Barbados is an island nation in the West Indies.  It is in the Atlantic Ocean, but it is considered the easternmost of the islands of the Caribbean Sea.  Its highest point is Mount Hillaby, which stands 1,104 ft. The island slopes down until it reaches the sea. The capital, Bridgetown, is located on the Caribbean side of the island.  Barbados' climate is warm and pleasant, but when the wind blows or rain falls, especially in the north, it can get rather chilly! The annual temperature is 80 degrees F. (27 C.). The annual rainfall is 1,500 mm (60 in).

Barbados has a population of 28000 with a coastline of 65 Miles with the Island being 166 square miles in size.

Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the world with 358 years of an uninterrupted parliamentary system of government. The island was granted independence in 1966 but retains the British monarch as its official head of state, represented by the Governor-General. Since independence, Barbados has transformed itself from a low-income economy dependent upon sugar production into an upper-middle-income economy based on tourism. Barbados is now one of the most prosperous countries in the western hemisphere outside of the United States and Canada.

International Hot property has Identified and researched property in Barbados and has targeted the new 5 star resorts currently being developed on the island that represent good value for investors. With Established and Growing Tourist Industry - Barbados has seen a huge increase in visitors to the island, from 17,829 in 1956 to 507,086 in 2001. Visitor expenditure in 2001 was estimated at Bds. $1.4 billion, which represents 14% of Gross Domestic Product. Travel and tourism is expected to grow by 4.6% per annum, in real terms, between 2002 and 2012.The travel and tourism economic contribution should rise from 37.4% to 43.8% during the same
Period. All this means that for an investor in the tourist sector is that you will be putting your money into a destination that is well established and still growing - this offers security in the knowledge that Barbados is viewed by many people as the ´safest bet in the Caribbean in terms of capital growth. To our knowledge, Barbados has never suffered from a property recession and property prices have increased steadily for the past 50 years, an impressive record, continued demand and limited supply will also ensure it continues for many years to come.

WHY INVEST IN BARBADOS PROPERTY?

BARBADOS PROPERTY – CLIMATE

Barbados offers sunshine everyday. The constant cool breezes of the Trade Winds keep average day time temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, 27 to 29 degrees Celsius. Night time temperatures average 76 degrees Fahrenheit, 23 degrees Celsius. December to May in Barbados is mainly the driest months. Afternoon rain showers fall during the months of June to November. These are often welcomed to cool down from the blazing sun, and can last simply a few minutes.

BARBADOS PROPERTY – ECONOMY

In 2007 the annual growth rate was 4.3% with inflation at 4.2%. Barbados has a market-based economy with both the private and public sectors actively involved in determining the goods and services made available to consumers. The Barbadian economy has historically been dependent on sugar cane but in more recent years, the emphasis has been redirected into tourism and industry. Today, the economy is driven primarily by tourism, business, financial and general services, agriculture and manufacturing. The Government of Barbados has focused on the expansion of direct foreign investment - with the international business sector generating substantial foreign exchange earnings through financial, information and manufacturing services.

BARBADOS PROPERTY – TOURISM

Barbados is the leading island destination in the Southern Caribbean for British, North American and European tourists. According to the World Travel Awards, Barbados was voted by travel agents worldwide to be the Caribbean's leading destination for 2005. The island is a mature Caribbean tourism destination. Large-scale tourism development dates back to the late 50s and early 60s but colonial ties to Britain have made Barbados a popular destination for wealthy British nationals for many years leading up to World War II.The tourism product in Barbados is diverse and includes varied accommodation - hotel rooms, villas and guest houses, scores of restaurants and other food and beverage facilities. There are a wide range of nature attractions including caves and marine parks, historic sites, festivals, golf courses and a range of other activities. By the end of 2003, the island had hosted over 1 million tourists, of whom 531,211 were stay-over visitors and 559,000 were cruise ship visitors. Accommodation for tourists is targeted to increase from approximately 7,250 rooms in 2003 to approximately 9,500 rooms by 2010. Over 70% of the country's foreign exchange is earned by the tourism sector. The business community is sophisticated, and the government is stable, so life here continues after the tourists pack up their sun oils and return home. Apart from the sandy beaches, hotels, fine dining restaurants and exciting nightlife, guests to Barbados will always experience the charm and friendliness of the people as well as some major event on the island that appears to never sleep. This truly portrays Barbados as being the place to live, work, play and invest!

BARBADOS PROPERTY – PROPERTY MARKET

Barbados property offers excellent opportunities for property investment due to the Urban Renewal and Development - One Key aspect of successful property investment is to buy in the early stage of a regeneration initiative. This usually leads to increased prices, demand and re-sales. Despite Barbados being one of the premier locations in the Caribbean, it is only just receiving significant regeneration investment and as an investor you stand to benefit. Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. (BTI) has been designated by the government as the agency to manage the infrastructural renewal program in the tourism centers of Bridgetown, Speightstown, Oistins and St Lawrence Gap. This renewal program is an integral part of the country’s drive to encourage increased investment in the tourist sector. Taken with all the other key economic and tourist factors Barbados is the ideal location for property investment.

 

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