Added 10/12/07

Fly to let - In brief

 
Egypt on course to become top golfing destination
Egypt is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing, most popular emerging golf destinations in the world which has created more Fly2let opportunities.

The World Travel and Tourism Council is predicting close to an 8 percent rise in tourism arrivals in Egypt in 2007, many of whom are drawn to Egypt’s golfing scene as part of their overall Egyptian holiday experience.

There are already around 16 international standard golf courses currently operational across Egypt - from the incredible Mena House Golf Course which directly overlooks the Pyramids, to the Cascades Golf Resort on the Red Sea which has played host to national and international tournaments - and there are more courses and golf resorts being developed at the current time, particularly along the Red Sea Riviera.

It is the general intention of the investors behind these development projects to attract PGA tour action to Egypt in the coming years, and to firmly place Egypt on the world golf tourism destination map.

According to the very latest Golf Benchmark Survey from KPMG Golf Advisory Services, locations that offer true year round course accessibility such as Egypt are overtaking the more traditional destinations and are likely to become the most popular in the near future.

33 percent of all golf tour operators surveyed for the KMPG report stated that they expect 'spectacular' growth in the golf travel market over the next 15 years and a further 56 percent committed to at least an outlook of 'steady' growth which bodes exceptionally well for emerging and popular golf destinations like Egypt.

The Golf Benchmark Survey really highlights the undeniable fact that locations such as Dubai, Turkey and now Egypt are overtaking more traditional destinations as the most rapidly advancing centres for golf based tourism.

The Red Sea Riviera has seen intensive construction work focused on golf resorts. Tahir Ali, the Managing Director of Egypt Revealed, said: “It’s Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera where the new money is headed. There have been over eight courses planned and constructed in recent years in this location and the construction of golf courses and golf based resorts is not at an end.”

Host of awards for Erna Low
Erna Low Property scooped up a record five awards, including Gold for Best Small Agency, and Gold for Best International Agency, at the Homes Overseas Awards 2007.

The other awards were Silvers for ‘Best Website’ and ‘Best In-House PR’ and another Gold for Best PR Campaign for one of their clients, Immoconcepts, who construct high end apartments and chalets in the French Alps.

The Awards crown a particularly busy year for Erna Low Property which has expanded its sales team, opened an office in Dublin and the French Alps, and considerably broadened its property portfolio.

The company now includes a wide choice of ski properties around the world from the Ukraine to the US, and luxury offerings from as far as the Seychelles and Bora Bora.

“It was a little alarming” confesses CEO Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, “but the awards just kept coming. I am absolutely thrilled. The whole team has worked extremely hard to go out there to find and bring to market the best of what is available and up and coming. Hand in hand with our sister company, Erna Low Travel, we work hard to bring a destination focus to our holdings, so our clients are likely to get the best rental potential. And always we look for quality at the right price with good capital growth and sound management.

“It is wonderful to be recognised and congratulated on our achievements amongst a host of highly respected agents, developers and press who took part and attended the Homes Overseas Awards.”

Early snowfalls raise confidence in ski property
Heavy snowfalls during November have enabled many resorts in the French Alps to open early in direct contrast to last year when many low lying Alpine resorts suffered a slow start to the season due to poor snow conditions.

Investing in a ski property in some of the lesser know resorts has become more attractive as prices are up to 50 percent less than their better known neighbours.
Gordon Roughan, of agents Maison Individuelle, said: “Despite the rise of other ski resorts in new Europe the French Alps will always retain their appeal due to ease of accessibility, good quality snowfall, modern facilities and affordable accommodation.

“The recent heavy snowfall and early opening of resorts can only further raise the confidence of those owning ski property in the future of the French Alps.”

A new service has been launched by overseas property specialists Assetz to assist buyers' search for ski properties this winter.

The organisation is offering a tailored service including assistance with financial planning, property searches, visiting properties and purchasing.

“The process of purchasing a ski property can be quite a daunting task, with several phases to go through before you can even commence your search. Just finding the right location, at the right price can prove particularly challenging, and you need to get this right,” said Martin Sadler, manager of Assetz International.”

The new service works to establish the buyers' objectives from the outset, working this into a manageable route map for them to follow.