20 Year Low For Andorra Ski Holidays In 2007
Keywords: Andorra, ski, skiing, vacations, holidays, weather
Shortly after investing millions of Euros in their ski facilities, popular ski country Andorra has been left reeling from her worst season for twenty years, with initial official suggestions of a ten per cent drop in tourists this year, and private ones of closer to 40 per cent.
The season was so bad that it was decided to close the facilities at the end of the long Easter weekend, in previous years the slopes have been open until the end of April, and this effectively cut the 2006/7 season by two weeks.
There was hope in the middle of March when the snow finally arrived that it could increase substantially the number of visitors for the last six weeks, but despite Easter week seeing normal levels of hotel occupancy, it failed to trasllate into bookings for the few weeks after.
For a small country with a population of 70,000 reliant on the ski industry, the economy has been hit not only direct in the travel trade, but others sectors feeling the pinch include Andorra’s shops and departments stores which offer some of the cheapest quality shopping in Europe, but also restaurants, petrol stations and real estate.
A nervous wait is in store for Andorra for the 2007 to 2008 season, with the hope that snow levels, which were poor throughout the European ski resorts this year, will return to normal.
Andorra has invested heavily in recent years to bring the standard of ski facilities and other infrastructure up to the quality of competitor European ski resorts, with a resulting ten million tourists a year prrior to this year.
Included in the investment has been a new ski park in the village of Arinsal designed with children in mind, with the aim of encouraging their ski ability before being let loose on the slopes, and new hotels in Andorra’s prime ski resort of Soldeu and improvements in the road system.
Fortunately for Andorra, as well as skiing, the country enjoys a tax haven status, with subsequent high employment in banking and an active real estate industry for those looking to gain residency.
Surprisingly perhaps for a tax haven, mortgages for a property are as available as many European countries, with rates around the same level. Up to eighty per cent of a property’s value is often agreed by the banks in Andorra.
Buying a property in Andorra is often seen as a route to residency, which entitles people to live in Andorra and benefit from her tax haven status.
To obtain residency in Andorra, applications need to be submitted in Catalan. A notarised copy of the applicants passport, birth certificate and a certificate of good conduct from the home country are submitted at the same time. Residency normally takes between three and six months to be approved.
Once residency is granted, residents are supposed to spend six months a year in Andorra, but this isn’t policed.
One of the drawbacks for those looking to become a resident in a tax haven when considering Andorra has been that the country has no airport of its own, and is unlikely to have ine future given that it is located in the Pyrenees. The nearest airports are Barcelona and Toulouse.
Recent improvements in the road from Barcelona to Andorra though have cut the travelling time by some thirty minutes to two hours fifteen minutes.
‘Given the tax advantages Andorra has’, an Andorra travel guide, ‘A two and a quarter hour trip to the nearest international airport could be viewed as a small price to pay for those who will be saving substantial amounts of money in tax. Especially when you consider that their properties could be rising in value quite significantly in the years to come.’
It’s hoped that it won’t take years for the ski industry to bounce back with a second poor ski season in a row for Andorra.
Hotel and ski holiday information for Andorra can be found at www.yourandorra.com and houses for sale in Andorra can be requested at www.propertyandorra.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
The Omni Hotel Adds European Style In Downtown Detroit (1)
Your children will enjoy plenty of kid-minded amenities, including suitcases filled with games and books, a goodie bag upon check-in and menu choices prepared especially for young travelers. Parents are provided with a list of top family attractions in Detroit, local emergency numbers and a safety/first-aid kit, which includes a night light and outlet covers.
Liberty Science Center In NYC Offers Student Tour Organizers A Great Time (2)
In the middle of one of the most densely populated areas in the world lies an ecological haven known as Liberty State Park. Teachers and students can go out in the field, where they'll learn about the plants, animals, habitats and geology of the Hudson River Estuary, as well as the impact of humans on the river, all with a choice of land-based or on-the river experiences.
Maryland Science Center Offers Great Opportunities For Student Travel (3)
Many begin with Dinosaur Mysteries, where students and teachers will step into the world of prehistoric predators and plant eaters. More than a dozen full size dinosaurs roam a landscape filled with dig pits, a field lab, excavation sites, and other areas of discovery.
NYC's American Museum Of Natural History Includes Great Dinosaur Exhibit (4)
Stibnite is most commonly pulverized and heated to extract the antimony and make flame retardants and engine bearings, so the fact that it survived is considered a miracle. The museum's stibnite specimen, the largest on public display in the world, was likely formed some 130 million years ago when water heated by volcanic activity dissolved antimony and sulfur from surrounding rocks and flowed between layers of limestone, leaving a dense band of stibnite and occasional pockets containing long, elegant crystals.
A Visit To The Guggenheim Museum Delights Students And Teachers (5)
Travel Adventures, www.traveladventures.com, is staffed by educators who understand the needs of teachers. Serving over one half million students since our inception, we provide hassle-free travel arrangements while empowering teachers to create change by expanding the classroom to the world.
Thailand Can Be A Retirees Paradise (6)
If you are on a slight budget then there will always be something to suit your needs in Thailand. All you have to do is look away from the tourist driven places and you will find that the prices of accommodation and living is a lot lower than it is in built up areas.
Finding Homes In Paradise (7)
If you are a photography buff, the natural landscapes of this island paradise will make you click your way to glory. Sun, sand, and sea combine to create magnificent scenes that are worthy of paintings.
Tourism Season In Full Bloom On Prince Edward Island (8)
While certainly a mainstay of the tourism season, golf is not the only reason to visit the pretty island. A summer vacation on Prince Edward Island offers an abundance of sun, surf and sand.
Maine Vacation Rivaled By That Of Prince Edward Island (9)
Maine can make no such claim. For the recreational tourist, there is so much more than world class golf courses and warm, sandy beaches. Hundreds of miles of hiking or cycling paths run from tip of the island to the other end.
Spain Beats Off 2007 Eastern Tourist Competition (10)
Despite competition from other destinantions, Mallorca looks set to remain a favourite holiday spot for some time to come. How the second quarter official figures go remains to be seen, but Spain could see a further drop in British arrivals compared to last year.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Hawaiian Cruises - The Best Way To See The Islands? (1)
There are a variety of Hawaiian cruises available all over the internet and any one of them makes for a marvelous vacation. On many travel websites there is a section devoted to cruises and, of course, you will there find a section which relates just to the cruises you can take to Hawaii and the islands.
All About Beautiful North Cyprus (2)
There are plenty of small cafes to enjoy as well as first class restaurants. It all depends on the foods you are interested in as well as the atmosphere.
Moving To The Gorgeous Land Of Cyprus (3)
The stamp tax rate for a property valued up to 100.000 CYP is equivalent to 1.50 CYP per thousand. For properties valued at more than 100.000 CYP the tax is calculated at 2.00 CYP per thousand.
The Four Seasons Of Cyprus (4)
The highlight of the season is the annual Kypria festival during which prestigious international and local dramatic and musical performances are held all over Cyprus. Another highlight is the wine-tasting sessions that are held at all vineyards.
Tips For Planning A Trip To Cyprus (5)
Pack a variety of clothes that can be layered or changed - sorts, long pants, short sleeve shirts, long sleeved shirts, etc. Many people forget to pack a sweater to stay warm on those cooler evenings.
Tips For Planning A Vacation To Cyprus (6)
You will save plenty of money on your vacation to this popular location if you go in the off season. However you may find that the weather isn't the best during that period of time.
Taking A Vacation In Santa Monica (7)
If you are able to set aside time, whether it be three days or three weeks, you are encouraged to schedule a summer vacation with your family. Doing so has an unlimited number of benefits.
Travel Destinations -- How You Too Can Get The Most From Your Travel Destination - Part 1 (8)
But you can't even say the name of that travel destination. You know almost nothing about your travel destination. What's your plan? When it's time to travel, are you just going to jump on the airplane?
Yachting World Boost For Menorca 2007 Tourism (9)
Vintage yachts, which were launched before 1949, Claasic Yachts that were built before 1975, and at the organisers' discretion Spirit of Tradition Yachts. The timing of the weekend is good for Menorca.
Travel Destinations -- How You Too Can Get The Most From Your Travel Destination - Part 2 (10)
How is the place rated by other writers? Never take one person's work for anything that is subjective. Scan through a few reviews and you'll get an accurate picture of your holiday destination.