Saturday, April 30, 2011
Dear Reader,
Ecuador tops many lists as a retirement destination (including International Living's Annual Retirement Index). It's gaining popularity with second-home buyers, snowbirds and expats. But it probably isn't the first country that springs to mind when you're planning an overseas vacation.
The Ecuadorian government plans to change that with a combination of strategic marketing campaigns, and investment in infrastructure and tourism amenities. This is good news if you're planning on buying a property in Ecuador...especially on the newly-accessible north Pacific coast.
Last year was a good one for tourist numbers in Ecuador, with 1.05 million foreign visitors, an increase of 8.1%. Tourist numbers dropped in 2009, but the 2010 figures are in line with those of 2008, the previous peak. Most visitors came from North America, Colombia, Peru and Spain. Now, Ecuador's government wants to increase tourist numbers...and open the country up to new tourist markets.
This week, the government announced that they had hired MPG International Media, a UK-based firm, to launch a campaign celebrating Ecuador as a vacation destination. MPG will work with creative agency Leagas Delaney to help travelers in the UK, North America and Germany appreciate why Ecuador is special...from its Andean peaks to its rich tropical rainforests to its crowning glory, the Galapagos Islands.
The Galapagos Islands featured in MSNBC's "10 Purest Places on Earth" as one of the most pristine places on the planet. The Galapagos top the must-see lists of many tourists who visit Ecuador. One location that rarely makes it into visitors' must-see lists is Ecuador's north Pacific coast. But that lack of tourists has an upside. This undeveloped coast is free of high-rises, big resorts, and sprawling subdivisions. Beach and ocean-view properties are still ultra-affordable. And today it's easier to get here, thanks to some important infrastructure upgrades.
A new road connects the north Pacific coast with Quito, Ecuador's capital. The drive time is now about three and a half hours, making this the closest beach area to Quito. When city-dwellers want a weekend at the beach or a coastal vacation, the quickest and easiest route is on this new road.
The new Bahia Bridge offers another alternative...flying from Quito to the south Pacific coast and driving across the bridge to the north Pacific coast. Ecuador's president sees this bridge as hugely significant for business and tourism in the area. Opened last November, the bridge cuts out the wait time for car ferries across the bay at Bahia...and upgraded, widened roads both sides of the bridge mean a smooth, comfortable journey.
hese infrastructure upgrades also make this section of coast appealing to foreign tourists who arrive in Quito. And the new marketing campaign should bring more of those foreign tourists. Right now, there is a shortage of accommodation on this coast. The local hotels are small, with little in the way of amenities.
As demand grows from locals and foreign tourists, this accommodation shortage will get worse. A home here could generate rental income when you're away...and there's appreciation potential, too. Tourists will like what they see and want to own a piece for themselves...
The landscape here is the nicest on Ecuador's coast. Huge forests sweep over emerald hills and mountains down to the mighty blue Pacific Ocean ...long carpets of sandy beach wind into the distance....in the tiny fishing villages life goes on much as it has for centuries...
Close to one of those fishing villages, a small community offers a relaxed beach lifestyle, with spacious lots from $54,280. The developers did things a little differently in this community. The utilities are underground, preserving the views. The lots average a quarter-acre. Plenty of green space and hundreds of coconut palms give the property a fresh, airy feel. The property sits right next to the beach, with no through road or boardwalk. Owners are already building their dream homes from as little as $65 a square foot...and looking forward to living here.
The developer is currently offering up to 15% discount on lot prices for cash buyers who purchase before May 15th, 2011.
Only 19 lots remain, so contact the developer here for a full information package on the community.
Margaret Summerfield
P.S. I'll be speaking about coastal Ecuador at the International Real Estate Investment Forum in Toronto this June...and pinpointing the best beach locations for price appreciation. Join me, colleague Ronan McMahon, and a group of experts from across the globe at the event and discover how easy it is to diversify and position yourself for potential returns of 100%, 200%...or more... outside stocks, and outside the dollar. Click here to find out more.
Posted Under:
Want More?
Sign up here for your free Pathfinder Alert e-letter, and we’ll send you our $50,000 Report...showcasing seven real estate opportunities for $50,000.
