For years Majorca has been the favourite destination for European holidaymakers, and has helped Spain to be the holiday country it is today. But with the Euro strong against the pound, British tourists have been swapping Majorca for Turkey.

Guildford, Surrey -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/22/2008 -- For years Majorca has been the jewel in the crown of Spanish tourism - successfully attracting Europeans, especially from Germany and the UK, but also further afield in recent years as Americans, Canadians, Russians and Australians have discovered for themselves that a holiday in Majorca isn't just plenty of sunshine and good beaches.

Majorca is an island that is as private or public as a tourist wants it to be, and as cosmpolitan as Magaluf or as quiet and pristine as Deia.

Late and all night parties, budget hotels and cheap flights are all on the same island as some of the best hotels in the world such as La Residencia in Deia, and on the same island that has the all night drinking as cycle trails, mountains and traditional Spanish countryside that makes Majorca special for so many tourists - it has one of the highest numbers of returning holidaymakers among the popular holiday destinations in Europe.

But it is economic circumstances rather than the appeal of the island that could see Majorca holidays be relegated from the top spot for European vacations, and see Turkey emerge as the new favourite this year.

A combination of a weak pound for British tourists visiting for Majorca holidays where the Euro is used, making a trip some ten per cent more expensive than for the same time last year, and a looming recession for the UK economy has caused both holiday makers and tour operators to look at alternatives outside the Eurozone to offer value for money family holidays this year.

And it's not just Turkey that has benefitted from the Euro's high value as British tourists look elsewhere this year - Florida has seen an upsurge while the pound was buying two dollars, and Egypt too has proved popular.

Flights To Palma

Majorca was one of the first ever holiday destinations in the world to actively market itself, and has successfully been attracting holidaymakers for over a hundred years now, so if it does slip from the number one position it won't be down to lack of experience or committment from the island's tourist authorities.

And low cost airlines from around Europe have enabled Majorca holidays to be more accessible today than ever before, allowing three day as well week and two week holidays to be taken more than once a year for those who rate Majorca as their first choice of holiday destination.

The property market on the island has benefitted too from cheap flights to Majorca according to Majorca travel guide http://www.yourmajorca.net - with low prices and a choice of departure times from regional airports, owning a villa or apartment allows rental income, but also for the owners to enjoy their property on several occasions throughout the year.

There's a diversity about Majorca that enables the island to attract high numbers of holidaymakers while at the same time drawing the upmarket tourist and celebrities who can find the peace and quiet they want in wonderful surroundings at the same time that others are enjoying a package holiday deal from one of the major tour operators along with tens of thousands of others in the towns and resorts.

Majorca has hundreds of hotel options to choose from, but probably the best for service, standards and luxury is the La Residencia, which is often quoted in the national newspapers in Europe as one of the best hotels in Majorca. Located in Deia, home village to many celebrities, the hotel offers the best of Majorca, close to both the mountains and the Mediterranean.

It's probably not a question of if Majorca will return as a favourite holidays destination for British, German and other European tourists who make up the vast majority of the island's visitors, but a question of when - and if the Euro slips in strength in the coming months the British could be booking for a holiday in Majorca for 2009.

The Majorca hotels association and tourist board will be watching the currency with more interest than usual!

For Majorca holiday details and the Majorca weather visit http://www.yourmajorca.net/weather

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Taken by surprise during the 2006/7 ski season as visitor numbers dropped for the first time in a decade, Andorra has invested heavily for the 2007/8 season. The snow arrived early this year, but Andorra has decided not to take any chances with her ski holidays again...

Guildford, Surrey, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/04/2008 -- Switzerland, Austria and Andorra were among the European ski countries last year who saw a decline in ski holiday visitors, and Andorra has been investing in her facilities to try and tempt the skiiers she lost back for the 2008 season.

In the past Andorra has grown in stature from a destination offering cheap ski holidays to one that can compete with the best that Europe has to offer, with a growing number of ski holidays being taken in the country over the last decade to the point where it was attracting some ten million tourists a year.

But unexpectedly the rise in visitors to Andorra came to a screeching halt for the 2006/7 ski season, and the ski slopes closed two weeks earlier than anticipated due to a lack of snow that saw many other resorts in Europe, especially in countries with low lying slopes like Austria, badly affected by the lack of natural snow.

The Andorra economy is unusually reliant on the ski holidays industry, the other main activity being the financial and banking industry due to her tax haven status, and the Andorra weather refused to play her part last year. Some estimates suggest takings for supermarkets, petrol stations, department stores and supermarkets were down some 40 per cent compared to 2006 in the main ski holiday areas.

The good news for the Andorra ski holiday industry as it hopes for an improved 2008 holidays season is that the snow - notably absent last year - started to fall in November, and long range weather forecasts suggest that January through to April could see enough snow to give Andorra skiiers good snow depth, and little if any need for snow cannons to make up any shortfall.

But the tourist authorities are determined not to be caught out again, and continue with the progress made in the last twenty years that has seen Andorra rise impressively from a cheap ski holiday destination to one that caters for the middle and upmarket price range with UK ski holiday specialist companies like Crystal Ski offering a full range of holidays in Andorra.

Private money as well as finance from the banks in Andorra have helped to upgrade Soldeu, a main Andorra ski holiday resort, to a high class status with new hotels and upgrades for existing ones.

Cheap Andorra Ski Holiday

In total it is estimated that nearly 200 million Euros has been invested in Andorra's on-mountain ski facilities, and the figure rises significantly when off-mountain spending is taken into account, such as the new hotels in Andorra, notably in the top ski areas of Soldeu and Arinsal.

The ski areas of Andorra have been praised by many in the industry for having the capability of producing enough man made snow to cover over 40 per cent of the ski domain, but investment has continued to further this already high amount by having for the 2008 ski holiday season over a thousand snow cannons in place - although it is hoped they don't have to be used much.

'The aim of the Andorra tourist authorities', comment local travel guide YourAndorra.com, 'is to ensure that when skiiers choose Andorra the resorts will do everything they can to make their holiday a memorable one for all the right reasons - and to see them again in future years as they decide Andorra is a good skiing holiday destination.'

The upgrading of facilities and road infrastructure has also increased interest from those looking for a European tax haven and considering taking residency in Andorra.

Andorra is one of the most sought after tax havens in Europe with no income tax for her residents, and is second in popularity only to Monaco, but enjoys the same tax benefits.

One of the big differences between the two is the cost of a property. Real estate in Monaco is among the highest in the world with a studio often costing over a million Euros, while Andorra property is considerably less with good two bedroom two bathroom apartments for sale from around 300,000 Euros.

To show the skiing fraternity that Andorra is capable of meeting their expectations for the 2008 holiday season, and importantly to meet the expectations of ski companies like Thomson ski, Andorra will have 450 ski instructors over seven different resorts, and to maintain her family friendly atmosphere four creches.

All in all, Andorra will be able to compete as one of Europe's top skiing destinations in 2008.

For holidays in Andorra visit http://www.yourandorra.com/hotels

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

European tax haven banks are attracting money at record levels despite outside pressure to open their books. But while the money flows in there's little chance of countries like Monaco and Andorra co-operating.

Guildford, Surrey -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/30/2007 -- Two of Europe's top tax havens - Monaco and Andorra - are seeing an influx of funds to their banks, despite governments worldwide actively trying to stop their citizens using tax havens to bank their money.

The financial industry in Monaco is attracting money from wealthy individuals seeking a degree of privacy, and keeping their assets away from the clutches of their governments at record levels with most of the money coming from the Middle East and Europe.

While the banks will not disclose the volume of money they have attracted recently, some industry analysts estimate it could be as much as 20 billion Euros over the last eighteen months, with 70 billion in total managed assets overall.

Over the last year and a half some of the big names in the banking and finance industries have set up offices in Monaco, including Goldman Sachs. And Monaco does not seem perturbed by outside influence unduly as the principality hopes to double the amount in her banks in the coming years.

And it's not just Monaco attracting funds - Europe's other tax haven Andorra has also seen an increase in interest, with new accounts in being established at the Andorra banks at a good pace. With tax havens attracting high volumes of funds it makes them less likely to co-operate with the OECD, who ultimately try to reign in and police money worldwide.

http://www.yourmonaco.com who specialise in European tax havens thinks that the OECD are wrong to assume that the money being deposited in Andorra and Monaco banks is by people simply wanting to keep their money offshore - it's also due to high net worth individuals taking Monaco and Andorra Residency.

'The number of people who have moved themselves as well as their money offshore has been rising over the last ten years, and in particular the number of UK ctizens moving to Andorra and Monaco has been high in the last two to three years, and their combined assets are significant. Taxes in the UK for example have been increasing, and it's no coincidence that while this has been happening so have the number of Britons moving out of the country. Rather than trying to dissuade people from doing so by painting tax havens as the villains they would get better results if they reduced direct and indirect taxes at home, negating the need to consider a tax haven in the first place.'

Evidence of the rising number of arrivals in Monaco for her tax haven status is the local property market, which is on a par with London as the most expensive property in Europe. And recent economic activity in Monaco includes the sale of one of the well known Monaco hotels - the Fairmont - showing that Monaco is able to attract investment not just from the financial services industry.

Monaco

Particularly notable among the new arrivals in Monaco in recent years has been the British, with some Monaco real estate agents suggesting that around forty per cent of their enquiries now come from the UK.

The top rate of tax in the UK has been 40 per cent for some years now, but an increase in the number of indirect taxes - or stealth taxes as they are popularly known - often means a tax take of over 50 per cent for high earners.

Apart from the rise in the number of people moving to tax havens recently, the company also points to infrastructure improvements in both Andorra and Monaco as evidence that governments who levy taxes shouldn't assume that tax havens are ghost towns for much of the year with tax exiles only making fleeting visits for events like the Monaco F1 run each May in Monaco.

Andorra has invested heavily in road improvements for her ski holiday industry and several new hotels in Andorra have appeared in recent years. Earlier this year an announcement was made by the Andorra government that they had reached agreement with Spain to build a new airport fifteen minutes from the border, which will cut travelling time significantly as the nearest airport is currently Barcelona - ironically something which might entice tax exiles away from Monaco to lower priced Andorra.

Monaco meanwhile is building an island off Monte Carlo which will include new housing for an estimated 4000 new residents, and will include new Monaco hotels and a university.

Andorra property prices start at around 250,000 Euros for a good two bedroom apartment. Current Andorra real estate for sale includes a two bedroom two bathroom 68m2 apartment in the popular village of Arinsal at 284,000 Euros. Other villages popular for residency include la Massana, Ordino and the capital la Vella.

In Monaco, prices are considerably higher with one bedroom apartments regularly changing owner at over a million Euros, with Monte Carlo real estate the most popular.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Cheap flights have enabled millions more families to take a holiday in an overseas destination, and many European coastal resorts have developed to cater for the increase in tourists. The cost of a flight is almost certain to rise in 2008 as governments view the airlines as easy tax targets.

Guildford, Surrey -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/29/2007 -- The writing is on the wall for low cost airlines operating out of the UK and other European countries as the Conservative Party - once a campaigner and implementer of lower taxes - has called for purchase tax to be introduced to domestic flights.

The tax would add up to 17.5 per cent on to the cost of a flight from one British city to another, but while flights to the European mainland and popular holiday islands such as Menorca aren't specifically mentioned, one travel company believes the new policy will inevitably lead to higher fares for flights not just within Britain, but elsewhere too.

The Tory policy review calls for the UK to be a leader on green growth, noting that it was illogical for flights to attract less tax than cars and trains, with David Cameron, the Tory Party leader, saying that much of the report would be included in their manifesto at the next British General Election, which at the time could have been just weeks away as election speculation mounted in the UK, but is now likely to be in 2009 or 2010 following British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's decision not to hold an early poll.

'It's not so much that we're convinced the Tories will win the next election and tax domestic flights', say the travel company, 'But by proposing new taxes on flights it leads the door open to the Labour Party, who are more likely to win, to use taxes on flights as a revenue raiser with no opposition from the Tories who are traditionally seen as the tax cutting party. We have no doubt that flights will be taxed a lot more in 2008 because the Tories have now made it a soft target for the British government of any political persuasion and the Treasury when they prepare their annual budgets.'

In a pre-budget statement to the House of Commons, the first for new Chancellor Alistair Darling and the first major government statement after Prime Minister Gordon Brown opted not to call an early election, a shift was made away from taxing passengers to planes, making half full flights less financially viable, with a start date of November 2009.

Citing Menorca as an example, the company points to the holiday industry on the island being a major employer, and the Menorca map changing over the years as new resorts have been built to accommodate additional visitors.

'One of the other aspects of the report that is a worry for the holiday industry', continues the travel company, 'Is that new runways at Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports are all ruled out - all three airports serve London and the South-East of England. Any increased demand for example for Menorca holidays probably won't be able to be met without increased capacity, inevitably leading to a consequence of higher prices overall.'

From the environmental lobby the Green Party described the proposals as 'fiddling around the edges when what is needed is urgent and radical action', adding that the Tory eco-taxes would hit the poorest in society hardest.

Menorca Map

Taking Menorca as typical of the areas that could be affected most by additional flight taxes, the travel company takes the view that any downturn in visitor numbers and the volume of bookings for holidays and hotels in Menorca would hit an island that relies heavily on tourism.

The Spanish island is currently served by three UK airlines that offer scheduled flights, including one low cost carrier that offers cheap flights to Menorca. But there are a high number of holiday companies who offer chartered flights in the summer months, and these companies have helped reduced prices for holidaymakers visiting the island. Neighbouring island Majorca attracted most UK tourists for 2007, beating off competition from low cost destinations in Eastern Europe, and Menorca has also benefitted from an increase in visitor numbers.

Despite their geographical closeness and being part of the same group of islands, the Balearics, Menorca and Majorca attract a different type of tourist from each other, and with Ibiza the third of the islands each has its own appeal, and each her unique selling points when compared to each other.

Ibiza is known in Europe for her clubs and nightlife, with 18 to 30's and their high disposable incomes preferring the island to quieter Majorca and Menorca. A survey by the island's tourist board sprung a surpise for many in the hotels and holidays industry with a report showing of the three islands that Ibiza's visitors spent more on their holidays than those in Majorca and on holiday in Menorca.

Majorca is a favourite holiday island for both the British and Germans, and as well as having a cosmopolitan feel to it offers both nightlife for the young with luxury hotels and villa holidays for older visitors. Plans are in place to build Spain's top luxury hotel on the island.

The island of Menorca, also known as Minorca, is regarded as the quietest of the three holiday islands, and family orientated, with tourists just as likely to be taking a villa holiday with companies like James Villas as they are staying in a hotel or holiday apartment. The island is at her best in May and September when the island's roads are quiet but everyone is geared up for the season.

The travel company who produce YourMenorca.net concludes that all three islands would be affected detrimentally by any further increases in taxes on flights, and infrastructure improvements planned for the future might have to be reconsidered if the number of tourists visiting for a holiday comes down.

For holidays in Menorca visit http://www.yourmenorca.net

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The world's richest men and women are planning their trips to Monaco for the superyacht show, a unique annual event in the yachting calendar.

Guildford, Surrey -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/22/2007 -- The megayacht industry has blossomed over the last ten years, with multi millionaires and billionaires buying yachts in the tens of millions of Euros price range - and when it comes to some billionaires they seem intent on buying a fleet that would put some small countries navies to shame.

Despite being the second smallest country in the world Monaco has established herself as the natural European home for many of the world's wealthiest men and women due to her tax haven status, with many more visiting on holiday while cruising the Mediterranean for the Monte Carlo casino - and Monaco has managed to stay as a top destination by cleverly spotting and exploiting trends ahead of her competitiors.

The Monaco Yacht Show is part of the attraction for the super-rich, and has firmly established itself as the leading super yacht show in the world over the last fifteen years. For Monaco itself the Yacht Show is second only to the Monaco Grand Prix for visitor numbers. Combined with the Hotel de Paris and other Monaco hotels the principality has successfully secured her position as a natural environment for the wealthy to live or visit.

Monaco is showing that cuts in carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases are possible in a land of plenty, and the Monaco Yacht Show has successfully achieved carbon neutral status for the 2005 and 2006 events, with plans to repeat this for 2007, establishing itself on the map of Monaco as an environmentally friendly event.

To attain carbon neutral status last year, the organisers sponsored various projects in Europe and further afield to offset carbon emissions generated by the show.

The show paid for wind turbines In New Zealand, generating enough electricity for 45,000 homes and in Brittany France paid for a heath to be planted with chesnut and oak trees to protect water catchments and provide a recreational area, while in the USA paid for a methane capture system, reducing the amounts being emitted by some 95 per cent.

Offshore Monaco Bank

The leadership for the move to a greener Monaco has come from Sovereign Prince Albert, who has been successfully campaigning among world leaders since his inauguration two years ago to move the environment up the political agenda, and it has brought the issue to the fore at home.

Prince Albert signed Monaco up for the Kyoto Protocol shortly after becoming Sovereign, and a few months later left behind the comfort and glamour of his palace and Casino Square for the wilds of Antartica to see for himself the damage being caused to the glaciers because of global warming.

Upon his return he set up a foundation with his own money to study the impact of rising sea levels, and since then has been active in the attempts to publicise the need to cut CO2 emissions in the industrialised world.

In recent months he has met both Prince Charles and President Chirac of France to discuss global warming. Although he spent some time in the US in his early years and speaks English fluently, he hasn't had to learn French and can converse with leaders the world over without the need for a translator.

Close to the Fontvieille harbour where the yacht show takes place, a new island is to be built, and the bidders have been told that a successful application must be environmentally friendly, and some proposals indicate that the island will be a floating one to avoid any disruption or damage to marine life.

With real estate in Monaco the highest priced in Europe, the new apartment buildings will be welcomed by the property sector as there is a very real shortage of property for new residents, forcing prices even higher. One bedroom apartments are currently exchanging owners at over a million Euros.

The environmentally friendly island will also include new Monaco hotels, a university and possibly a museum, with the winning bidder due to be announced towards the end of the year.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Tax haven Andorra saw one of the sharpest property price rises in Europe in 2005 with a 19 per cent increase. This has been sustained with another high leap in prices in 2006, this time of 16 per cent. 2007 could see another double digit property price rise for the small Pyrenees mountainous country.

Guildford, Surrey, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/13/2007 -- Little known outside of the skiing and financial communities, the small European tax haven of Andorra has seen some startling rises in her property values in the last two years, with a repeat performance in 2007 possible.

In 2005 property inflation hit 19 per cent, and in 2006 the official property inflation reached sixteen per cent, and according to Andorra property specialists Tribune Properties 2007 is likely to see a further ten per cent rise.

'There are three streams of buyers for Andorra', say Tribune, 'An active local market, second home buyers looking for ski apartments, and international buyers who want to gain residency in a tax haven. The international buyers add pressure on prices and often buy three or four bedroom apartments and chalets, making sure that the top end of the market is as active as the low and mid range properties.'

With a lack of snow for the first eight weeks of the Andorra ski holiday season, the second home buyers could be thinner on the ground than usual. The number of tourists is down by some fifteen per cent, and that could impact the property market as some visitors like it so much they buy a property in popular resorts such as Arinsal and Soldeu. So we feel a ten per cent rise in Andorra property values could be realistic for 2007.'

Andorra as a tax haven destination has been benefitting recently from the high cost of real estate in Monaco. Monaco recently became the most expensive country for property in Europe, and while a 32m2 studio in Monaco will cost close to a million Euros including the closing costs, Andorra offers over 100m2 three bedroom two bathroom apartments at less than half the price - with the same tax advantages as better known Monaco, bringing out a map of Andorra for many investors recently.

The different type of buyers tend to head for different areas of Andorra, with the ski apartment buyers tending to purchase in the key ski resorts of Soldeu and Arinsal.

Those looking for residency go more for the year round villages and towns which have a resident community.

Outside of the capital (la Vella) these tend to be La Massana and the upcoming village of Anyos, Ordino and Arinsal, although Arinsal's nightlife during the ski season early December to late April tends to steer many newcomers to La Massana and Ordino.

Flights To Andorra

In addition to attracting international buyers in increasing numbers for residency, the Andorra authorities have invested heavily in their ski infrastructure, boosting the country's tourism potential and subsequently Andorra's real estate market.

And for this year's ski season Andorra has opened a new family friendly ski park in Arinsal, moving away further still from her old image of a cheap and cheerful ski holiday for 18-30 year olds to one that caters well for all.

One of the few drawbacks when taking residency in Andorra compared to Monaco has been access to a major international airport. While Monaco enjoys close proximity to Nice Airport, with a ten minute helicopter ride available, Andorra's nearest airports have been Barcelona and Toulouse, three hours away, with no direct flights to Andorra.

Recent road improvements between Barcelona and Andorra has cut this by thirty minutes, and there is a possibility of a scheduled helicopter service, Andorra weather permitting, or more likely ten minutes from the Spanish Andorra border, allowing quicker access to international flights for business people considering Andorra residency.

Other improvements within Andorra include new tunnels, allowing quicker access to the ski fields, and driving around Andorra easier.

With more demand from international buyers who want to take advantage of Andorra residency, the Andorra government announced in February that it was increasing the number of residency applications from the previous 200 year a year to 500.

'Andorra is becoming more popular among the international buyers', comment local travel guide YourAndorra, 'And with Monaco real estate prices sky high it comes as no surprise that the government has moved favourably by allowing more residents. But it's not just the tax free living they come for - it's the Andorra weather as well for many who see the ideal opportunity to live in a tax free environment and enjoying winter sports too.'

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

While Prince Albert of Monaco continues his campaign to highlight the environment as a top political issue, press reports suggest that two of his staff have left. Could global warming be too hot an issue for tax exiles too?

Surrey, England, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/20/2006 -- When it comes to environmental issues and European royalty, Britain's Prince Charles has famously led the debate on global warming and climate issues for a generation.

But a new royal has entered the debate, and Monaco's Prince Albert recently joined Prince Charles at his innovative Poundbury village in Dorset.

The significance that it was Charles' 58th birthday wasn't overlooked by a Monaco travel guide, YourMonaco.com

'Since Albert came to power he has made the environment his number one priority. And just as Prince Charles has become known for his views on everything from architecture to climate change, so has Prince Albert. Of course Albert's position isn't as important as Charles' as future King of England, but where he can he tries to champion the environmental cause'.

In April 2006 Prince Albert made a trip to the North Pole to highlight the issue of global warming, and since then has taken part in other initiatives to try and push the environment up the political agenda of fellow world leaders, including involving Monaco more at the United Nations and for the first time calculating the tax haven's GDP, which will allow Monaco to commit money towards developing countries.

'As soon as he came to power he signed Monaco up to the Kyoto Treaty designed to cut the world's greenhouse emissions', add http://www.yourmonaco.com, 'and he has established his own foundation to promote better understanding of the issues of the rise in sea levels and quality of water'.

With the threat of rising sea levels, it's easy to see that Monaco could be affected as it sits on the shores of the Mediterranean. The world's second smallest country, and the best known tax haven, Monaco has in the past increased her size by reclaiming land from the sea, resulting in area where the district of Fontvieille now stands, and one of the best known hotels in Monaco, the Columbus, is situated.

But there is a danger that by championing the environmental cause that Prince Albert could turn off his people before he turns off the warming of the planet.

'Monaco is home to the world's wealthy', say the travel guide, 'And it's a place of fun. The Monaco Grand Prix, the casino and the fact that it's the most sought after tax haven in Europe might not sit comfortably with heavy politics. Happily the environment is an issue that has moved from the fringe to mainstream, and is something that nearly everyone is concerned about. Luckily for Prince Albert he has identified himself with an issue that is just as important to the tax exiles and business people who bring their money to Monaco as it is to everyone else. In the past Prince Charles has been slightly ridiculed with his views on the environment and organic farming, but now with hindsight a lot of people think he was ahead of his time.'

Referring to Monaco's tax haven status YourMonaco.com add 'Prince Albert needs to be careful not to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Monaco is to start asking businesses in strict confidentiality for finance figures so Monaco can do more at the United Nations and on environmental issues. If he looks down from his palace and sees the wealth surrounding him he might be tempted to tap into it for environmental causes as he believes in it in such a genuine and sincere way. There have been press reports of some of his staff leaving, and if true it can only be hoped that it wasn't over fiscal matters. From the European royal families on environment issues we would view Charles as the king, and hopefully Albert will be the prince!'.

Monte Carlo Weather

Prince Albert's father, Prince Rainier, was Europe's longest reigning Monarch until his death in April 2005. Known affectionately as the 'builder prince' he transformed Monaco into the world's favourite tax haven and ensured the Monaco Grand Prix became one of the best known annual sporting events. The Principality Albert succeeded to was a country known throughout the world for money and glamour, and the Monte Carlo casino only added to its legendary status.

Albert has continued in his father's footsteps with a plan to develop an island off Monte Carlo, and like his father with the reclaimed land in Fontvieille the map of Monaco will change again.

In keeping with his stance on the environment, it is thought that a successful bid to build the island will need to be seen to be environmentally friendly, with the possibility of lower rise buildings than some parts of Monaco have endured to create more living space.

Monte Carlo has long been associated with glamour, heightened throughout the world in 1956 when Prince Albert's father married his mother, US actress Grace Kelly.

Speculation was rife earlier this year that Prince Albert would be announcing his own engagement to South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock.

'Things have gone quiet recently on the Charlene front', comment YourMonaco, 'Monaco is all about glitz and glamour and perhaps a surprise announcement will be made soon. But it's possible that Albert is more interested in environmental affairs than affairs of the heart'.

Monaco has been making the news recently as Monaco real estate prices have escalated, and are on a level with London and New York.

Even the cheapest studios are edging towards the million Euro level according to Monaco property specialists Tribune Properties at http://www.monacoproperty.net

'Increasing taxes elsewhere in Europe, especially in the UK, have seen inquiries increase significantly over the last twelve months,' they say, 'and it's not the Monaco weather that's drawing buyers, but the income tax free status of being a resident, and the security that goes with living in Monaco. There's one policeman for every one hundred residents and has to be the safest country to live in Europe'.

The 2007 Monaco Grand Prix, the possibility of a royal engagement and Prince Albert's continuing campaign for the environment make the year ahead an exciting one for residents and visitors to Monaco alike.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

As governments prepare to introduce new taxes to combat global warming, and in particular the relentless rise in air travel, one international property agency predicts that property prices in some areas popular with second home buyers could fall.

Surrey, England, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/07/2006 -- The call for new taxes on flights to reduce carbon emissions could impact the prices of properties, according to Tribune Properties, who specialise in the sale of overseas property to second home buyers.

'There has been more discussion and calls for action recently over the impact that air travel is having on the environment,' say Tribune, 'And one of the most obvious ways to cut air travel is to raise the price of travelling through taxes. It's a win-win situation for governments, more tax revenue and being seen combating global warming at the same time. It's only a matter of time before cheap air fares on the scale we see it today comes to an end'.

Owning a second home and a property abroad has shown to be an aspiration for the majority of UK residents by recent surveys, and low cost carriers have opened up new overseas property markets by flying to destinations not covered by other airlines, or forcing flight prices down where they compete directly with more established carriers.

Property prices within a one hour drive of regional airports served by the low cost airlines have tended to escalate in recent years, and it is these areas that would be hardest hit by any increased taxes on flying.

The areas which would feel least impact according to Tribune Properties would be northern France, which many UK second home owners access via ferry and the Channel Tunnel, and areas where owning a property abroad was in vogue long before the new airlines started, and when air fares were proportionately higher than they are today. Access to France from the UK has improved recently with Eurotunnel cutting the journey time by twenty minutes.

'The Costa del Sol for example we feel wouldn't be impacted much by increased air taxes - although over development could bring prices down there anyway'.

But there is a warning that the lower priced end of the market could be hit more than the top end.

Bargain Properties

'There has been a significant increase in second home ownership in the last decade', say Tribune. 'Gone are the days when it was just the wealthy who owned an overseas property. Developers in Spain, Greece and Cyprus have built apartment blocks with units of two and three bedrooms that are affordable for a lot of middle income families. Given that mortgages are readily available and it's often just twenty per cent of the asking price that needs to be found an overseas home has become reality for millions of Europeans. But if air fares increase significantly and the holiday makers who rent the owners apartments and villas declines, quite a few will need to sell as the rental income pays the mortgage. There could be a glut of properties come to the market which will send prices downwards.'

Exceptions to the rule could be in the two European tax havens of Monaco and Andorra, where there is no income tax for residents.

'Historically tax havens have been popular no matter how the economy is. When someone buys a property in Monaco it often doesn't matter to them if it's a few million Euros as they're going to save more than that in tax during the time they stay there. Andorra is slightly different as it's a tax haven but also people buy ski apartments there, adding to demand'.

Andorra property prices have risen an average of ten per cent a year in the last decade, and some predictions are for that figure to be closer to fifteen per cent for 2006.

If governments do start introducing new air fare taxes to slow and possibly reverse the rise in air travel there could be good news for some property buyers though.

'In some areas the second home market has increased prices significantly, with many of the younger local population being forced to move away from their towns and villages', say Tribune Properties.

'The UK and US populations are quite mobile, but in some countries popular with holiday home buyers there are three or four generations of the same family in a village or town. But as overseas property buyers have moved in and pushed prices up, the younger generations ahave been forced to look away from these popular areas because they cannot afford a property in their home town anymore, and a lot of the local employment has become seasonal. If real estate prices come down they might be able to afford to live in the villages where they were brought up if they choose to do so. Some will still move away but at least they will have a choice.'

Conversely, far from changing traditional towns and villages into holiday resorts, overseas property buyers can sometimes have a positive affect on preserving traditional village life.

'In France for example, many of the rural villages were dying a slow death as the younger generations moved away to the bigger towns and cities to find work. British second home buyers have revived the villages by buying run down properties and renovated them, breathing new life into the communities. The property market is nothing if it isn't adaptable,' conclude Tribune, 'And while there will be regions that will suffer as a result of a declining market, there will be winners too.'

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The holiday and hotel market in Malta has seen a persistent decline in visitor numbers in recent years. But where the Tourist Authority has failed, new low cost flights could succeed in the year ahead.

Surrey, England, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/04/2006 -- With tourism consistently in decline, the Mediterranean island of Malta is hoping that 2007 will see new life breathed into her hotel and holidays industry.

The Malta hotels and holiday industry are major players in the island's economy, and with unemployment already high, a further drop in the number of visitors next year could have a negative impact not just in tourism but for Malta as a whole.

Throughout the year the monthly statistics for the number of tourists visiting Malta have made depressing reading for the hotels in Malta, and the next twelve months will be pivotal as to whether the island can stay in the mainstream of holiday destinations, or be relegated to niche travel status.

The island was rife with rumours earlier in the year that a UK tour operator was going to withdraw the island from their 2007 brochures, and a survey in the island's biggest market showed that Malta would be more expensive for British tourists than the Canary and Balearic Islands for equivalent holidays next year.

But more recent news has brought hope to the Malta holidays market that 2007 will see an arrest in the decline of visitor numbers seen this year, with MyTravel surprising the Malta holidays market by announcing an increase in the number of winter visitors it will be taking from the UK to Malta.

But the most positive news has come from low cost carrier RyanAir, who have started flights to Malta from London and Dublin.

Between announcing the Dublin and London routes and the maiden flight to Malta, Ryanair sold 30,000 tickets. And the new competition has spurred Air Malta, the island's national airline, to make offers of its own. A successful campaign saw two tickets a minute being sold recently.

'This is all good news,' say Malta hotels and holidays guide http://www.yourmalta.com, 'Earlier in the year it looked like there was only one way that the visitor figures for Malta were going for the future, and that was in a continuing downward spiral.'

At one stage earlier in the year there were real doubts cast upon whether the Malta Government would approve the new low cost flights at all. Air Malta is a major employer and some in the tourist sector felt that too much of a protectionist attitude was being taken at the expense of a possible upswing in new visitors.

'Unfortunately,' continue YourMalta, 'The Malta Tourist Authority and The Malta government seem to to make life as difficult as possible for the island's hotel owners and those involved in the holiday industry. A privately run company like Ryanair will achieve more and bring more money on to the island than the Tourist Authority can ever dream of. And Ryanair will probably make a profit out of it while the Tourist Authority is using taxpayers money. We're just waiting for the first set of figures where tourism has risen, and for the Malta Tourist Authority to claim part or all of the credit. In reality if tourist figures do rise it's despite the Tourist Authority, and not because of it'.

Travel To Malta

Speaking on a visit to Malta recently, Ryanair's Chief Executive Michael O'Leary declared himself pleased with their new Luton route, and predicted that their Dublin route, due to start operating in February, would be even more successful. He believes that Ryanair could take some 85,000 visitors to the island in 2007.

'If Ryanair do deliver 85,000 visitors to Malta in 2007 it will stop the perpetual decline in overall tourist numbers,' say YourMalta, 'It depends of course on whether a large number will be new visitors or simply those who would have visited Malta anyway. We believe the likelihood is that a good deal of the 85,000 will be new visitors who hadn't considered a Malta holiday before. With Air Malta fighting back and having successful promotions too there is every reason to feel confident that 2007 will prove to be a good year for Malta tourism. Hopefully it will prove to be a turning point and not a delay in the downward spiral of the last few years'.

The real estate industry in Malta also produces a good deal of inward investment for the Malta economy, and increased visitor numbers often correlate to an increase in Malta property prices.

According to Tribune Properties, a UK based company who specialise in Malta property for sale, property inflation could be in double digits next year.

'Malta property buyers from overseas start as tourists, and with new tourists arriving next year in increased numbers we do expect this to have some impact on the market overall. The Malta weather is always a plus point when potential buyers are considering where to buy a holiday home. But ease of access is a critical factor, and with the new flights at reduced prices it makes spending a few long weekends on Malta as well as the traditional week and fortnight holiday a realistic possibility for more people.'

Travel guide YourMalta do offer a cautionary note, urging the Malta authorities to invest in better roads and other infrastructure.

'It's important that holidaymakers want to return to the island in future years, and not just visit once - never to look at a holiday brochure and a map of Malta with good memories and return. The Malta hotels are on a par with the rest of Europe, but if they step outside to dangerous pavements, unclean beaches and a timeshare tout around every corner ready with a high pressure sales pitch they won't return. Hopefully the Malta Tourist Authority will be doing as much as they can ensure a pleasant Malta holiday experience'.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Traditionally seen as a luxury bolt hole for businessmen saving millions in tax, Monaco residency is being taken up by more and more women.

Surrey, England, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/14/2006 -- The incoming population of Europe's favourite tax haven is changing, according to Monaco travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com

Best known of Europe's tax havens, Monaco has also been seen as a social gathering and vacation place for the rich - and home to successful businessmen enjoying the zero per cent income tax policy.

With the social highlights of the Monaco Grand Prix, the luxury yacht show and the casino, the image of Monaco's incoming population could be misconstrued as a male dominated business orientated environment, with women taking their place behind the casino dealing tables and the pit lanes for the Monaco Grand Prix.

But the incoming mix is changing, and with it Monaco and Monte Carlo's image.

YourMonaco.com say that the change has been noticeable in recent years, with more women taking top positions in the banks and finance houses in Monte Carlo.

'Even ten years ago it would almost certainly have been a man you would be seeing if you wanted to open a bank account in Monaco. Now there's a fairly good chance that the manager will be a woman, who earned the position on merit'.

Further evidence of the change in Monaco's population comes from Monaco real estate specialists Tribune Properties at http://www.monacoproperty.net who have noticed a bigger percentage of their enquiries coming from women.

'The amount of women enquiring for a property in Monaco has increased in recent years', they say. 'At one time it was mainly businessmen who were selling up and looking for a tax haven to retire to. There's definitely more businesswomen looking for property in Monaco now, and more women of independent means too.'

A report in the UK from the Centre of Economics and Business Research suggests that the trend of more women deciding independently to move to the tax haven of Monaco might increase as they suggest over half of millionaires in a few years time will be women.

Monte Carlo

As well as the Monaco Grand Prix, the principality is Europe's best known tax haven, with residents enjoying a zero rated income tax.

With property prices among the highest in the world, residents of Monaco normally need to spend six months a year there to maintain residency.

An announcement has been made recently that a new island is to be built off Monte Carlo, and this will provide more land and property in the world's second smallest country.

Bidders for the development have been asked to take the environment into account - and also the Monaco Grand Prix. Which suggests a possible new route for the race.

Despite being one of the world's most glamourous sporting events the Monaco Grand Prix is notorious for a lack of overtaking opportunities, and the new space might in time address the historical criticism of the race.

Property prices in Monaco are high due to the lack of land - in the past one of the districts, Fontvieille, had much of its area reclaimed from the sea, but property prices there equal those of the better known Monte Carlo.

One of the best known buildings in Fontvieille, Seaside Plaza, has average prices of three to four million Euros for a three bedroom apartment, and a four bedroom four bathroom one is currently on the market at close to ten million Euros.

One property company who specialise in Monaco property doubt that prices will ease much.

'By the time the development is finished prices would probably have gone up in Monaco anyway, and this new development on the housing side is likely to be aiming for quality rather than quantity', they claim. 'It's almost certain that the properties will be snapped up by investors off-plan, and then come back to the market with a premium once the buildings are complete. The development in itself will attract more attention to the Monaco property market. In the short and medium term prices are likely to rise in Monaco rather than fall'.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The possibility of the Mediterranean island of Malta seeing property price inflation of over 10 per cent has been increased as a second international estate agent makes their predictions for property hotspots 2007.

Surrey, England, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/09/2006 -- A second leading international estate agency has backed predictions made by Malta property specialists Tribune properties that Malta could see steep price rises in the year ahead.

Revealing their thoughts about European property for 2007, Knight Frank have placed Malta among a list of 7 European countries anticipated to see property inflation of ten per cent and more.

While Malta could see a rise of 12.5 per cent, other countries on the list are Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Turkey.

Commenting on the report, Tribune Properties at http://www.maltaproperty.info say they are not surprised at Knight Frank's price rise forecast.

'Some estate agents on the island have doubted that the arrival of new low cost flights to Malta would have much of an impact on the island's property prices as there is an oversupply of houses. Unfortunately some island estate agencies are a little insular in their thinking, and find it difficult to see the bigger picture. There is a possibility that quite a few more international buyers will consider Malta as low cost flights make a three or four day trip and long weekends to their holiday home a real possibility. You only need to look at how property prices have increased elsewhere in Europe where the low cost carriers are flying to to understand that there is a reasonable chance of Malta being part of that trend'.

Commenting on the seven countries anticipated to see double digit property inflation in the next year, Tribune include Malta as one of three destinations regarded as mainstream by the UK property buying public, the largest of the island's property industry overseas markets.

'We often speak to UK buyers who have whittled down their choice to Malta and Cyprus, and both islands have seen inward investment from property buyers for some time now. Turkey has also seen quite a few buyers as the prices are normally lower, and there is still some countries in Europe who might oppose Turkey joining the EU, which often is a catalyst to property investment. Croatia, Poland, Estonia, Romania and the Slovak Republic are fairly new to the game, where prices are considerably cheaper. Of the seven we regard Malta and Cyprus as having the most sustainable property prices medium and long term'.

Flights To Malta

Malta has received praise recently from a US travel writer, who placed the island in her top five safest travel detsinations.

In her report Laura McKenzie says of the Mediterranean holiday island 'In Malta there is no such thing as a dark and uninviting alley, while the police force is one of the oldest in the world'.

The report also praises New Zealand, Switzerland, Monaco and Singapore as safe destinations.

The news of low cost flights to the island is welcome after a travel report earlier in the year forecast Malta as being a more expensive destination than her Spanish island rivals for tourists.

'When people visit Malta for the first time,' comment Tribune Properties, 'it's not normally to buy a property, it's for a holiday. But a good few like the island so much they want to move to Malta full time or buy a holiday home. If the number of tourists fall, so will the number of overseas property buyers. The low cost flights could reverse a decline in tourisnm next year, and that will be welcome news for the Malta property industry'.

Another area where Tribune see a rise in property prices is the tax haven of Monaco.

Studio apartments are already at over US $1,000,000, but Monaco property prices could still rise steeply in the next couple of years, and Europe's favourite tax haven could be out of reach for some millionaires according to a local travel guide.

Different recent surveys have all been good indicators for Monaco, showing more people likely to apply for residency and buy property in Monaco. Buyers from the UK in particular are expected to rise in number.

One survey says that the number of millionaires in the UK will increase four fold in the coming years, and the UK has become a very important market for Monaco real estate recently and will boost prices as the demand feeds through. Another survey coming out of the UK predicts that house prices will rise by 70 per cent over the same period. Inheritance tax in the UK is a big issue as many more people are above the government threshold due to their house price, and in Monaco there is no inheritance tax, which gives an added incentive for some to move to a tax haven.

A CBRE report on world property also noted that Monaco real estate prices match those of London and New York's Manhattan.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Already on par with real estate prices in New York and London, Monaco property prices could be set to go even higher in 2007. Recent surveys are all showing positive signs for Europe's favourite tax haven.

Surrey, England, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/23/2006 -- Prices for property in Monaco could rise steeply in the next couple of years, and Europe's favourite tax haven could be out of reach for some millionaires, according to a Monte Carlo travel guide.

Different recent surveys have all been good indicators for Monaco, showing more people likely to apply for residency and buy property in Monaco. Buyers from the UK in particular are expected to rise in number.

Commenting on the findings, travel guide for Monaco http://www.yourmonaco.com say 'While we would like perhaps to imagine that it's the fine cuisine and good weather in Monaco that is attracting the British to Monaco, we know realistically that it is because residency entitles them to a zero rated income tax.

One survey says that the number of millionaires in the UK will increase four fold in the coming years, and the UK has become a very important market for Monaco real estate recently - that will boost prices as the demand feeds through. Another survey coming out of the UK predicts that house prices will rise by 70 per cent over the same period. Inheritance tax in the UK is quite a big issue at the moment as many more people are above the government threshold due to their house price, and in Monaco there is no inheritance tax, which gives an added incentive for some to move to a tax haven. People choose to leave their money to their children, cutting out the government that would take a large share.'

A CBRE report on world property also noted that Monaco real estate prices match those of London and New York's Manhattan.

'Apart from the very obvious financial advantages that can be had by moving to Monaco', conclude YourMonaco.com, 'Perhaps the most telling survey for us was the one by Laura McKenzie, a US travel expert. She rates Monaco as the number one destination for safety. For people with money preserving and optimising what you have in the bank is important, but so is the ability to walk down the street without fear. Monaco provides both the financial and personal security the wealthy seek, and it should come as no surprise when they decide Monaco is the best place for them and their families to live.'

Monte Carlo Hotel

Apart from being a tax haven, the principality is perhaps best known for the Monaco Grand Prix.

In addition to the race that takes place each May, the world's premier yacht show is held in September, attracting millionaires and billionaires to view what the yachting world has to offer.

Monaco real estate specialists Tribune properties say that the yacht show in September is symptomatic of the way Monaco has progressed in recent years in attracting high profile events to the principality.

'Apart from the Monaco Grand Prix and the yacht show, there is the tennis in April and this year for the first time a flower show. If it goes the same way as the other events it will be a success in its own right before too long. Having different events throughout the year benefits the hotels in Monaco and the tourist sector generally'.

The European tax haven is the second smallest country in the world, but the map of Monaco was re-drawn twenty years ago when land was reclaimed from the sea. Earlier this year bids were invited for an island to be built off Monte Carlo.

'When complete the island will add to the Monaco housing stock', say Tribune Properties, 'And this might help dampen the property prices a little. But we anticipate that the apartment blocks will be low rise as Prince Albert is very keen to promote Monte Carlo as an environmentally sound place to live. We expect some of the properties will be reserved for key workers while the rest will be available for general sale. But overall we doubt if the new apartments will keep up with increased demand, and property prices in Monte Carlo will stay as high as London and Manhattan'.

It is also possible that when the island is complete that the Monaco Grand Prix circuit will change. Monaco has long been notorious for a lack of overtaking places, and this might help alleviate the situation. Included in the plans will be new Monte Carlo hotels.

'Overall all the key elements are in place to see a significant rise in Monaco property prices in the near and medium term', claim Tribune Properties. 'Quite ordinary one bedroom apartments are changing hands at a touch under a million Euros at the moment. Give it two or three years and it's possible that you won't be able to buy even a studio apartment suitable for under a million Euros.'

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

A recent survey suggests that the number of UK millionaires will rise by four hundred per cent in the next few years. And once they make their money the chances are that a good number will be moving to Monaco.

Guildford, Surrey, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/11/2006 -- The number of British people moving to the tax haven of Monaco has increased dramatically in recent years, with some estate agents in the Principality claiming that four in ten of their buyers are now from the UK, compared to just one in ten a few years ago.

And if recent surveys are an accuate indication of the future, then Monaco estate agents might be seeing an even higher percentage of Brits buying with them in the near future.

A survey by the Centre For Economics and Business Research suggests that the number of British millionaires will rise dramatically from 376,000 to 1,700,000 - an increase of over four hundred per cent.

Commenting on the findings local travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com say that the number of British people in Monaco has increased noticeably, but that property price inflation will temper any increase in new residents.

'While we do expect to see an even higher proportion of British residents in Monaco, the fact that there is going to be four times the number of millionaires doesn't mean to say there will be four times the number of people looking to buy in Monaco.

At the moment the cheapest one bedroom apartments are around 850,000 Euros. After taking closing costs into account it's close to a million Euros. Given the demand for property in Monaco in five years that figure could rise to between 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 Euros for a one bedroom apartment'.

Monaco Residency

Tribune Properties, a UK company specialising in Monaco property agree.

'Given the cost of property in Monaco, simply being a millionaire won't cut it for Monaco for much longer. Today's millionaire won't see much change out of his or her million at the moment, and how many will want to live in a one bedroom apartment. To have a half decent two or three bedroom apartment in Monaco you need to be a multi-millionaire rather than just a millionaire'.

Monaco has long been known as Europe's number one tax haven, and for the Monaco Grand Prix, held each May around the streets of Monte Carlo.

Property prices in Monaco are already high due to the lack of land - in the past one of the districts, Fontvieille, had much of its area reclaimed from the sea, but property prices there equal those of the better known Monte Carlo.

One of the best known buildings in Fontvieille, Seaside Plaza, has average prices of three to four million Euros for a three bedroom apartment, and a four bedroom four bathroom one is currently on the market at close to ten million Euros.

In recent years the British economy has consistently been one of the strongest in Europe, and with a top rate of income tax cut a decade ago to forty per cent the wealthy have become wealthier - and want to stay that way.

'Despite the top rate of tax coming down to forty per cent', comment YourMonaco.com, 'By the time other direct taxes such as National Insurance are taken into account around half of top earners salaries are - as many of the Monaco property buyers from Britain see it - being lost to the Inland Revenue. By moving to Monaco they effectively double their disposable income.

When you go to hotels in Monaco and see a couple with estate agent details on the table and a map of Monte Carlo with various places highlighted, there's an almost even chance that they will be British. A lot more than just a couple of years ago. They like Monaco, the security, the tax advantages and the closeness to London'.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Touch down of a new low cost airline often means an increase in property prices within driving distance of a regional airport. Investors are looking at the Malta property market to see if they should invest on the Mediterranean island.

Surrey, England, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/06/2006 -- Rumours have become reality and the news that low cost airlines are to fly to Malta has given the Mediterranean island's property industry hope that 2007 could be an exceptional year for price rises and sales.

In recent years the arrival of low cost - sometimes referred to as 'no frills' - airlines to a regional airport has seen property prices within a two hour drive escalate in popularity and price, especially among British buyers for France and Spain.

With the advent of these new Malta flights, there is a possibility that demand for property in Malta will increase.

Commenting on the news, Malta holidays guide http://www.yourmalta.com say that a double digit property inflation figure for Malta is quite possible for 2007.

'Cheap airline destinations have proved to be a magnet for UK property investors, and if that trend continues then prices will go up in the next twelve to twenty four months', they say.

'Other than the local market, the UK provides most buyers for property in Malta, and with the British economy doing well it's quite possible that the island will be seen as a good investment opportunity'.

Airmalta

Tribune Properties, a UK company specialising in property for sale in Malta, agree that property prices could rise in 2007.

'With lower fares, Malta becomes a destination viable for 3 and 4 days trips a few times a year from the UK, and that will attract buyers to look at Malta in the same way they do France and Spain when considering where to buy a holiday home abroad. The weather in Malta and low fares could be a magnet for buyers.'

There is a warning however from YourMalta that property prices on the island might not necessarily escalate in the same way that regions of France have seen when low cost airlines have started flying to their region.

'The Malta government has allowed more land to be used for property, and we anticipate a lot more apartment blocks being built short and medium term. Supply might well meet demand. Unless the political Malta map changes and with it a change of policy towards her environment, there is a danger of Malta becoming the Tower Hamlets of the Mediterranean, or 1970's Spain where development spoiled much of the coast.'

Concern has also been expressed on the island about the infrastructure, with some tourists and potential property investors berating the state of the roads and - compared to mainland European and UK standards - dangerous construction sites.

'The real winners from the low cost flights could be the hotels in Malta rather than the property industry', conclude YourMalta. 'We envisage a lot more people taking short three and four day holidays to Malta, often booking their flights and hotels on the internet rather than via a traditional high street travel agent'.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The government decision to give Ryanair permission to fly to Malta is welcome news for a beleaguered hotel and holiday industry.

Guildford, Surrey, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/05/2006 -- The news that the Malta tourist industry has been waiting for so long for has finally been confirmed - low cost flights to the island have been granted approval.

Visitor numbers to the Mediterranean holiday island have been in decline this year, and culmilated in rumours that a UK tour operator was considering pulling Malta out of its brochures for next year, which would sharply accelerate the decline from a destination competing with Spain and her islands for tourists to a much smaller niche market player.

Hotel and resort owners have seen the Maltese government drag the negotiations out with the low cost airlines for some time, with delays in agreements losing Malta the potential of having extra tourists for this summer season.

'It's been painful to watch', comment local travel guide http://www.yourmalta.com , 'The impression the government have given is that they were quite happy to protect part of Malta's industry - the flag carrier Air Malta - at the expense of the overall travel trade. As a result the number of visitors this year has already shown a drop. If they had acted quicker this last summer season could have been much better for the Malta hotels and holiday industry'.

Statements from Ryanair, the first low cost carrier to be flying to Malta, seem to back up the claims by YourMalta as they say they were at one stage taking a booking a minute for their new Malta route.

'If the Malta government had got the agreement in place six months ago, the tourist industry would be in a much better position today, after a good summer', add YourMalta.

Some of the anticipation of an increase in hotel and holiday bookings for Malta has been tempered recently after a survey in the UK - Malta's largest market - showed that package holidays in 2007 would be more expensive than comparable holidays in Spain and her islands.

Malta Property

'There is a possibility', comment YourMalta, 'That the introduction of the low cost airlines flying to Malta will merely delay the long term decline of the island's tourist industry. Unless money is spent on the infrastructure and improving the environment for the tourists generally there is a danger that a lot of visitors will be one-off. If there's a lesson to be learned in Malta that the government and her agencies have failed to grasp it is that sustainable tourism is built on repeat visitors. At the moment a lot of visitors from the UK see Malta as a one-off trip'.

As well as Ryanair, easyjet are also in talks about flights to Malta, with the possibility of operations beginning in spring next year.

The property market will also be keeping a close eye on tourist numbers now that the new flights have been given the green light. If visitor numbers do drop in the medium term it could be good news for locals looking to buy their first property.

There has been some discontent on the island about the rising prices of property in Malta, and with less overseas buyers the possibility of prices falling and more islanders being able to get on the property ladder could be welcome news, as today's tourist is often tomorrow's property buyer.

But now that low cost airlines are going to start offering flights to Malta, this could help the Malta hotels and holiday market as more people consider three and four day breaks instead of the traditional week or fortnight, boosting the overall number of visitors, especially if Air Malta and the low cost airlines bring the cost of Malta flights to levels seen for the Spanish islands.

Malta has traditionally seen the majority of her visitors from the UK, but this could be changing to a more diverse mix in future years.

Last year saw a record number of visitors from Italy, and increased enquiries have been received at estate agents across the island from Scandanvia, Holland, France and Belgium, helping to increase the demand for Malta properties.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Environment for business tops his agenda

Surrey, England, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/13/2006 -- While Prince Albert prepares to mark the first year of his succession to the Principality of Monaco, a local destination guide http://www.yourmonaco.com suggests that the second smallest country in the world is in safe hands and can look forward to years of progressive economic and social policies that extend well beyond the borders of Monaco.

'Prince Albert has changed his playboy image', they say, 'since coming to power he has taken the initiative on environmental issues, for example in April he went to the North Pole to draw attention to his fellow world leaders that the environment should be top of their agenda, and he has made a concerted effort to put the environment on the Monaco map of issues that need addressing'.

The environment seems to be of particular concern to Prince Albert, and with this in mind the 2006 Monaco Yacht Show will be carbon neutral. The organisers will be paying for a variety of green projects in Europe and further afield, including enough wind turbines in New Zealand to generate power for 50,000 homes.

In two further steps earlier this year to increase Monaco's influence in world affairs and to promote Prince Albert's concern for the environment, the Monaco government announced that it would calculate GDP for the first time, enabling Monaco to meet the UN's target of 0.7 per cent for developing countries, and Prince Albert himself founded a new foundation as 'part of his personal commitment for the protection of the environment and for sustainable development'.

Prince Albert's father, Prince Rainier who ruled Monaco for fifty years was known as the 'builder prince', as Monaco grew out of all recognition while he was in power, transforming the principality from a European backwater to Europe's top tax haven and home to many of Europe's top businessmen and sports stars.

Prince Albert has continued his father's tradition, with plans recently announced for an island to be built off Monte Carlo which will increase the size of the world's second smallest country. But bidders have been asked to plan the project with the environment in mind, as well as the Monaco Grand Prix. The possibilty exists that the Grand Prix circuit will be changed to encompass the new island - and with it more opportunities for overtaking.

Monte Carlo Hotel

Tradition and modernity have long been a feature of Monaco, and as well as a first class infrastructure, Monaco can boast one of the world's top hotels in the Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo.

Along with the banking and finance sectors that help Monaco's economy to be one of Europe's most successful, tourism also plays a major part, with many visitors making day trips from neighbouring France and Italy.

'The Monaco Grand Prix plays a part of course', comment YourMonaco, 'but many tourists want to see what it is really like to be in Monte Carlo, the millionaire's playground. Monaco hotels enjoy high occupation levels despite the day trippers though, as so many business people are in Monaco for two or three days'.

Property prices in Monaco are among the highest in the world, with one bedroom apartments after closing costs starting at around a million Euros.

It's thought unlikely that the new island to be built off Monaco will reduce prices much overall despite the increase in the number of property units available as Monaco real estate is always in demand.

Tribune properties who specialise in Monaco real estate believe that most new apartments will be sold to investors off plan well in advance of any building work starting.

'The problem with property in Monaco is not the lack of buyers', they say, 'but more the lack of good properties for buyers to choose from. Hopefully the new island will address that. Everyone in Monaco is aware of how important the environment is thanks to Prince Albert's initiatives in pushing it up the political agenda, and any new developments will be low rise. With the good Monaco weather expect to see plenty of solar panels on the roofs to make the buildings energy efficient'.

In his first year Prince Albert has successfully made the people of Monaco aware of global warming and taken steps to combat it, and for his second year and beyond he is likely to be campaigning just as hard at home and abroad on the issue he believes in so much.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The poor state of Malta's road and infrastructure is beginning to cost the island both tourists and property investors...

Surrey, England, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/30/2006 -- Spoiled beaches, poor roads and a bad infrastructure could be costing Malta's economy millions in lost revenue, according to a travel guide for the island.

The travel guide cite examples of tourists who are unlikely to return to Malta for a holiday, and investors put off buying property due to the state of the roads.

In one case a Swiss based investor who was due to buy a home withdrew due to the state of the roads, and several holidaymakers made contact complaining about the beaches, traffic and in some cases dangerous condition of the pavements, saying they would not be making a repeat visit to the island.

'The lack of investment in Malta tourism and the island's infrastructure is turning investors and tourists away to other destinations,' the guide claim, adding that 'At a time when many Mediterranean islands are seeing an increase in visitor numbers, Malta has seen a drop of over 2 per cent in the first six months of 2006 compared to 2005, and unless there's a sharp turnaround in Malta's fortunes as a holiday destination the overall figures for the year as a whole could be even worse'.

Property prices in Malta have risen sharply in recent years, partly spurred on by Malta joining the EU in 2004.

Recent government figures showed a sixteen per cent rise in the year to March 2006.

One Malta property company however reports that the demand for property in Malta remains bouyant from the UK, US, Australian and European mainland markets, and predict a further ten per cent rise in the coming year.

'We normally see a drop off in enquiries a few months before any price levelling' explained a Tribune Property spokesman, 'But demand for Malta this year is every bit as strong as 2005 and at the moment we can only see prices going one way in the short term at least - and that's up'.

The Malta government is expected to allow developers to utilise more land for building, but some property companies see this as a negative rather than a positive move.

'Malta is an island with a finite amount of land, and while the Malta government view releasing more land for building, and more properties as the answer to increasing property prices, we believe this is the wrong approach', say Tribune, ' and in the end more developments could have an adverse impact on Malta's economy.

Tourism is an important industry for Malta, and tourists aren't impressed by cranes and construction work while they're trying to relax or go to see Malta's historical sights, and if it's a first visit to the island there's an increased chance that it will be their last, losing the Malta holidays industry repeat business.'

Malta Holidays

There has been some discontent on the island about the rising prices of property in Malta, and with less overseas buyers the possibility of prices falling and more islanders being able to get on the property ladder could be welcome news, as today's tourist is often tomorrow's property buyer.

But there has been speculation for some time now that low cost airlines are going to start offering flights to Malta, and this will help the Malta hotels and holiday market as more people consider three and four day breaks instead of the traditional week or fortnight, boosting the overall number of visitors, especially if Air Malta and the low cost airlines bring the cost of Malta flights to levels seen for the Spanish islands.

Malta has traditionally seen the majority of her visitors from the UK, but this could be changing to a more diverse mix in future years.

Last year saw a record number of visitors from Italy, and increased enquiries have been received at estate agents across the island from Scandanvia, Holland, France and Belgium, helping to increase the demand for Malta properties.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

More poor visitor figures have shown that while some Mediterranean islands are increasing tourist numbers, Malta is struggling.

Guildford, England, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/19/2006 -- Figures just released show a fall in the number of visitors to Malta for the first six months of 2006 compared to the same period last year, adding pressure to the Malta government to secure a deal to allow low cost airlines to fly to the Mediterranean island to reverse the trend.

The fall of 2.4 per cent of visitors included a decrease in the important British, French and German markets, but a welcome increase in Italian tourists.

Commenting on the news one local travel guide said 'if it hadn't been for the increase in visitors from Italy it would have been far worse. The UK, Germany and France still account for nearly two in three holidaymakers coming to Malta, and if these markets decline further the island will become less and less attractive to the tour operators to promote'.

Rumours in the island's tourism industry earlier this year suggested that one of the major UK tour operators was considering pulling Malta out of their holiday brochures, which could have led to others taking the same action, but so far these rumours have not become reality. If they were to it would have a major impact on Malta's economy.

Unemployment is running at over 8 per cent in Malta, and tourism is a major industry and employer.

The Malta hotel industry was particularly badly affected by the drop of visitors for January to June, with a near three per cent drop compared to 2006.

Malta Hotels

The Malta travel guide also commented on the delay in the introduction of low cost airlines to Malta and the possibility from that of an increase in tourist numbers.

With worrying signs that the number of tourists for the whole of 2006 visiting Malta could be similar, or perhaps even down from 2005, the opportunity for the island to have low cost flights operating from the UK appears to have slipped by for the all important summer season.

The island's official airline, Air Malta, reported a drop of over two per cent in the number of passengers it carried in the year from March 2005 to March 2006.

The hope among hoteliers and others involved in Malta's tourist trade is that at least one of the low cost airlines will start operating from the UK and perhaps other parts of Europe in the near future to boost visitor numbers.

'With the holiday market vital to the Malta economy,' comment the guide, 'potentially millions in lost revenue will be lost this year because of delays in agreeing to allow the low cost airlines to fly into Malta. In today's world Malta has to compete with new destinations in Europe as well as Spain and her islands. Cheap Malta flights aren't in themselves enough to sustain tourism at reasonable levels anymore, although this will be welcome, but the trick of sustained tourism is to have repeat business, and unless Malta attracts new first time visitors then repeat business is an impossibility'.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The Malta Tourism Authority has set a target for the island of one and a half million tourists a year by the year 2009. With a record of missed targets, those in the island's holiday industry are hoping it's more than just wishful thinking.

Guildford, Surrey, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/15/2006 -- The Malta holiday industry has received the latest target set by the island's tourism authority with more than a little sceptism after an announcement that a target of a million and half visitors a year to the island could be achieved in three years time.

The Malta Tourist Authority has consistently set targets in the past that have failed to be met, and early signs for this year indicate a stagnation if not a dip in tourists visiting Malta.

Part of a new plan to increase tourism in Malta is to include promoting the neighbouring and quieter island of Gozo as a holiday destination and to increase accessibility to Malta.

Commenting on the new targets, one independent Malta's travel guide say that there is nothing new or innovative in the tourist authority's plans that would make an increase in tourism likely to happen in itself.

'Unfortunately the Malta Tourist Authority to us sometimes resembles a planning office in the old Soviet bureauracy. Good at producing statistics, excellent at identify problems and what the future needs, but failing miserably to deliver anything like the targets they set.

We feel that it is the private rather than the public sector that is more likely to increase tourist numbers to Malta, as they have a direct interest in seeing their plans work, while the tourist authority bureaucrats will still be drawing their salaries and annual leave whether or not the targets they set are met.'

Malta Holidays

One example the travel guide gives for poor Malta tourist figures is the delay in the introduction of low cost airlines to Malta and the possibility from that of an increase in tourist numbers.

With official figures showing worrying signs that the number of tourists for 2006 visiting Malta could be similar, or perhaps even down from 2005, the opportunity for the island to have low cost flights operating from the UK appears to have slipped by for the all important summer season.

The island's official airline, Air Malta, reported a drop of over two per cent in the number of passengers it carried in the year from March 2005 to March 2006.

The hope among hoteliers and others involved in Malta's tourist trade is that at least one of the low cost airlines will start operating from the UK and perhaps other parts of Europe in the near future to boost visitor numbers.

'With the holiday market vital to the Malta economy,' comment the guide, 'potentially millions in lost revenue will be lost this year because of delays in agreeing to allow the low cost airlines to fly into Malta. In today's world Malta has to compete with new destinations in Europe as well as Spain and her islands. Cheap Malta flights aren't in themselves enough to sustain tourism at reasonable levels anymore, although this will be welcome, but the trick of sustained tourism is to have repeat business, and unless Malta attracts new first time visitors then repeat business is an impossibility'.

Holidays in Malta and the related tourist sector are a major source of employment in Malta, and with unemployment running at over 8 per cent any fall in tourists could spell long term damage to the island's economy.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Rumours that a new island is to be built off Monte Carlo which will have new property, offices and commercial businesses have been confirmed.

Guildford, Surrey, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/14/2006 -- Monaco is to build a new island in the Mediterranean, just off Monte Carlo, confirming rumours that have been circulating for a year of a major new development in the Principality.

With a surface area of some 275,000 square metres, the development adds size to the world's second smallest country - but not enough to lift it up from it's exisitng ranking in land area.

Commenting on the news, local travel guide YourMonaco say it is a welcome development for Monaco.

'The new development will add to to Monaco's housing stock, which might take a little pressure off the current prices which are among the highest in the world. One of the stipulations for those bidding for the development is that it must be good architecture and sympathetic to the local environs - which we take to be no high rises'.

There is no mention of new hotels in the initial plans, but it is thought that at least one or possibly two will be included.

And there is a possibility that the Monaco Grand Prix circuit might be changed to include the new area. Monaco is notorious for the lack of overtaking opportunities and bidders have been instructed to take the Monaco Grand Prix into account.
Monaco Hotels
As well as the Grand Prix, Monaco enjoys having several internationally recognised world class hotels, including the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. It is likely that any new hotels will have to be of a similar standard, and as the new development will include yacht moorings speculation in Monaco is that at least one hotel will be built close to the moorings.

Monaco is one of the world's best known tax havens, and residents benefit from a zero income tax policy.

Property prices in Monaco are high due to the lack of land - in the past one of the districts, Fontvieille, had much of its area reclaimed from the sea, but property prices there equal those of the better known Monte Carlo.

One of the best known buildings in Fontvieille, Seaside Plaza, has average prices of three to four million Euros for a three bedroom apartment, and a four bedroom four bathroom one is currently on the market at close to ten million Euros.

Tribune Properties who specialise in Monaco property doubt that prices will ease much.

'By the time the development is finished prices would probably have gone up in Monaco anyway, and this new development on the housing side is likely to be aiming for quality rather than quantity', they claim. 'It's almost certain that the properties will be snapped up by investors off-plan, and then come back to the market with a premium once the buildings are complete. The development in itself will attract more attention to the Monaco property market. In the short and medium term prices are likely to rise in Monaco rather than fall'.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

In his latest attempt to highlight the environment as an issue to be addressed by fellow world leaders, Prince Albert of Monaco has stepped up his campaign by launching a new foundation to stop the rise in global warming.

Guildford, Surrey, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/14/2006 -- When Prince Albert of Monaco visited the North Pole in April this year he declared that it was as part of an effort to push the environmental issue up the agenda with other world leaders.

Now he has established a foundation as part of his personal commitment for 'the protection of the environment and sustainable development' - and in the process show that far from his North Pole visit being a publicity stunt it was the beginning of a campaign to highlight the dangers of global warming.

The Albert II foundation aims to be a permanent source of dynamic and innovative actions for environmental protection.

It is just over a year since Prince Albert succeeded his father Prince Rainier to become Monaco's leader, and in that year Prince Albert has changed his image from that of a Playboy Prince to one of a leader concerned for the future of not only Monaco - the second smallest country in the world - but for the world as a whole.

Apart from his visit to the North Pole, Monaco has shown her commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by making the Monaco Yacht show, due to be held in September, to a carbon-neutral event by paying for enough wind turbines in New Zealand to generate power for 45,000 homes.

In a more recent development Monaco, at Prince Albert's behest, has decided for the first time to calculate her GDP so she can play a more active role at the United Nations, which will include calculating how much to pay to meet the UN's request for 0.7 per cent of developed countries GDP for third world development.
Tax Have
Previously Monaco has best been known as Europe's number one tax haven, and for the Monaco Grand Prix, held each May around the streets of Monte Carlo.

Often referred to as the 'Playground of Europe' any concerns over Monaco changing style are misplaced insist local travel guide YourMonaco.

'Monaco will continue to attract the wealthy due to her to income tax policy', comments spokesman Henri Boulanger, 'And as well as the Monaco Grand Prix there is also the annual Yacht Show each September. Prince Albert knows that these events along with being a tax haven are the geese that lay the golden eggs and without them there wouldn't be a lot of point in calculating the GDP to send to the United Nations as it would account for very little. By promoting and encouraging events like the Monaco Grand Prix it allows him to play a serious and active part on the world stage'.

Real estate in Monaco ranks among the highest priced in the world, with one bedroom apartments ranging from nearly a million Euros to two million, and three bedroom apartments often over three million Euros.

Buyers from the UK have increased significantly in the last couple of years, and demand from them has helped push property price inflation to nearly ten per cent a year.

For the future it is expected that prices will continue to rise for the short and medium term, but with interest rates expected to rise in the UK it is not certain whether the supply of British buyers will continue at the same pace as recent years.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Guildford, Surrey, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/27/2006 -- With the tourist season in full swing, Malta has missed the opportunity to increase visitor numbers for this summer.

Hotel and Holiday business owners are hoping Malta finally get her act together in time to make this year better than last.

With official figures showing worrying signs that the number of tourists for 2006 visiting Malta could be stagnant, or perhaps even down from 2005, the opportunity for the island to have low cost flights operating from the UK appears to have slipped by for the all important summer season.

The island's official airline, Air Malta, reported a drop of over two per cent in the number of passengers it carried in the year from March 2005 to March 2006.

The hope among hoteliers and others involved in Malta's tourist trade is that at least one of the low cost airlines will start operating from the UK and perhaps other parts of Europe in the near future to boost visitor numbers.

'With the holiday market vital to the Malta economy,' comment local travel guide YourMalta.com, 'potentially millions in lost revenue will be lost this year because of delays in agreeing to allow the low cost airlines to fly into Malta. In today's world Malta has to compete with new destinations in Europe as well as Spain and her islands. Cheap Malta flights aren't in themselves enough to sustain tourism at reasonable levels anymore, although this will be welcome, but the trick of sustained tourism is to have repeat business, and unless Malta attracts new first time visitors then repeat business is an impossibility'.

Holidays in Malta and the related tourist sector are a major source of employment in Malta, and with unemployment running at over 8 per cent any fall in tourists could spell long term damage to the island's economy.

Another sector of the economy that could suffer with the Malta holidays market is real estate.

Malta Property

Real estate in Malta has risen in price in recent years, and 2004 saw Malta achieving the highest increase among the EU countries, with speculators buying property in Malta in the hope that joining the EU would see Malta real estate increase in value in the short and medium term.

Tribune Properties, who specialise in Malta Real Estate, view the potential downgrading of holidays in Malta as a double edged sword.

Managing Director Michael Johnson says that many Malta property buyers do so after visiting the island on holiday, and liking it so much they want to move to the island full time, while others who normally stay in hotels in Malta want to buy a property they can buy for their own and family holidays in Malta, and see buying a property in Malta as an investment for the future that they can enjoy too.

With less people taking holidays in Malta, the number of potential buyers will fall too.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Europe's top haven and the ultimate European travel destination for the wealthy, Monaco property prices have always been among the highest in the world. An influx of British buyers is helping to push Monaco property prices higher still.

Guildford, Surrey, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/17/2006 -- In the 1990's Russians brought suitcases of cash to the Cote d'Azur and Monaco to buy real estate , but now it's the British - using conventional banking methods and with it a degree of respectability - who are investing in Europe's top tax haven.

While the British have been players in the region for nearly two hundred years, with Nice just along the coast being a favourite resort of the genteel Victorian English - in recent years the British have held a presence in Monaco, but now they're back in numbers not seen for over a century.

The new wave of British buyers is welcomed by Monte Carlo property agents as their funds are more likely to be legitimately earned, while some of the 90's Russian cash was often a little suspect.

'Things have changed since the 90's when the Russian mafia were the big players in town', explains Roger Munns, Managing Director of Monaco property specialists Tribune Properties, 'Then it was easy to put a few million cash down for a property and not have questions asked. In the last few years the banks have really tightened up due to government pressure because of the 'war on terror' and tracking money from illegitimate sources. Estate agents in Monaco know that the chances of a British buyer being able to show the source of their money as legitimate is very high'.

With quite ordinary one bedroom apartments at just under a million Euros, and a typical three bedroom apartment at over three million Euros, property prices have more than doubled in Monaco in the last ten years.

In the past Monaco property buyers have often been retired sixty-somethings, staying away from their home country to avoid the taxes that come with selling their business. But today's Monaco buyer is just as likely to be in his mid thirties or forties as they are in their sixties, with the middle age British leading the way.

'A few years ago around one in ten enquiries we were receiving were from the UK', say Tribune, 'but now it's virtually four in ten - a significant shift in the nationality of Monte Carlo property buyers.

The buyers have often made their money from one of three sources. The traditional company owner with a bricks and mortar business who has sold up, but also younger entrepreneurs, some of whom have made money in e-commerce. A significant number of buyers from the UK have worked in the financial sector, invariably in the City of London. We see a lot of futures and commodity brokers who are on high million pound and more salaries with annual bonues to match.

Some British buyers continue to trade or run their businesses from Monaco. Nice Airport is a ten minute helicopter ride away, and the City of London can be just three hours away from their Monaco property with the right connections. With some clever accounting thrown in, today's technology enables people to manage their UK business from Monaco in a tax free environment'.

Monte Carlo Weather

Henri Boulanger of independent Monaco travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com has also noticed more Brits on the streets of Monte Carlo.

'The British have arrived in Monaco in numbers recently. The ones I have spoken to have recently sold their business or are on very high salaries with million pound and more annual bonuses. I would like to think they are coming here for the weather in Monaco, but of course it is for the tax environment we offer - and of course the Monaco Grand Prix.'

In recent years the British economy has consistently been one of the strongest in Europe, and with a top rate of income tax cut a decade ago to forty per cent the wealthy have become wealthier - and want to stay that way.

'Despite the top rate of tax coming down to forty per cent', says Henri, 'By the time other direct taxes such as National Insurance are taken into account around half of top earners salaries are - as many of the Monaco property buyers from Britain see it - being lost to the Inland Revenue. By moving to Monaco they effectively double their disposable income.

When you go the Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo and see a couple with estate agent details on the table and a map of Monaco with various places highlighted, there's an almost even chance that they will be British. A lot more than just a couple of years ago. They like Monaco, the security, the tax advantages and the closeness to London'.

Monaco it seems likes the British too.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Guildford, Surrey, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/10/2006 -- Too many incidents of tourists being confronted in the street while on holiday in Malta has led to the Maltese authorities taking action against the timeshare companies who employ sales staff to seek out possible visiting buyers.

Complaints have risen in recent years from holiday makers who have had their time on the island spoiled by being approached on a daily basis to attend presentations - that can last up to four hours -in the hope that some will buy into holiday property ownership and timeshares.

But the Malta tourist authorities have seen the damage it is doing to the island's economy, and have decided to act.

'It has come to the stage in Malta', comments Roger Munns of Malta travel guide http://www.yourmalta.com , 'that some holiday makers are being approached on a daily basis - sometimes twice a day - by timeshare touts who get paid a commission for every potential buyer they persuade to take to a presentation. As well as the feeling of not being able to go out without being accosted by these people some were giving verbal abuse to those who declined, or simply followed them down the street after being told no - and hounding tourists'.

With the tourism market vital to the Malta economy, the Malta Tourist Authority recognised that some visitors would be so put off the island by high pressure sales people that they wouldn't return - potentially losing Malta millions in lost revenue from repeat visitors.

'In today's world,' explain YourMalta, 'Malta has to compete with new destinations in Europe as well as Spain and her islands. Cheap Malta flights aren't in themselves enough to sustain tourism at reasonable levels anymore, although this will be welcome, but the trick of sustained tourism is to have repeat business, and timeshare touts bothering visitors to the island are enough in some cases to make sure that repeat visits don't happen.'

The legislation the tourist authorities needed to be able to protect the tourists has recently been passed, and the Malta Tourist Authority is planning to outsource security patrols to police the timeshare touts. And in a clever move designed to enforce the legislation effectively, the Malta Tourist Authority are being paid around 3000 Euros for each rep the timeshare companies employ for a bond that will allow them to work in a regulated way. Instead of waiting to take each incident through the courts the MTA will be fining the companies found breaking the rules and taking the money out of the deposited bond money, with the timeshare companies having to make it up immediately to the required amount.

YourMalta say they welcome the stance the Malta Tourist Authority are taking to protect the visitors to the island, and cite recent examples of why action has become necessary.

In two recent cases, British tourists have been targetted, by young male and female timeshare reps, and while some were based outside hotels in Malta others were driving around in cars and stopping tourists as though they were going to ask for directions pointing to a map of Malta before delivering their sales pitch, with some more persistent than others.

The timeshare reps are predominantly from the UK and targetting UK tourists who visit the island for the good weather in Malta, and the UK is a main market for Malta. On occasions the British tourists have had to resort to threaten violence to be left in peace, with the timeshare reps retorting that they were only trying to make a living.

'In truth', comment YourMalta, 'While the timeshare reps are trying to make commission, for every penny they earn they could be losing the Malta economy far more with every approach they make as the tourists soon get fed up with the persistent efforts to sell them something they don't want. Those tourists are sometimes having their whole holiday spoiled and are less likely to return.

The last thing the island needs is for tourists to step off their Air Malta flight to be accosted before they even reach their hotel with a sales pitch that reminds them of double glazing salesmen back home. The Malta Tourist Authority tell us they will come down on any culprits like a ton of bricks.

We welcome the pro-active stance taken by the Malta Tourist Authority to protect the British visitor and to ensure that they can enjoy their holiday, which will hopefully be the first of many to Malta. The Malta Tourist Authority is to be commended for not only recognising the problem, but taking action to ensure the Maltese economy doesn't lose millions in lost revenue from unhappy Brits who might otherwise take their spending money elsewhere in the future'.

Time alone will tell if Malta can protect her visitors.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Monte Carlo, Monaco -- (ReleaseWire) -- 06/27/2006 -- The world's leading luxury yacht show in Monaco is to pay for 55 wind turbines in New Zealand - enough to generate power for 45,000 homes - making the event 'carbon neutral'.

Under the watchful eye of Prince Albert, the yacht show is part of Monaco's new stance on global warming, and comes shortly after Prince Albert himself travelled to the North Pole in April to highlight the damage he believes global warming is having on the environment.

'Since Prince Albert came to the throne last year' comments Henri Boulanger of Monte Carlo travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com, 'Monaco has changed her policy from one of the few countries not to sign the Kyoto Protocol to not only signing it but taking a lead in the battle against global warming. Prince Albert has personally taken steps to show how concerned he is, and by setting the example of going to the North Pole has shown the leadership necessary to encourage Monaco companies to become environmentally friendly, and the Monaco Yacht Show is an example of this'.

The Monaco Yacht Show has bult a reputation over the years as the place for the wealthy to view potential purchases, and this year there will be nearly a hundred yachts on display to those able to afford it.

In total 22,000 visitors are expected to attend with over 500 exhibitors from the yachting world exhibiting.

The mix of wealth and Monte Carlo also means that real estate agents in Monaco will be on full alert. In previous years the Monaco Yacht Show has often proved more beneficial for the realtors than the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Monaco Grand Prix attracts tens of thousands of Formula 1 fans annually to the principality at the end of May, but with some Monte Carlo streets closed, showing property in Monaco can be more problematic than during the Yacht Show.

Monte Carlo real estate specialists Tribune Properties say that the more relaxed atmosphere of the Yacht Show allows potential property buyers to view properties.

'If someone is visiting Monaco for the Yacht Show and has several million Euros available, it's a pretty safe assumption that those buyers will have a few million for a property too, and a luxury yacht and Monaco Real Estate appeal to the same type of buyer', claims Roger Munns, Tribune's Managing Director.

Typical of Monaco Real Estate prices is a two bedroom two bathroom apartment in Seaside Plaza, close to where the Yacht Show is located, at 3,700,000 Euros.

Monaco Hotels

The emergence of the Yacht Show has helped the Monaco economy by drawing the world's wealthy to the principality for four days in September.

Until recently the Monaco Grand Prix in May and the Monte Carlo Masters tennis the month before have been the two main events of the year which boost the occupancy levels of the hotels in Monaco.

With the Yacht Show in September filling the hotels at premium rates, it has proved to be a welcome addition to the calendar of events for both residents and businesses alike, and the Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo will be the scene of many deals being signed over the four days.

This year also saw the first Monaco Flower Show, which it is hoped will also be a tourist magnet in future years.

'In the past Monaco has had the highlights of the Monaco Grand Prix and the tennis, with consistent numbers of visitors the rest of the year,' state http://www.yourmonaco.com, 'but Monaco is becoming much more diverse in what it offers throughout the calendar year. The Yacht Show has been a success, and given a little time the Monaco Flower Show will appeal to a different type of tourist, and might be as popular as the Hampton Court and Chelsea Flower Shows are in the UK. Diversity is the key to sustained tourism, and Monaco is doing it very well.

Despite being the second smallest country in the world, Monaco has attracted many of the world's top business and entertainment people to live there due to her income tax free status, and with Prince Albert at the helm it seems that the principality is beginning to punch above her weight in world politics as he takes the lead on environmental issues', conclude YourMonaco.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm