International Property News

published 22 February 2006

Sport Spurs on Investors 1.29 billion people live in China which equates to 22% of the worlds population, and with the Olympic Games just around the corner the country is becoming the big talking point amongst property investors. American and British investors are attracted by the large ex-pat communities teamed with huge financial investment ahead of the Olympic Games, in Beijing 2008. Their state of the art transportation system includes Lord Foster?s new airport terminal, part of £23 billion invested in the country ready for the Games. Similar investment has been mirrored in Valencia, which is hosting the 2007 Americas Cup. The region has seen property values increase by 27% over the last 12 months, the national average being 16.6%, and the city has risen to the second most popular place for Britons living in Spain. For more information, please see www.spanishpropertyinsight.com, www.britcham.org, www.shaghaivision.com. Ryanair Announces New Routes Ryanair has announced new routes from London Stansted to Balaton in Hungary, Lamezia, Palma and Vitoria, and London Luton to Brest. Their routes from Dublin are also to extend to Marseille, Nantes and La Rochelle, Milan and Venice, as well as Gothenburg, Malmo and Valencia. Britons invest £23bn on Second Homes Abroad With an increase of 45% in the last 4 years, the number of Britons owning their own property abroad is now in excess of 257,000, owning £23bn worth of property, according to The Daily Telegraph. The Office for National Statistics has found that more than 1 million families in Britain own a second home, 72% of which are in England, 5% in Wales and Scotland and the remainder overseas. 154,000 US properties are owned by British buyers, and Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa have all seen increased purchases in recent years. Britons Flock to Bulgaria Bulgaria is becoming increasingly popular with the British property investor. A new Global Property Hot Spots report has claimed that up to 77% more people are now buying a property in Bulgaria. France and Spain still remain favourites but seem expensive options in comparison to countries such as Bulgaria, which appeal to the buy-to-let property investor. According to a spokesperson at HIFX, an independent foreign currency exchange brokerage in the UK: ?Bulgaria is booming and the Black Sea resorts are reminiscent of Spain 20 years ago; investors are buying in their droves and there is similar activity in some of the ski resorts.? Catch this: Spring 2006 Corsica Saint Lucie De Tallano 25-26 March Festa di l?Oliu Novu New Olive Oil is celebrated during this two day market www.sainteluciedetallano.com Paris 12 March Semi-Marathon de Rambouillet Feeling fit? Sign up for the half marathon or enjoy the programme of roadside events. Tel:1 34 57 34 89 Verona Veneto 17-19th March Salus X salone della culture e dell econimia del benessere Seek out the new health spas or organic treatments, something for everyone. www.veronafiere.it Midi-Pyrenees Marciac 24-25 March Jazz in Marciac et la Nouvelle Orleans Jazz in Marniac has incorporated a New Orleans weekend into its season, in the wake of hurricane Katrina. Enjoy two evenings of French and Spanish Jazz. www.jazzinmarciac.com New York USA 4-21st March The New York City Opera Spring Season Premiering Mark Adamo?s Lysistrata www.nycopera.com 26-31st March Cuneo Piedmont The third Alpine Skiing world championship. www.albain.com/sport 3rd -9th April Augusta, Georgia 70th Annual Masters Golf Tournament Down South in the USA www.masters.org

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