is not only beginning to get the attention it so rightly deserves but is creating a favourable climate for foreign and domestic business as well as those on the lookout for property.

With this in mind, the 5* Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa can provide the perfect property investment opportunity for as little as €38,000 for a luxury apartment on a beach-front resort.

This stunning property development, recently voted ‘Project of the Year’ at the 2011 RealEx conference in Tirana recently for its high quality infrastructure and strong commitment to the environment will provide outstanding on-site facilities including a beach club, BBQ area, tennis courts and restaurants.

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

A recent report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated that Albania’s GDP growth for 2011 will be around 2.5%, reaching 3.5% next year.

Although the growth forecast for this year is lower than the registered 3% GDP growth seen in 2009 and 2010, the Albanian government is predicting a more positive scenario; putting GDP growth in Albania at around 4.5% signaling excellent news for investors in the Balkan nation.

In its report, the IMF stated that it expected the strong performance of the leading emerging nations to be the main driving force behind growth in the world economy, highlighting that emerging countries such as Albania coped well with the global crisis after implementing strong policies in the country before the economic downturn took place. 

In addition, the findings also indicate that Albania is one of the best performing Balkan nations this year with Bosnia and Herzegovina only experiencing a 2.2% GDP increase followed by Montenegro at 2.0%. Croatia is expected to expand the least this year with only 0.8% GDP growth.

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

“Albania has much to offer investors. Indeed with the IMF suggesting that the Eurozone and the US could fall back into recession, expecting the United States to grow by only 1.8% in 2012 and the Eurozone by 1.1% next year, it would appear that Albania will lead the way in faster economic growth in the coming years. The report even predicts Western European nations such as France to fall behind Albania’s growth, with a mere 1.7% GDP growth in 2011 and only 1.4% for 2012.

“As a testament to Albania’s potential, our customer base continues to grow as the benefits of buying a beach property in Lalzit Bay Resort outweigh the macro-economic issues affecting the Eurozone. We’ve sold many units in the last few months and have released more to meet demand”.

With interest rapidly growing and the expectation of increased GDP growth as well as high visitor numbers in coming years thanks to a wider range of infrastructure projects, 5* Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa can provide the perfect property investment opportunity for as little as €38,000 for a luxury apartment on a beach-front resort.

This stunning property development, recently voted ‘Project of the Year’ at the 2011 RealEx conference in Tirana recently for its high quality infrastructure and strong commitment to the environment will provide outstanding on-site facilities including a beach club, BBQ area, tennis courts and restaurants.

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

A little-known motorway project in the Western Balkans interior is about to have a significant impact on the development of Albania’s coastline.

Representing the region’s largest infrastructure project in recent years, South Eastern Europe is set to see huge economic benefits now the first section of the 120km Morine to Merdare motorway connecting central Kosovo with Albania and the Adriatic coast is almost ready to open.

The estimated €1 billion infrastructural development in Kosovo will be of strategic importance, running from Morine on the Albania border to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. The four lane motorway extension will now connect Durres-Kukes motorway with Prizren and Pristhtina.

Indeed, while the new motorway will undoubtedly help boost the Kosovan economy by creating an estimated 3,000 jobs, neighbouring Balkan nation Albania, reached by many tourists through Kosovo or Macedonia will also reap the positive effects with travel to tourist destinations such as Lalzit Bay and the Adriatic Sea made much easier.

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

“The economic benefits of this new motorway extension will be felt relatively quickly across the Balkans and especially Kosovo and Albania.” 

“The reduction in travel times with the existing motorway to Kukes in Albania already makes a significant difference to visitor numbers into Albania from Kosovo. There’s been a 16% increase in tourist numbers into the country in the first eight months of this year as a result of improved infrastructure generated from the $400m Tirana-Elbasan highway project and increased frequency of flights most recently between London and Tirana.”

“Certainly, we feel that infrastructural developments such as these have played a crucial part in creating the incredible level of interest we have seen at Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa.  The first two blocks which we are about to start building are already almost sold out which is an incredible achievement. With this in mind, we are extremely excited to see the valuable outcomes for both Albania and Lalzit Bay once the Morine to Merdare highway is completed.”

With interest rapidly growing and the expectation of high visitor numbers in coming years thanks to a wider range of infrastructure projects, 5* Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa can provide the perfect property investment opportunity for as little as €38,000 for a luxury apartment in a beach-front resort.

The stunning property development, recently voted ‘Project of the Year’ at the 2011 RealEx conference in Tirana recently for its high quality infrastructure and strong commitment to the environment will provide outstanding on-site facilities including a beach club, BBQ area, tennis courts and restaurants.

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

In the first eight months of this year, the Balkan nation of Albania received 3 million visitors according to figures released by the Albanian Minister of Tourism, Aldo Bumci recently.

Albania welcomed 300,000 more visitors than the same period last year, seeing a 16% increase in numbers as a result of improved infrastructure and quality of service according to the Minister of Tourism.

In recent years, Albania has experienced improved political stability and vast economic advances. There is considerable investment in infrastructure with the development of new roads, ports and airports which has led to increasing interest from foreigners by way of tourism and property investment.

Further figures indicate that 2.1 million out of the 3 million visitors were foreign citizens; while 870,000 were Albanians residing abroad.

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

“Albania is no longer a country hiding in the shadows thanks to an ever improving infrastructure and real GDP growth. Construction projects such as the $400m Tirana-Elbasan highway and increased frequency of flights most recently between London and Tirana have made huge contributions to rising tourist numbers. As well as this, the country has been experiencing high levels of positive publicity with the likes of legendary business magnet Donald Trump speaking of the rapidly growing Albanian property market at the RealEX conference recently and the famous American Albanian celebrity Eliza Dushku filming a documentary that will promote tourism and culture within the Balkan nation.

Maharajah continues, 

“In addition, Albania has become a distinctive emerging market and has been attracting firm interest from foreign investors with foreign direct investment (FDI) in Albania exceeding the $1 billion mark last year according to the UNDP Resident Coordinator. At Lalzit Bay we have seen an incredible level of interest with at least 70% of units released having already been sold.”

The introduction of luxury property developments such as the 5* Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa can provide the perfect investment opportunity to meet the growing demand for property for as little as €29,000 for a gorgeous studio apartment. The resort, recently voted ‘project of the year’ at the 2011 RealEx conference in Tiriana recently for its high quality infrastructure and strong commitment to the environment will provide outstanding on-site facilities including a beach club, BBQ area, tennis courts and restaurants.

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

At this year’s stylish awards ceremony for the RealEX International Real Estate and Construction Conference in Tirana, Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa was aptly named “Project of the Year 2011” much to the delight of the Albanian 5* resort.

On receiving the award, Ravin Maharajah, Partner at Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa commented,

“We are thrilled to be honoured in this way. We’ve spent a long time developing the final master plan with our global design studio resort planners Woods Bagot and we are delighted with the results.”

Maharajah continues: “We are keen to attract both local and international buyers, and to this extent, sustainability and environmental awareness are key factors in delivering what our customers want to buy. It’s also crucial that we help lead the way in developing a sustainable Albanian tourist economy which is now starting to grow quickly.”

The judges analysed the entries across a set of criteria including project design, sustainability, location and on-site services.

With this in mind, it is hardly surprising that the Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa project took centre stage with its high quality infrastructure and strong commitment to the environment using natural, recyclable materials in its construction as well as using timbers and local stone across the resort to ensure the design perspective is consistent with a beach resort. On a social level, Lalzit Bay also uses locally sourced materials that contribute to the local economies.

The awards were part of Albania’s 2nd RealEX conference held in the Palace of Congress in Tirana, Albania attended by Prime Minister Sali Berisha as well as construction and real estate professionals from across the globe. Impressively, the highlight of the evening saw American business magnet Donald Trump appear on a live video feed conducting a Q&A session on the real estate industry.

During the course of the 3-day conference, Lalzit Bay Resort unveiled their new 1:1000 scale model of the entire resort master-plan and will be presenting their grand design ideas in numerous countries in the coming months.

Indeed, while construction is in the final planning and scheduling stages, sales have been developing very quickly seeing rapidly growing interest in both Lalzit Bay and Albania with around 60% of pre-sale apartments released to the market having already been purchased.

For more information on the Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa project please call 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.
 

It is no secret that Albanians have maintained a deep love affair with the United States dating back to when President Woodrow Wilson, after World War I, stood up to the triumphant nations of Europe and asserted that Albania was a true nation and that its borders had to be protected and conserved. Since that day, Albanians have been the first to sing the praises of the American nation with millions making it their home.

Prior to World War I, Albanians migrated to the USA because of poor economic circumstances, political anxieties, or to flee military recruitment into the Turkish army with the hope of discovering greater opportunities and democratic freedom.  After World War II, Enver Hoxha and the Communists took the Balkan land over, sealing the country off from the rest of the world and when he died in 1985 along with the Communist regime, Albanians looked to the United States for guidance. This historical adoration for the USA was certainly highlighted when George Bush visited Albania back in 2007 and was greeted by deafening cheers and waving American flags, somewhat different to the icy reception and protests witnessed in other European countries with the tiny Albanian village in Fushe Kruge unveiling a statue of him, in a square named in his honour earlier this year.

Interestingly, when it comes to living in the United States, Albanians are the most recent group of Europeans to immigrate, settling across the country in places like Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois and New York. Indeed, Albanians have become one of the most successful groups of immigrants, working and indeed owning all kinds of businesses including real estate, restaurants and construction companies as well as providing some talented actors including James Belushi and Eliza Dushku, supermodel Emina Cunmulaj and astronaut William G. Gregory as well as politicians and sporting stars to name a few.

Another famous face that has warmed to the charms of Albania saw America’s most famous property tycoon Donald Trump give a warm address via video link to construction and real estate professionals at a gala dinner at last week’s RealEX Awards in Albania, displaying a sincere interest in the Balkan nation without ruling out the potential opening of a future Trump Tower in Tirana.

As a way of continuing Albania’s and America’s relationship, Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa will be launching their US marketing programme this month with sponsorship of the first US – Albania Investment Forum.

Ravin Maharajah, partner in Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa, the 5* luxury residential development located on Albania’s Adriatic coastline comments,

“The first US-Albanian investment forum this month is a perfect way for Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa to build awareness of our product in the US, which we hope will prove very successful given the solid bond between the two countries and its people.”

The event organised by The Consul General of the Republic of Albania in New York and Developing Marketing Associates Ltd (DMA) will be launching the first US-Albania Investment Forum taking place on Monday 19th September 2011, at the 3 West Club in New York City. The event will provide a broad picture of the current economic climate and growing foreign investment in Albania as well as highlighting the vast investment opportunities within the country with representatives from multilaterals, ministries, the Bank of Albania, the private sector and business associations.

If you are an investor, Albanian expatriate, or agent in the USA and are interested in meeting with the Lalzit Bay team during our time in New York, please contact Peter Walshe on +44 208 734 3962 or through the website http://www.lalzitbay.com/contact-us.