The Idyllic Cayman Islands Is a Major Offshore Financial Services Centre

To most people the Cayman Islands conjures up an image of an idyllic holiday, and it's true that tourism accounts for around 70 to 75% of the annual GDP of the Cayman Islands, but it is also one of the world’s most important offshore financial services centre which includes vessel and aircraft registration, banking, mutual funds, companies and partnerships incorporation, trusts and the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange.

At the end of 2005 over 70,000 companies were incorporated on the Cayman Islands including 430 trust companies and banks and more than 7,000 funds. The Cayman Islands is also distinctive for having the highest standard of living in the Caribbean, as the average income here is $42,000 making GDP per capita the eighth highest in the world.

The islands are and overseas territory of the UK, and as such are largely managed from the United Kingdom, but the government of the Cayman Islands often resolves important issues without any intervention from Britain, and in recent years has developed a significant relationship with the US.

The government's main source of income is through indirect taxation, as locals and Cayman Island companies are not subject to any type of direct taxation. Import duty of 20% is charged against goods imported into the islands, and duty on imported cars can cost as much as 40% for expensive models.

The population on the islands is around 53,000, and more than 100 nationalities are represented here. Around half of the population is Caymanians and most of the residents reside on Grand Cayman. One of the biggest attractions on Grand Cayman is the world-famous Seven Mile Beach which has the reputation of being amongst the best in the world.

The Rising Popularity of Cape Verde Holidays

Cape Verde is rapidly increasing in popularity, and is beginning to feature in many top 10 destination lists, and it's little wonder. This island is just a few hours flight away from the UK, and has good international connections with many European cities. It's ideal for a short break and there is no jetlag. The archipelago enjoys good year-round weather, and is becoming known as a winter holiday destination.

One of the most popular islands is Boa Vista, and it is also one of the warmest as it is closest to the African mainland and receives hot winds from the Sahara. The capital city of Sal Rei is laid-back. There are a number of good restaurants and cafes just off the main square, but it really comes to life in the evenings with live music being played in many bars.

Away from the main city, the white beaches are absolutely beautiful, and the Estoril dunes are well worth a visit especially on a quad bike tour.

There are also a few volcanic formations and date palms peppering an otherwise barren landscape.

Boa Vista is the third most important nesting site for loggerhead turtles in the world. This endangered species visit the island between May and September to lay their eggs on the beach. Research is being done to track their migratory routes by logging and tagging the turtles.

Obviously the main attraction of this island has to be the beaches. The island is a perfect spot for windsurfers, as the water is just 1 to 2 m deep with terrific swell and no currents.

Altinkum Is Enviably Located in One of the Nicest Parts of Turkey

Altinkum enjoys an enviable location in one of the nicest parts of Turkey, and it is also in one of the most interesting regions. It is 200 km south from Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey, and just 110 km from Bodrum and 73 km from Kusadasi, both of which are important tourist resorts.

Even though it is relatively close to these major resorts, property prices are still very reasonable, especially considering the fact that it is a very family oriented resort with gently sloping golden beaches that are perfect for families. It's also just as good for anyone who just wants to unwind and soak up the sun for a few hours each day.

There are plenty of umbrellas and sunbeds for hire at reasonable daily rates, and you can either choose to just swim in the beautifully clear seas, or to try out one of the huge range of watersports available from the beach. This includes jet skis, banana boat rides, windsurfing and pedalos.

The locals in Altinkum are friendly, and most speak good English. It's nice to take an evening stroll along the promenade, although it does get pretty busy and noisy at times. There is an excellent choice of restaurants, and you can choose to eat cheaply or indulge in something a little more lavish.

The region has a considerable history, and one of the most important sites is the temple of Apollo in Didim. This amazing structure was created 700 years before Christ, and is considered to be one of the most important temples in the ancient world.

It is the architectural twin of the Artemision which was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Even if you don't normally like to spend your holiday traipsing round ancient sites, this one is well worth a look.

New Tourism School Planned for the Cayman Islands

The premiere of the Cayman Islands intends to establish a tourism and local hospitality school early in 2012, in order to encourage more Caymanians into this growing sector.

McKeeva Bush thinks the country needs to take a long-term view of tourism, and should be looking to train more local people for jobs in the industry. Research shows visitors to the islands are looking to have a more authentic local experience, and are willing to pay for this if the Cayman Islands can deliver it.

He feels more Caymanians should be able to benefit from tourism, so the tourism ministry will be joining forces with the University College of the Cayman Islands to provide training at an international certification level for those interested in careers in tourism.

The aim of the school is to provide a well-trained local labour force, as this will help local people directly benefit from tourism while enhancing the cultural flavour for visitors. It's expected that the school will deliver a world-class workforce, and during the first phase will offer City and Guilds certification and associate degree programs.

The tourism school will form links with well-known institutions such as Cornell University and other affiliated universities. The second phase will offer further certification and degree programs which will include City and Guilds certification courses and bachelor degree programs with Cornell University and the Culinary Institute of America as well as other well-known institutions.

The school is also expected to eventually accept international students. Having a local workforce which has been trained to world-class standards should greatly enhance the Cayman Islands already considerable appeal.

The Attractions of the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands were first discovered by Columbus in 1503, but were later traded to England and are still a British colony; as such the islands speak English, have a Parliamentary type government, and are still subject to Great Britain in matters of defence and foreign policy.

The islands are quite wealthy, as they have the highest per capita income in the Caribbean, and they have their own local currency which is the Cayman dollar which is currently pegged to the US dollar at 1.25. The Caymanians are known for their friendliness.

The Cayman Islands are also the financial capital of the Caribbean, and have more than 500 banks and financial institutions. This is probably due to the fact that there are no direct taxes, no income taxes, no capital gains tax or inheritance taxes or property tax.

Foreigners are allowed to open bank accounts and to borrow money. Anyone investing in the country, which includes buying a residence, is eligible for residency in the Caymans providing they have a clean police record. Residency allows unrestricted stays and to be taxed as a non-resident in their home country.

However residency doesn't give the right to work as this requires a work permit and these tend only to be issued if local labour isn't available.

The tourist industry here has enjoyed enviable growth, and it's not surprising as it is considered one of the world's top three scuba diving and snorkelling destinations, while deep sea fishing is also considered to be extremely good. Visitors can take a number of interesting tours through the Cayman Islands National Trust, and of course there are plenty of beaches for sunbathing.

Sal and Boa Vista Top Choices Among Overseas Property Buyers

The islands of Sal and Boa Vista are proving to be particularly popular with overseas buyers, especially Sal, as it has the reputation of being a very cosmopolitan island which is home to around 15 different nationalities. It has the advantage of having the main airport nearby, and of course the gorgeous beaches and many bars and restaurants are a huge attraction.

Sal also has a great relaxed atmosphere, and the infrastructure here is constantly being upgraded to improve utilities and roads. While some people are buying property here as an investment to rent out, others are seeing it as an attractive place for a holiday home, as it certainly a great alternative to the Canaries or other more traditional European hotspots, and is a relatively short flight away. Not surprisingly, beachfront properties are proving to be the most popular.

Cape Verde is attracting more and more attention, as a recent report from TheMoveChannel.com showed it had entered the top 10 destinations of overseas enquiries, and is now more highly rated than Barbados, Cyprus and Malta.

Although this may come as a surprise to many people, those who have visited the archipelago will find it easy to see why, as it still represents excellent value, has reliable weather and its rapidly improving infrastructure can easily support substantial increases in tourism numbers.

During the first six months of the year Cape Verde received 219,000 tourists, which is an increase of 47,000 tourists and growth of 27.5% compared to the same period in 2010. Most of these tourists came from the UK, but the archipelago is also popular with visitors from France, Italy, Germany and Portugal.

Altinkum Is a Resort with Golden Sands

Altinkum is a relatively small resort on the Aegean coast, and is in the centre of Didim. Its name means golden sands, and it certainly lives up to it, with three gorgeous sandy beaches to choose from.

The resort is popular with families, as the seas here are quite shallow. It is easy to see why this resort is becoming more and more popular with second home buyers and investors, as it has a very wide appeal.

During the day it is very much a family oriented resort, and is perfect for those looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday, but in the evening the place comes to life, as there are a number of bars which have live music and nightclubs.

The resort also has a considerable number of restaurants, and the wide choice of menus means that even the pickiest of eaters will find something to satisfy them. The Turkish people here are very friendly, and most speak fluent English.

One of the nicest things to do whilst staying here is to take a boat trip, as there are lots of beautiful bays and islands surrounding the resort. These trips can be as active or relaxing as you choose, as most will stop at regular intervals to allow you to swim in the cooling waters of the Aegean.

Those people who love to spend at least part of their holidays visiting ancient sites will be in heaven here, as there are a number of important sites close to Altinkum, with the most famous being the Temple of Apollo.

European Buyers Snapping Up Property in Cape Verde

According to local property experts, increasing numbers of European buyers are purchasing homes in this tiny archipelago, especially in the resorts of Sal and Boa Vista. At the moment there is the opportunity to pick up a bargain as there is a choice of distressed sales available due to the global economic downturn.

However potential buyers are advised to pick their property carefully, with the most desirable homes being those which are nearest to the sea. Property investors are also advised to ask for a complete breakdown of all maintenance charges, especially if they are buying a property in a managed development.

Buying in a managed development is certainly a desirable option, as it does offer a relatively hassle free investment as all the trouble of renting out the property is taken care of.

The archipelago is growing in popularity due to its close proximity to Europe, and the good availability of flights. Its excellent year round climate and cheap property makes it a viable choice for a second home or investment, and it is often compared to the Canaries, even though it is somewhat more exotic.

Sal is one of the most developed resorts in Cape Verde, and has long stretches of white sand and is a watersport lover’s dream. Boa Vista also has some stunning beaches, and is renowned for its marine life. It is a little lower key than Sal, and if you travel here between December and February you may even be lucky enough to spot humpbacked whales.