02/07/2009
Brazil property investments

Brazil has become one of the most desirable real estate markets in the world. Its fascinating culture, warm climate, some of the most stunning coastlines in the world, low prices and its booming economy have all combined to add to its international appeal and foreigners are picking up Brazil property investments in droves. Prime property in the choicest of locations is being snapped up by those looking for sound investments.

The biggest advantage for foreigners wishing to pick up property is that they are treated on par with the Brazilians legally in matters of real estate. This means that they have the same recourse to law as the locals and this is a huge benefit in a foreign country. The Brazilian government is going all out to woo the international buyer interested in Brazilian property investments and property and land ownerships are free from restrictions. Real estate in many equally popular tourist destinations across the world is exorbitantly priced with less chance of profitable returns on the investment. Brazil offers lower prices encouraging higher investment returns and its beautiful beaches and balmy weather only add to the attraction.

Brazil also boasts of the largest economy in Central and South America and plentiful land resources. Its economy is strong and stable ensuring that its real estate market remains attractive to property investors. Spectacular ocean front properties, acres of inland area suitable for farming or ranching, city penthouses, family homes or simple apartments; the options for properties are endless. Although traditionally, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have been the favorite haunts of property seekers, the current trend is moving northwards along the coast. Better infrastructure and increasing investments have raised the confidence in the real estate market of the North. Prices vary tremendously on the type of real estate sought and one can even buy the property and develop it as and when possible.

Compared to many other tourist places, Brazil offers a less frenetic pace of living and this also appeals to a vast majority of foreigners who wish to live there. The low cost of living as compared to Northern countries has also raised the demand from investors, tourists and expatriates. Many foreigners who are interested in tourist-driven Brazilian property investments find that Brazil is the right choice as its natural landscape offers a variety of terrain, thus increasing the potential of a variety of tourism. The country’s Carnival is legendary and its beach life extremely tempting to visitors. Property investors wanting to benefit form Brazil’s flourishing tourism industry and get substantial returns in the form of tourist rentals would do well to buy Brazilian real estate.

Brazilian property investments have taken an exciting turn in recent times and for foreigners especially there is no better time than present to avail of this opportunity.

30/06/2009
Brazil property investments has become extremely lucrative for foreigners

Brazil has become one of the most desirable real estate markets in the world. Its fascinating culture, warm climate, some of the most stunning coastlines in the world, low prices and its booming economy have all combined to add to its international appeal and foreigners are picking up Brazil property investments in droves. Prime property in the choicest of locations is being snapped up by those looking for sound investments.

The biggest advantage for foreigners wishing to pick up property is that they are treated on par with the Brazilians legally in matters of real estate. This means that they have the same recourse to law as the locals and this is a huge benefit in a foreign country. The Brazilian government is going all out to woo the international buyer interested in Brazilian property investments and property and land ownerships are free from restrictions. Real estate in many equally popular tourist destinations across the world is exorbitantly priced with less chance of profitable returns on the investment. Brazil offers lower prices encouraging higher investment returns and its beautiful beaches and balmy weather only add to the attraction.

Brazil also boasts of the largest economy in Central and South America and plentiful land resources. Its economy is strong and stable ensuring that its real estate market remains attractive to property investors. Spectacular ocean front properties, acres of inland area suitable for farming or ranching, city penthouses, family homes or simple apartments; the options for properties are endless. Although traditionally, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have been the favorite haunts of property seekers, the current trend is moving northwards along the coast. Better infrastructure and increasing investments have raised the confidence in the real estate market of the North. Prices vary tremendously on the type of real estate sought and one can even buy the property and develop it as and when possible.

Compared to many other tourist places, Brazil offers a less frenetic pace of living and this also appeals to a vast majority of foreigners who wish to live there. The low cost of living as compared to Northern countries has also raised the demand from investors, tourists and expatriates. Many foreigners who are interested in tourist-driven Brazilian property investments find that Brazil is the right choice as its natural landscape offers a variety of terrain, thus increasing the potential of a variety of tourism. The country’s Carnival is legendary and its beach life extremely tempting to visitors. Property investors wanting to benefit form Brazil’s flourishing tourism industry and get substantial returns in the form of tourist rentals would do well to buy Brazilian real estate.

Brazilian property investments have taken an exciting turn in recent times and for foreigners especially there is no better time than present to avail of this opportunity.

23/06/2009
Brazilian president presents big goals for tourism

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s ninth Global Summit on Travel and Tourism, held last month in Florianopolis (in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil), was a success not only in terms of the number of delegates that attended and the key topics that were discussed, but it also signaled the Brazilian government’s commitment to developing its tourism industry. And who could better deliver this message than the country’s very own president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva?

“Every time I have to speak in such a great conference, in which we have to talk about the beauty and the greatness of our country in order to convince other people to believe in Brazil the way I do, I feel quite comfortable, because I have to say nothing but the truth,” President da Silva said.

According to him, WTTC’s summit is the first of a series of events we intend to celebrate during the next eight years. “It is the first of many goals we intend to achieve for Brazil and Latin America. This event gathers in our continent for the very first time. In five years, the FIFA World Cup.”

The Brazilian president also shared an important goal: to host the 2016 Olympic Games. “We are working hard to convince the international community that bringing the Olympic Games to our country is to recognize that Brazil is [on] the right road to becom[ing] an even greater nation,” he said.

President da Silva intends “to help the tourism industry, because we understand it is an extraordinary industry for cultural development and economic development.”

In making the case of his country’s tourism industry, the Brazilian president said his government is mindful of the fact that there exists different markets to appease. “Obviously, every country dreams of rich tourists, those who spend thousands of dollars. But we must recognize that most of human beings are not rich enough to afford luxurious holidays. And even the European tourist has the conscience to spend only what he is actually able to spend,” he said. “Based on that assumption, we have to develop a combination.” And by developing a “combination,” President da Silva said, “We must know that ignorance is not an attractive aspect of a destination.”

To show his government’s commitment to tourism, President da Silva has said his administration has set aside an investment package for its tourism industry. “Our government is doing [this] in Brazil, not because of the flu or because of the crisis, because before the crisis, we decided to invest US$304 billions in infrastructure. And within infrastructure will be provided 4.700 km of railroads - benefits in all Brazilian airports, roads, railroads; that we do things that need to be done, but, especially, that we improve the Brazilian quality of life.”

However, the Brazilian president is also cognizant of the fact that his government alone cannot propel Brazil’s tourism industry to its best without the help from investors. He said: “We do know that more needs to be done. When I invite you to invest in Brazil, what is our ability to create conditions that you already acquired in other countries? It is not through giving out massive incentives. There are people who think that in order to convince an entrepreneur to invest in Brazil we have to give up free land and other incentives. In reality, what we have to provide is the certainty that we will be prepared to receive tourists with excellent customer service.”

According to President da Silva, Brazil was the last country to fall to the crisis. “The only reason that we did is the lack of trust exhorted by the economic system that squashed credit availability. Immediately, we continued with all the investments that were already in place. And, we increased investment in social policy so that we can emerge out of this crisis far better off than when we fell in it. I have told chiefs of state all over the world that this crisis is not to be cried or lamented over, rather, it is a crisis that stimulates countries to invest in themselves and to do so heavily, so that we can leave it in much better conditions.”

19/06/2009
Brazil - Growing Tourism and Economic

As one of the BRIC nations (along with Russia, India and China) - those expected to show substantial economic growth in the lead up to 2050 - Brazil has, in recent years, laid its focus on growing its tourism industry as a means for financial growth. An investment of $304 billion on infrastructure projects, a new airport opening in 2010 set to be the 4th largest in the world, and incredible investment in environmental and tourism bodies have all contributed to the ongoing success of Brazil as a top tourist destination.

As a measure of this success, the World Tourism Organisation has stated that during the decade of 1995 to 2005, tourism in Brazil grew three times above the global average, showing a growth of 170%. Not only this but the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has shown that in recent years, the country’s tourism prospects have continued to go from strength to strength, with 2008 finding Brazil rise to 13th in the world with regards to the revenue its tourism generates. With the investment in the tourism industry realising firm results for this South American country, the fifth largest in the world, Brazillian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has recently been keen to confirm that this remains the focus for Brazil’s future economic growth, saying at the recent ninth Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Florianópolis,

“We are not working in tourism as it is beautiful or it helps in the election. We intend to help the tourism industry as we see it as an extraordinary industry for cultural development and economic development”.

This continued development points to a bright future for Brazil, with the country’s Ministry of Tourism launching, amongst other projects, “Brazil Now” a scheme focussed on promoting lower taxes for tour operators flying into Brazil from both US and European destinations, proving that the focus remains on growing the numbers visiting the country as well as in turn the income this will generate for the already stable economy.

Brazil’s economy has been fortunate to be less affected by the global economic downturn than many other countries, with Brazilian Central Bank President Henrique Meirelles pointing to the forwardthinking of the government as reason for this,

“We are already seeing signs that point to an economic recovery by 2010… Brazil’s government took timely measures to combat the crisis. Brazil’s economy is solid because of this effort.” This forwardthinking explains, therefore, the reason why recent figures released by the WTTC predict an average annual growth rate of 4.5% for the Brazilian economy from 2010 to 2019, showing that it is predicted that they will recover quickly and successfully from the downturn. And early figures for 2009 adhere to this, with the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) confirming that April saw an increase of 3.5% in the numbers departing internationally from Brazilian airports compared to the same period in the previous year.

This strength of Brazil’s economy is already being recognised by shrewd investors who have moved swiftly to buy Brazil property into this continued growth.

Not only are the coming years on track to yield the benefits of the Brazilian government’s commitment to continued investment in their tourist industry but with the FIFA World Cup also being held in Brazil in 2014, and set to attract over 500,000 visitors from overseas, rental opportunities will abound and those buying land and real estate in the country should reap the rewards.

16/06/2009
AIPP: Factors to consider when buying property abroad

Those considering buying property abroad may like to hear some advices from the independent non-profit group the Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP).

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the organisation's chief executive Paul Owen said that now could be "a great timer to buy", but there are some things to bear in mind.

"People shouldn't lose their heads and forget the basic rules of safe buying abroad," he adds.

Potential investors should refrain from rushing into a contract to get a low price and check to make sure their property agents offer them some means of protection.

Also, those properties which appear to be particularly competitive have been reduced for a reason, he adds, so buyers should try to work out why this is before making a decision.

Finally, using an independent lawyer is essential, as they protect you from potential problems and can also hold your deposit in a third-party account until the property plans come fully into fruition.

A poll conducted last month by Foreign Currency Direct, found that almost 25 per cent of British adults would like to move abroad to live and work.

10/06/2009
TAP CONSIDERING A NEW ROUTE TO BRAZIL

Despite temporarily reducing some of its flights to specific destinations in Brazil – due the decline of 15% in the number of passengers between Portugal and Brazil -, TAP Portugal is reportedly studying the possibility to bring its flights network to a total of 9  Brazilian destinations.

Flying presently from Lisbon and Oporto to a total of eight Brazilian destinations (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Salvador, Natal and Fortaleza), TAP apparently has plans to land elsewhere in Brazil.  Belém and Manaus would be alternatives in the Amazonian region, and Florianópolis might be an alternative in  the Southern region of Brazil.