Newsletter - October 2008
Welcome to the inaugural issue of our e-newsletter!
Inside you will find related news on international travel, business, and property investing. There will be material on the locations featured on our site as well as related "emerging markets." We will feature select property deals and special offers, and a "Highlighted Property Deal" announcement to close out each newsletter issue as well as coming attractions and new site updates to look forward to. Thanks for checking us out and as always, we welcome your feedback. If you have any questions regarding the content featured in our newsletters or main site, or would like to be added to our mailing list, feel free to write us at: info@vinniesworld.com or click on the following link: Subscribe to our monthly newsletters.
As many of you who have spent time on our site will know, we maintain a strong presence in select emerging market countries such as Nicaragua, and in particular, a selection of top-notch developments along the Pacific coast. You know that as global travelers and property owners ourselves, that we believe in promoting only those locations where we have a presence and know first hand that any deals we can bring to you are exceptional offers and excellent investment opportunities. And with that, we'd like to begin by introducing one of the latest deals from one of our primary partners...
The monumental Gran Pacifica Resort is quickly establishing itself as a leader in Nicaragua's burgeoning coastal development. It continues to transform itself into a small community on the beach with 22 condominiums and 24 homes now completed in short order. Full time residents are already living and enjoying a new life at Gran Pacifica. 18 holes of championship golf are under construction, a new town center is on the way, dining, shopping, and much more is on the way.
The good news for current owners, and potential investors, is that last month one of the final pieces of the funding for its world class hotel was approved. Indeed, it will not be long before this large scale coastal project is crowned by a brand new four-star hotel. While there is still a ways to go from the ground breaking, those of us who have watched the progress know they are delivering on their promises and the hotel is the next big one to come. Unquestionably, this will have a major impact on both the local economy and the property values for current and future owners.
"Buy what you see" is important, and the reality you can see with your own eyes is impressive. Cobblestone streets, clay brick sidewalks, fiber optic telecommunications and TV, and their own municipal water systems are certainly reason enough for you to take a long look at this impressive development. But since there is the high probability of a nice upside with the construction of a brand name hotel, you could take advantage of that too.
Check out our latest special offers today!
An oceanfront condo at Gran Pacifica starts at $140K. Homes overlooking the 18-hole golf course under construction begin at $160K. These prices make an oceanside retirement dream achievable for the vast majority of North Americans... but they won’t last. Special financing is available with as little as 20% down.
Ask about our Casita Special and the 8.75% financing option. These are incredible values for what already exists on the property today. Imagine what it could be worth with a major international hotel just around the corner. Take a few minutes to visit our "Special Deals" section for Gran Pacifica, then contact us to receive more details or to make a reservation on a property.
Like to visit Gran Pacifica and see all that's taking place in person? We'll help you plan your next trip to Nicaragua, quickly becoming one of the more popular tourist destinations for its warm climate, and abundance of outdoor adventure. Contact our Client Services team to set up your tour and see the reality with your own eyes!
http://www.vinniesworld.com/property/nicaragua/gran_pacifica/gp_specials.htm
Property Market Reviving in Nicaragua as Worries Over Political Regime Subside
Property investors from the US are no longer buying in Nicaragua because of the economic downturn and
concerns over the political regime, it is claimed.
But European investors are stepping into the breach and the country's property market is starting to recover from a spartan period.
'You have to be somewhat of a contrarian to buy real estate in Nicaragua right now,' said developer and advisor Jeff Cassel. 'Two years ago this Nicaragua was right up there in the property-buying popularity polls. Hordes of buyers, especially soon-to-be American and Canadian retirees, couldn't get enough of it,' he explained.
'Pristine properties in Nicaragua were plentiful - beachfront, mountaintop, lakeside, and everything in between and best of all, they were very inexpensive. This was the fabulous frontier, waiting to be explored and settled.'But the US buyers dried up due to the election of Daniel Ortega as president of Nicaragua and then the economic crisis.
Now Ortega is taking steps to encourage foreign investors and is openly talking about new regulations to encourage overseas investment.
'It's not for the timid or for those who are worried about the country's political uncertainties. But contrarians may win big here, as the potential for gain is great if nearby Costa Rica and Panama are any example,' said Cassel.
Others agree. According to Robin Donaldson, a real estate agent, things are picking up gradually. 'As Ortega refrains from pursuing an aggressive policy foreign investors and the markets are coming back to life, Nicaragua has plenty of models in Latin America for growth in the real estate sector,' she said.
Charles Southwell of RE/MAX Granada said there is potential. 'Nicaragua is turning into quite a tourist mecca, and it has huge investment possibilities,' he said. He compares it to Costa Rica which has succeeded in becoming a popular tourist destination, an inexpensive place to do business and attracted global players such as Microsoft and GE.
'The countries that build the middle class are the countries that have long-term success, and that's what's happening here,' Finch said. And some Americans are also taking the risk. 'We've been getting lots of inquiries from Americans posted in Afghanistan,' said Cassel.
Source:
www.propertywire.com/news/south-america/property-market-reviving-nicaragua-200807311403.html
Special Announcement: Golf course lots in the new Gran Pacifica Resort
are available for only $49,990 with 0% interest financing!
Nicaragua - Teetering on the Edge of a Property Boom
The Nicaragua of the 21st century is all the things that most people probably thought it wasn't - safe, affordable, peaceful, culturally diverse, environmentally stunning and teetering on the edge of a property boom fuelled by foreign interest.
Like neighbour Costa Rica to the south, Nicaragua has both Pacific and Caribbean shorelines, a tropical climate and a wealth of natural phenomena from virgin beaches to living reefs and from volcanic chains to dense rainforests.
There is however one main difference, Nicaragua's property prices are 30 to 50% cheaper than Costa Rica's. Property investors take note.
Over recent years, due to ease of access with flying times from as little as two and a half hours direct, Nicaragua has made a conscious decision to woo the vast retirement and second home market from North America. Developers have made a distinct shift towards turnkey luxury developments with sophisticated services such as first rate golf courses and Spas – but at affordable prices. Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort on the Pacific coastline, one hour's drive south of the capital Managua, is leading the way in this department.
Covering a mammoth 923 acres, the scale of Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort is quite tricky to comprehend. Property-wise investors can choose from ocean view homes, condo apartments and golf villas as well as some unique hilltop residences plus homes overlooking the Tecolapa River which weaves three kilometres of its course through the resort. Kayaks and canoes will be made available for adventurous types wishing to explore the flora and fauna from its waters.
Whilst on the leisure front Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort will count Nicaragua's only 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, the country's first Wellness Spa, a private beach club with cabanas and swim-up bar, five-star boutique hotel with fitness centre and a Lifestyle Plaza accommodating shops, restaurants, internet cafés, banks, a casino, nightclub and a performing arts venue.
The developers have been careful not to commandeer Nicaragua's precious landscape without holding high regard for the environment and local community. In fact a very clear mission statement is in place to foster growth, self-reliance and an improved standard of living for the country whilst protecting and preserving the natural assets. The developer is planning multiple programs in education and healthcare as well as projects such as creating soccer pitches.
Employees within the resort will be offered full hospitality training and they will have their own community within the resort. Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort will also have a unique on-site cultural museum centered on an active archaeological dig which has discovered some of the oldest artifacts in Nicaragua. Unsurprisingly Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort has the full support of the Nicaraguan Government and incumbent President.
Source: www.propertywire.com/news/company-news/nicaragua-edge-property-boom-200808111443.html
Sagging Markets? Look To China
Wealthy Chinese consumers are ripe for the pitching, but approach with caution
This article was originally published on the website of Adweek.
If your to-do list right now focuses on reducing budgets and cutting back marketing expenditures, then you probably need some good news.
Concerns about the downturn in the U.S. economy mean that global brands have to look elsewhere for growth. The welcome news is that China is now ready to provide an alternative motor to the global economy.
If I were a CMO looking at static or declining sales in my traditional markets, I’d want a piece of China. A key section of this market now has enough wealth to consume products made there and abroad. Economic growth was 11 percent in 2007 — the fastest rate in 13 years. And the Beijing Olympics in August will add another feather in the cap of the world’s biggest economic success story.
Many brands are already taking action, and ad spend has soared by 20 percent each of the last three years. We’ve been working with Volkswagen since 2001, and China is now its biggest global market, with 1 million units expected to sell this year.
China, however, is not just another market. You need to approach it with care and reverence for its traditions, and an understanding of the right way to speak to newly empowered consumers. The Chinese take their culture seriously, and things that have no consequence in the West may have deep significance here. You may find that you need a shifu, or teacher, but here are a few early lessons to consider before attempting to conquer this market.
Don’t target a billion people. China may have more than 1.3 billion citizens, but not all of them are in the market for Western goods. Yes, disposable income is increasing, with top wage earners in Beijing earning on average $12,500 a year, but the “middle classes” average just $7,000 a year. That’s not much by Western standards, but in a low-cost market it’s an impressive amount of spending power.
Forget traditional statistical analysis. The analytics developed in Europe and the U.S. won’t give you the whole picture. China may seem fairly homogeneous: The vast bulk of the population comes from a single ethnic group, the Han Chinese. But the more you look at this vast country, the more complex it becomes. Do you break it down by north versus south, urban versus rural, first-tier cities versus second-tier cities, rice versus noodles? The answer is all of the above, but more importantly you have to target culturally. You can’t talk to someone in Chongqing like someone in Shanghai.
Cultural ties run deep. Ancient traditions remain an influence, even if today’s consumers can’t articulate their impact on their decision-making processes. This means that messages have to be culturally as well as strategically right. For example, when it launched in China, Fruit of the Loom selected a mango, coconut and orange as more culturally relevant symbols to complement apples and grapes in its logo.
Nike used the historical fact that old Beijing city used to be guarded by nine gates as the theme behind a three-on-three basketball-influenced campaign called Battle of the Nine Gates, which included a tournament and an experiential event. More than 6,000 kids competed within their neighborhoods for the right to represent their gate in a final held in the heart of the Forbidden City, where pop culture met ancient history in a fusion of posters, Nine Gates newspapers and street teams.
Traditions impact purchasing patterns. Image has always been important in Chinese society. As soon as they can afford it, consumers select the kind of car that will send out a strong status message to friends, family and business contacts. Different car models carry different messages than in the West. For example, Audis are the transport of Chinese officials. So if that’s the image or “face” you want to portray, get yourself an Audi.
Louis Vuitton, which opened its first Chinese store in 1992, is doing well for much the same reason. Now Fendi is about to launch, taking advantage of the fact that 15 percent of the population — more than 160 million — are now active consumers of luxury brands.
But don’t think these consumers will flash their cash. They may drive a VW, but they will still scrutinize
the price of a bottle of shampoo.
Be prepared for things to change fast. This traditional market moves quickly. People who lived through the Industrial Revolution in the West probably saw a tenfold improvement in their standard of living. For many of today’s Chinese the rate of change has been far greater than that. In fact, every year in China is probably worth three in the West.
The way that information travels is also different. Although the government tightly controls TV and print, the Internet adds a different dimension to the mix, opening up new information for consumers. It offers a powerful means of expression — one in 30 Chinese people blog — and this is a great place to research what people really think.
Let’s take the Olympics as an example. When the official mascots were unveiled in 2005, traditional media praised the cartoon characters while bloggers were more critical, and more in tune with real public opinion. (By the way, MySpace, YouTube and Google count for nothing compared to homegrown sites such as Baidu, QQ, Sina, Sohu and NetEase.)
The learning curve is steep, but you can no longer ignore China. And with Western markets facing tough times, success in this market could help deliver a profitable 2008. Welcome to China.
Author: Dan Mintz
Source: www.chinasuccessstories.com/2008/08/27/target-traditional-chinese-markets
Bulgaria is among World's Top 10 Ethical Destinations
The world’s most ethical destinations for 2008 have been announced in the biannual report named ‘The World's Best Ethical Travel Destinations’.
“Each year, the public’s interest in responsible tourism grows” said Jeff Greenwald, Executive Director of Ethical Traveller and co-author of the report.
“This report helps travellers who choose to use their tourism dollars to support human rights and the environment”.
The most ethical destinations in alphabetical order for 2008 are Argentina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Costa Rica, Estonia, Namibia, Nicaragua and South Africa.
Publicly available data from the United Nations Development Program, UNICEF, Columbia University and Yale were used to rate the world’s developing countries, said Christy Hoover, co-author of the report, adding that it was based on “their commitment to environmental protection, social welfare and human rights”.
Source: www.etravelblackboard.com
Alternative Tourism in Bulgaria Has Great Potential
Tourists from Europe, the US and Australia visit Bulgaria to watch
endangered species from the animal world and rare plants and
butterflies, Dobromir Domuschiev – a member of the Bulgarian Association of Alternative Tourism said.
Annually about 5,000 foreigners come to Bulgaria seeking to enjoy alternative tourism, as their number increases every year, he added.
By contrast to the average tourist who seeks a good hotel along the Black Sea coast and a place on the beach the client of an alternative tourism company prefers the wilderness in order to find a rare bird, flower or butterfly.
According to experts more and more wealthy people prefer this type of tourism.
Most of us do not see plants, animals and butterflies as a financial resource while in fact preserved nature can be a means for making money, says Andrey Ralev from the Balkani wildlife association who has been working in the alternative tourism sphere in the Rhodopi Mountains area since 2003.
People coming to watch birds in Bulgaria a very small percent of the total number of tourists but the money they spend in the country are more as the services offered are more expensive, Mr. Ralev added.
Currently this sphere is quite dynamic and every year the number of people visiting Bulgaria attracted by its nature increases a lot.
Usually, the people looking for this type of holiday are quite wealthy and their hobby is photography. Special tours are organized and holidaymakers are offered “shooting objects” depending on their interests – birds, mammals, plants, butterflies, dragonflies.
The most popular spots for alternative tourism in Bulgaria are the central part of Stara Planina Mountain, the Eastern Rhodopi Mountains, Sakar Mountain, the Shabla Lakes, Dourankulak and Srebarna, Cape Kaliakra, the Kresna Gorge, the towns of Melnik and Trigrad.
The tourists are mainly from Europe – the UK, Germany, the Netherlands. Denmark, as well as from France, Italy, and Spain, Dobromir Domuschiev added. There are also tourists from the US and even from Australia.
Source: http://news.expert.bg
Highlighted Property Deal!
Aheloy Palace: An Incomparable Beachfront Resort
The ultimate in stylish living, Aheloy Palace features a magnificent
portfolio of beachfront residences, destined to set a new bench mark in
quality, comfort and design, privacy and unparalleled sea views.
The contemporary theme of the architecture continues through the entire complex and the large open spaces are emphasised by an extensive use of glass and high-vaulted ceilings. Emanating warmth and charm, all Aheloy Palace residences come with nicely proportioned rooms, lift access and balconies. Oriented towards the sea and the sun, the holiday complex delivers light and airy interiors with a distinct "wow factor" view from every apartment unit.
Water features abound at Aheloy Palace and include: a fabulous swimming-pool area with shallow sections for children, a pool bar for parents and a wonderful panorama that stretches out to the sea. Other on-site amenities include: two restaurants, a café, a stunning sky bar, a business centre and beautifully landscaped gardensWith its most desirable location and extensive range of affordable properties, Aheloy Palace presents many options. Whilst offering an alluring holiday home for yourself and your family, this is also an excellent investment opportunity for both capital growth and rental income generated through a full property management program.
Specially priced from $54,000!
Contact: euroventures@vinniesworld.com for more details
Upcoming News & Events
Look for major changes to Vinnie's World and the services we offer in the weeks ahead. We're continuing to grow and expand our business and will soon be offering several new sections to our site designed to offer you more information, more locations, more special deals, and... more! In the meantime, we've recently published a new Discussion Forum section and Blog, so take some time to check them out, write or talk about related topics with others and let's move things forward! Till next time, onward and upward.
Additional Resources:
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For more travel related content and international travel news, visit our Travel Resources section.
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Discover Nicaragua as an up and coming tourist destination and its thriving Pacific coast communities: The Undiscovered Country
- Visit our Image Gallery for a full range of images and content on a selection of international destinations.
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