| Just when you thought that every aspect and | | | | in fantastic retail therapy or take in the historic |
| area of Spain had been explored, every secret | | | | attractions of everything from the world famous |
| delight of this stunning European nation had been | | | | Santa Maria Cathedral in Murcia to the |
| uncovered and that each pristine beach, vibrant | | | | Almudí Palace, from the Monteagudo |
| city and cultural and historic sight had been seen, | | | | Castle to the Ramón Gaya Museum in the |
| the Spanish authorities announce that a brand | | | | Plaza Catalina. |
| new international airport is to be constructed in a | | | | 4) Property prices in Murcia have completely |
| hidden corner of secret Spain. | | | | defied the national norm in recent months. |
| This new airport will open up the skies and indeed | | | | Whereas prices for homes in many of the most |
| the entire region of magnificent Murcia to a global | | | | well known areas of Spain have declined in the |
| audience, revealing a brand new holiday hotspot in | | | | last twelve months, prices in Murcia have |
| one of the leading travel and tourism destinations | | | | continued to rise steadily at about 4% year on |
| in the world for us all to explore and enjoy. | | | | year At the same time, it is worth noting that the |
| The autonomous region of Murcia is tucked away | | | | Spanish House Price Index records the median |
| in a lesser known and once secluded part of | | | | price of a home in Murcia as lying well below the |
| south-eastern Spain. It has a fabulous | | | | national average, proving that there is plenty of |
| Mediterranean coastline, an enviably attractive | | | | room for price growth over the coming years. |
| climate, a vibrantly exciting regional capital city, | | | | Interest in property for sale in Murcia has been |
| the largest saltwater lake in Europe, a wealthy | | | | increasing ever since talk about the proposed |
| cultural heritage, property prices well below the | | | | airport began. Now that construction of the |
| national norm and now, emerging and soon to be | | | | airport has been given the go ahead, local |
| booming tourism and real estate markets. | | | | developers are witnessing a strong increase in |
| If you're seeking a brand new Spanish holiday | | | | interest. Mike Hamilton, Director of Casas de |
| hotspot or if you're looking for a corner of Spain | | | | Lorca a highly regarded real estate development |
| in which you can live, retire or invest in property | | | | company in Murcia, recently commented on his |
| whilst remaining confident in the knowledge that | | | | personal predictions for real estate in the region in |
| you're getting in ahead of the rest, Murcia will be | | | | light of the airport announcement: |
| your destination of choice in 2008, and here are | | | | "My predictions for the coming year are for a |
| the top five reasons why: - | | | | gradual rise in demand. Murcia is one of the |
| 1) The region of Murcia will see construction of its | | | | fastest growing regions in Spain anyway, and a |
| international airport begin in 2008 with construction | | | | new international airport will further drive growth. |
| time estimated to take just two years. The | | | | The supply of property in the holiday home |
| region's councillor for public works, housing and | | | | market has increased over the last 3 years and |
| transport, José Ballesteros, is said to be | | | | demand had been struggling to keep up. |
| confident that the airport's private owned status | | | | Therefore prices are currently very attractive but |
| will mean that it can attract low cost airlines and | | | | should naturally begin to rise towards the end of |
| provide travellers with low flight costs and greater | | | | the year as demand begins to take over supply. |
| flexibility compared to state owned airports. It is | | | | The demand in the retirement or early retirement |
| understood that Mr. Ballesteros has already been | | | | market still vastly outweighs the supply so I |
| in meetings with the lower cost European carriers | | | | predict prices will increase more in this sector. This |
| such as Ryanair, Air Europa, Air France, Iberia and | | | | is where Spain is still a firm favourite versus |
| TUI which bodes exceptionally well for the likely | | | | emerging countries. So far in 2008 we have seen |
| number of tourism arrivals that the region can | | | | business more than quadruple and 90% of our |
| expect when the airport comes online as early as | | | | clients are looking for properties to relocate to. |
| 2010. | | | | We are looking forward to a very good year." |
| Current predictions for the increase in arrivals that | | | | 5) Murcia is affordable, it is about to become |
| the new airport will bring to Murcia are in the | | | | highly accessible, it has the best climate in Spain, it |
| region of 1.5 million passengers when the airport | | | | is not over developed, it is rich in culture, history, |
| opens, increasing to over 5 million by 2015 - and if | | | | heritage, gastronomy, nature, sport and leisure. It |
| you're going to be one of these passengers you | | | | is a region in which to live, to retire, to enjoy a |
| will benefit from easy and affordable access to | | | | holiday and what's more, it is one of the corners |
| one of Spain's most beautiful and unspoiled | | | | of Spain where there is still a buoyant property |
| regions. | | | | market, where prices remain affordable, where |
| 2) Murcia embodies diversification in terms of the | | | | the real estate for sale is expansive and exclusive |
| travel and holiday experience it can offer its | | | | and where an investment made today could well |
| visitors. From the fabulous Mediterranean coastline | | | | reap significant dividends, gains and yields over the |
| with its soft sandy beaches, pretty fishing villages | | | | short to medium term. |
| and inimitably evocative ocean views, to the | | | | Whether your interest in Spain lies in finding a |
| mountainous and rural interior where the | | | | hidden corner in which to lay your hat and find a |
| landscape is stunning, the climate is perfect and | | | | home or in holidaying in a highly exciting emerging |
| the lifestyle is so life-enhancing and laid back. | | | | destination, Murcia embodies the realisation of all |
| Whatever type of holiday location you prefer, | | | | your personal interests. It is quite possibly the final |
| you will find it in Murcia. | | | | part of Spain to be made so much more |
| 3) Not only can Murcia offer visitors a laid back | | | | accessible thanks to the new international airport, |
| holiday location, it is home to a city of the same | | | | and it is certainly a region of this beautiful nation |
| name where holidaymakers and residents alike are | | | | that should not be overlooked or ignored for a |
| treated to a vibrant and positive atmosphere and | | | | moment longer. Discover the real Spain, visit |
| where they can enjoy an exciting café, | | | | Murcia. |
| bar and restaurant scene, where they can indulge | | | | |