Holiday Price Rise Next Year According to Thomas Cook

Spanish Popularity My Lead to 5% Holiday Price Rise Next Year According to Thomas Cook

Malaga airport has broken all records again for

tourists visiting the Costa Del Sol 

Leading travel agent Thomas Cook told British holidaymakers that the average trip to Spain in 2018 will cost around 5-10% more than it did compared to last year because of the increased demand and the pound being weaker.

As British, Irish, and Scandinavian holidaymakers begin to forgo other areas of the Mediterranean due to the threat of terrorism, Spain has seen record numbers of visitors. The official data shows that 2017 was the best year ever for Spanish tourism. This increase in demand also means that supply may have trouble keeping up however. This is why Thomas Cook believes holidays may be up to 10% more expensive in 2018.

Thomas Cook remarked that there was evidence holidaymakers will continue to snub Egypt and Turkey – despite the resorts in those countries being cheaper than Spanish resorts. Safety will always win over affordability, according to the travel agent. While the pound may weaken against the euro even more next year, the amount of British visitors going to Spain in 2018 isn’t likely to change, according to Thomas Cook Chief Executive Peter Fankhauser.

The executive also added that Spanish hoteliers are to take advantage of the unique position Spain is in by increasing their prices, but did add that many of them would use the additional profits to improve their facilities and expand upon them to guarantee long-term gains over short-term profits.

Costa del Sol Still Among Cheapest European Holiday Destinations, Survey Shows

Costa del Sol Still Among Cheapest European Holiday Destinations, Survey Shows

Fantastic weather, food lifestyle and the welcoming Spanish people 

The annual Post Office Travel Money survey is a great way for holidaymakers and homebuyers alike looking to see where they can get the most for their money.

Over recent years, Bulgaria has emerged as a viable holiday destination for those in western Europe, propelling the country to the top of the charts. Bulgaria may not have the most charm, the best food, or the most family-friendly attractions; it does have great weather, better beaches, and incredible value for money.

Even though prices in Spain are up an average of 25% compared to 2012 when Bulgaria entered the Post Office survey, prices have dropped in the Costa del Sol.

The survey shows that the cost of holiday essentials has dropped by an average of 14% compared to 2012 in the Costa del Sol. It’s expected that prices have dropped by 3% in the past year alone.

This is coupled with the fact that property prices are an average of 40% below the peak values of 2008 to make the Costa del Sol an attractive when it comes to choosing a holiday or investing destination.

This reduced cost of daily essentials is connected to the improved economic performance of Spain. While the economy is strengthening and growing at one of the fastest rates in the Eurozone, there is a “lag” in the costs of good catching up, meaning that prices in coastal regions such as the Costa del Sol are expected to remain cheap for another two years at least.

Spain Named the Safest, Cleanest, and Cheapest Holiday Destination in the World

Spain Named the Safest, Cleanest, and Cheapest Holiday Destination in the World

With the wonderful climate and outstanding food

no wonder Spain is considered the best

country in the world.

The World Economic Forum released their biannual Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report last week, naming Spain as the best country in the world for tourism.

The comprehensive study ranks 138 countries around the world on a range of factors. The main aim of the report is to rank the safety, cleanliness, affordability, leisure options, and accessibility of each nation.

Spain edged ahead of Germany and France this time when it came to destinations for global travellers thanks to several factors.

The World Economic Forum said that one of the reasons Spain came in first was because the country places such a heavy emphasis on tourism. The report praised Spain for how hard the country works to provide high quality airports and air travel, incredible cultural resources, comprehensive tourist-based infrastructure. The country has also become a popular hub for business travel.

Coupled with the natural attractions of the country – the beaches, weather, landscape, and location of the country – it all goes together to make Spain unbeatable.

The World Economic Forum measures all of the factors and policies that allow for the continued development of travel and tourism, which contributes to how well a country develops and competes.

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Spain has officially been recognised as having the best tourism reputation in the world. Spain has been the most visited country in the world for the past few years. Success begets success, as more and more holidaymakers head to the country there’s more word-of-mouth recommendations than ever before. The authorities of Spain have also taken all the steps needed to ensure the country stays special.

Second place went to France, with Germany coming third, Japan coming fourth, and the UK coming in at fifth. Despite the drab weather of the UK, the country performed well on cultural and historical attractions, as well as tourism services.

The top ten was rounded out by the USA, Australia, Italy, Canada, and Switzerland.

Study Finds Costa del Sol Holiday Costs to Fall in 2017

Study Finds Costa del Sol Holiday Costs to Fall in 2017

The demand for the Costa del Sol continues

even if prices drop slightly

The latest Post Office Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer suggests that the average price on a basket of “holiday goods” will fall by around 3% in the Costa del Sol during 2017. This annual Barometer looks at the average prices of holiday essentials like sunscreen, beer, wine, dining out, ice cream, and toiletries in 44 of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

2017 is going to see the main resorts of the Costa del Sol be a little cheaper compared to last year, meaning that holidaymakers will be able to stretch their euros and pounds a little further.

It’s expected that the cheapest destination in 2017 will be Algarve in Portugal; where it will only cost you £33.36 to pick up a basket of these staple goods. This is a price drop of £4 compared to last year.

A basket of holiday goods in the Costa del Sol will cost £38.79, putting Spain in third place behind Sunny Beach in Bulgaria at £33.53. There aren’t any other destinations below this £40 threshold. In fact, the fourth cheapest resort – Marmaris in Turkey – could cost up to £49.74 for a basket of holiday goods.

Andrew Brown of the Post Office Travel Money said that holidaymakers can’t do much about the value of the sterling, but they can still do their homework and travel to places where the costs are low on things such as meals and drinks.

Europe is going to be one of the best places for value this year as nine of the ten cheapest destinations can be found in the continent. The Post Office also found that local prices fell in half of the European cities and resorts surveyed; further increasing the value of European destinations.

Stress Free Holiday Rentals Part Two

Stress Free Holiday Rentals Part Two

If you’re planning on renting out your property in the Costa del Sol or other parts of Spain then here is part two of our top 12 tips for holiday rentals. Don’t forget to bookmark the page so that you can find it the next time you need it!

1.      Put Together an Information Pack About Your Property

The demand for rental properties in the Costa del Sol is outstripping supply

Holiday renters need to know the community rules and so you should put together an information pack that contains this information. They should know the rules about leaving towels on balconies, playing loud music, having late night parties, and using the pool incorrectly. If your renters cause trouble it could get you in trouble with the community. The information pack should also include information on how they can use your appliances, the security alarm, etc. It should also have information on emergency telephone numbers for you or your agent, doctor, chemist, hospital and repair services.

2.      Set Ground Rules

When you advertise your property you need to include information on things like the maximum number of people that can occupy your property and if you allow pets and smoking.

3.      Charge Proper Rental Prices

An important decision is how much you’re going to charge in rental prices. If you’re managing the property booking and advertising yourself you should look at what people are charging for properties similar to yours. If you’re working with an agent then your agent should be able to give you a good rental price that allows you to still make a profit. Remember that this rental income isn’t 100% profit. You still have to take out the costs of the agent’s fee, the advertising costs, maintenance costs, cleaning and laundry costs, Spanish rental tax, insurance, and any other expenses.

4.      Prepare Your Property To Remove Stress

It’s important to make sure your property is in top condition so that it can stand up to the wear and tear of being rented all through the summer. Ensure that your appliances and plumbing are working perfectly. It’s a good idea to have your appliances serviced before renting your property. Have the air conditioner and filters, power supply, kitchen appliances, gas supply and gas bottles, automatic gates, garage doors, pool equipment, fuse boxes and TV channels all checked in advance. Don’t forget about health and safety regulations. Make sure your smoke detectors and fire alarms are working properly. Call in a plumber to check your toilets, baths, showers, and the kitchen sink and boiler are all working well and the water pressure is right. If your property has a pool then check the pump and other equipment to make sure it works great.

5.      Don’t Be Late With Utility Bill Payments

Ensure that you pay all your utilities such as water, gas, electricity and community fees are paid on time. It’s a good idea to pay them by standing order and check that the bank is paying the bills on time. You’d be surprised how many properties lose power and water because the bill wasn’t paid on time.

6.      Remove the Risk of Renting

A great way to take away the risks of renting is to take out a property insurance that covers holiday rentals. These policies are well worth the money and give you important peace of mind. Some of the more common problems and claims with holiday rentals are bath overflows that damage lower apartments and community property damage.

Stress Free Holidays Part One

Stress Free Holiday Rentals Part One

If you’re thinking about renting out your Costa del Sol property or any other property in Spain then keep the following 12 tips in mind to make your holiday rentals stress free. You might want to bookmark this page so it’s never too far away!

1.      The Community Rules

The demand in the Costa del Sol for rental property

is amazing and the demand is

out stripping the supply.

If you’re thinking about renting out your property over the summer then you need to make sure that the community rules allow it. If your community rules don’t allow you to rent out your property then you should consider teaming up with other owners who want to rent out their property and attempting to change the rules at your next AGM. There shouldn’t be any issues if you’re renting out a villa but it’s always a good idea to take a look at the community rules first. Better to be safe than sorry.

2.      Legally Register your Property

After making sure you can legally rent your property you need to register your property with the town hall or have your lawyer take care of it for you.

3.      Holiday Rental Agreement

Put together a standard holiday rental agreement or consult your lawyer and ask them to put one together for you. If you’re planning on renting using an agent they will have their own rental agreement.

4.      Handling Rental Bookings On Your Own

If you’re planning to handle the bookings then you also need to arrange everything else including cleaning, laundry, maintenance, repairs, meet and greet, taking bookings, collecting money, advertising, dealing with problematic renters, repairing damage to your property, and everything else.

5.      You’re Going to Compete with Other Rental Properties

The holiday rental industry is a very competitive one. Put together a list of all the appealing things about your property that the agent or you can use to sell your property to holiday renters. It could be something as simple as the view. The location, the condition of the property, the kitchen, if the property is accessible, the pool and garden, etc. Take some photos of the interior and exterior as well as nearby attractions such as the beach or golf course. These are great for advertising your property.

6.      Target the Holidaymakers You Want To Rent Out Your Property

Make sure you’re clear about the people you want renting your property; advertise clearly that you want families or couples and cater to those groups with things like baby cots, a fold down sofa for the children, board games and books, and things like that.

Britons Win £2.6 Million in Spanish Holiday Home Tax Fiasco

Britons Win £2.6 Million in Spanish Holiday Home Tax Fiasco

British people who bought Spanish holiday homes have been refunded at least €3.3 million (£2.6 million) in punitive taxes that should never have been charged to them in the first place.

Great news for any one purchasing a holiday home

The overcharging came as a result of Britons being overcharged Inheritance Tax and has led to millions of euros being refunded by the Spanish authorities.

The Barcelona based Spanish Legal Reclaims law firm is also managing a further €7 million worth of claims.

The CEO of Spanish Legal Reclaims says that anyone paid inheritance tax in the last five years are eligible to claim back the tax that they paid. He does warn that it is difficult to do this, however.

He also added that he expects at least €3 million more to be filed in the next few years as more claimants come forward and demand a refund.

There are other law firms who are getting in on the action and helping Britons win back their money after being unfairly charged inheritance tax. The situation is so bad that there are currently no official estimates on how much could be won back.

As Spain is the country where Brits usually buy holiday homes and second properties it’s been estimated that 100,000 people have overpaid a grand total of €300 million in inheritance tax.

Spanish authorities raised inheritance tax and levied it on lifetime gifts. Inheritance tax is paid when someone dies and leaves their home to their family or friends.

In several cases the inheritance tax came to a third of the value of the property and the person who inherited the house would have to pay this within six months of receiving the property.

On the other hand Spanish residents were exempt from up to 99 percent of inheritance tax and paid almost nothing.

It was decided by the European Court of Justice in 2014 that charging people from outside of the country, but still within the EU or a European Economic Area country, more than locals was discriminatory. As a result it demanded that these people should be paid back and even paid back with interest.

The average claim by non-residents is costing the Spanish authorities €30,000. This repayment is also not an automatic thing. Claimants have to file to receive one .

Mr Cuervo, CEO of Spanish Legal Reclaims, said that if a non-resident was charged inheritance tax since 2010 they are eligible to reclaim the tax in Spain. They would need the help of specialised lawyers however as it’s a complex thing to do. There is more than one form to fill in and you need all the help you can get.