December 19th, 2008
Category: Generic
Iberia Airlines has announced that it will be offering extra flights between Spain and the US.
The carrier already flies between Madrid and Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York and Washington DC.
However, overseas investors and tourists from the US now have easier access to the country due to extra flights to Albuquerque, Buffalo, Baltimore, Charlotte, Milwaukee and Oklahoma City.
Iberia Airlines now operates out of 48 cities across the US directly from Madrid.
There are 11 flights weekly from New York to Madrid and daily flights between Madrid, Chicago and Miami.
This could be good news for overseas property investors with rental accommodation in Spain as holidaymakers will have easier access to the Iberian nation from the US.
A recent survey revealed that Spain is the most desirable destination for property buyers from the UK.
According to Globaledge, Spanish property-related searches on Google were more popular than searches for any other nation.
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December 19th, 2008
Category: Mexico
Travel lodging firm Rentalo.com has stated that Mexico offers holidaymakers the chance to enjoy a variety of activities and attractions.
It noted that leisure travellers and potential expats can enjoy white beaches and “exciting Mayan ruins” while on their trip.
Rentalo said the “endless stretch of coastline” enables visitors to enjoy a range of water sports, such as fishing, snorkelling and surfing.
“Apart from dreamy sundrenched beaches, Mexico also draws thousands of history fans who visit this country to discover its early civilisations and numerous archaeological sites,” it added.
This could be welcome news for those with rental accommodation in the central American nation.
With a wealth of tourist attractions, there might be a high demand for homes with short-term leases.
Airline Mexicana has just opened up routes to Sao Paulo in Brazi, which will operate five times each week.
It will soon be offering flights between Gatwick and Mexico City, which could benefit those with holiday homes in Mexico.

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December 19th, 2008
Category: Generic, Lifestyle
Spain is one of the easiest countries to relocate to, according to a recent study.
The HSBC Expat Experience report found that Germany, Canada and Spain were the nations which expats found it easiest to integrate themselves into.
Martin Spurling, chief executive officer for HSBC, said: “We commissioned this independent survey to take a look into the lives and experiences of our customers who live across the globe and the transitional challenges they encounter from country to country.”
This could be encouraging news for overseas property buyers who are considering expatriating to Spain.
HSBC also concluded that Spain is one of the best countries in which to raise children.
In addition to being among the cheapest nations, 59 per cent of parents said they children spent more time outside, while 94 per cent of expat children in Spain speak two or more languages.
Alliance & Leicester research recently revealed that expats in Spain get an average of eight visits from family and friends each year.
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December 19th, 2008
Category: Mexico
AeroMexico is adding new flights between the US cities and its transport hubs in Mexico.
The carrier is increasing operations between Toronto, Canada, San Francisco and Denver, offering services to 40 destinations throughout Mexico.
Overseas property investors with rental accommodation in popular tourist regions, such as Playa del Carmen and the Yucatan Peninsula, could experience a greater demand for short-term leases from American holidaymakers.
Frank Galan, vice president of the US division of AeroMexico, said: “We are expanding our North American operations to capitalise on growth opportunities that have arisen due to shifts in service by other carriers and increased market demand.”
The airline will start running the extra flights in February 2009, the first of which is between Toronto and Mexico City.
Volaris is one of the largest airlines in Mexico and it has carried more than 3.5 million passengers in 2008, servicing 23 cities in the country
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December 19th, 2008
Category: Mexico
Mexico’s Playa del Carmen will host the second annual BPM Festival between January 2nd and 11th 2009.
The ten-day event takes place on the Mayan Riviera in Mexico’s top destination for eco-tourism and beach holidays.
Playa del Carmen is set to receive a boost to tourism in its off-peak season, with clubbers travelling to the region to watch MANDY, Sandy Kleinenberg and Steve Lawler all set to perform.
The region features miles of white sand beaches, which are complemented by crystal clear waters and a wide variety of entertainment.
Overseas property investors could rent out their homes to tourists looking to take advantage of the adventure holidays and popular eco-tourist activities in the region.
They might also find rental accommodation is in demand from those looking to enjoy the dining, dancing, beach parties, hotels and nightclubs in the area.
Mexican tourism officials said they registered 13 million visitors in the ten months leading up to November 2008, an increase of five per cent on the same period last year.

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December 19th, 2008
Category: Generic
The location of property is crucial when considering a buy-to-let purchase, experts have suggested.
David Bates, business development manager at dandara, said buyers should research an area before they acquire a property with the intention of renting it out.
He noted that transport links and proximity to amenities such as universities and schools should be an important consideration.
In a seminar at Birmingham’s NEC, Mr Bates said: "Location is everything. People keep buying properties below market value and there are some great deals but you’ve still got to do your homework on where you buy."
People considering a purchase in Spain should look into whether or not the area meets these criteria and how close the house is to a major airport.
A region with a strong tourist trade, such as the Costa del Sol, could provide a steady demand for rental accommodation from leisure travellers.
Nigel Salmon, managing director of Girasol Homes, recently described Spain as an "Aladdin’s cave" for property investors.

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December 19th, 2008
Category: Generic
UK chancellor Alistair Darling’s change to the air passenger rate could provide a tourism boost for short-haul destinations such as Spain, it has been claimed.
Flying to Europe in two years time could cost £12, compared with the £85 duty charge for passengers heading to destinations such as Singapore or Australia, reports Fly-2Let.
This news may mean that overseas property investors find Spain a more attractive country to invest in real estate as there is cheaper, easier access to their purchases.
Victor Sague, sales and marketing director for Taylor Woodrow de Espana, said: “Despite the continued competition from newer emerging markets such as the Far East, Spain has and continues to be one of the most popular choices for those looking to buy abroad.”
He added that Spain is a “tried and tested location” and has an established reputation when it comes to property investment.
Shelter Offshore recently said that the falling price of property in Spain could be “fantastic” for UK investors and those looking to expatriate to the Mediterranean country.

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December 19th, 2008
Category: Costa Blanca

Alicante will be the scene of a three-week carnival in January and February 2009.
Overseas property investors with rental accommodation might find an increased demand for homes in this period as holidaymakers appear in the region to take part in the colourful event.
The highlight of the festival is the Sabado Ramblero on February 2nd, during which time the main thoroughfares of the town are filled with a costume parade, dancing and music.
Don Carnaval and Dona Cuaresma plays open the event in the Mediterranean coastal town.

It closes with a ritual called the Funeral Wake and Burial of the Sardine, when masks and make-up are buried until the next year and everyone wears black and carries a candle as a sign of mourning.
In the week before Lent, Malaga hosts a carnival featuring street bands, comparsas, quartets and choruses.
The run-up to the carnival sees local people organise lunches with soups and cabbage as a precursor to the festivities.

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December 19th, 2008
Category: Costa del Sol, Generic
Spain’s Costa del Sol could be an attractive destination for leisure travellers during the winter, it has been claimed.

The region offers “almost guaranteed sunshine” and a variety of activities for the whole family, reports TravelBite.co.uk.
This may be encouraging news for overseas property investors as UK holidaymakers could continue to visit the area and demand rental accommodation throughout the off-peak season.
Chris O’Toole of TravelBite.co.uk said: “Southern Spain is a truly magical place to be at Christmas and the new year.”
He noted that the area offers English-language pantomimes and Hollywood blockbusters, so families deciding to expatriate could still enjoy the classic seasonal pastimes they partook in while in the UK.
In addition, the region boasts facilities for playing golf, tennis, quad-biking and canyoning.
KPMG Golf Advisory Practice recently conducted a report, which predicted that Spain will be a top golf tourist nation in the next few years.

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December 18th, 2008
Category: Generic
Thousands of sun-seekers will have easier access to popular Spanish holiday destinations with the introduction of new flights between the country and Glasgow Airport.
Leisure travellers and overseas property investors will be able to travel to the Costas from the Scottish transport hub.
Sunways Holidays will run routes between Glasgow Airport and the Costa Blanca, the Algarve and Costa Brava.
The move came soon after the collapse of Seguro Holidays and XL Airways.
Amanda McMillan, the airport’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sunways Holidays to Scotland and we wish them every success with their 2009 programme.”
She added that this was “further good news” for the airport and proves that it is still possible to attract new business in the current economic climate.
According to an Adfero street poll, only one in five Britons think the recession will have an impact on their holiday plans in 2009.
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