Snow News Is Good News 20/03/2008
It has been a great season for British skiers for that most obvious of reasons: both North America and the Alps have had great snow. The industry has also been helped by new destinations, such as Finland, Slovenia and Serbia. And it is not over - in the Rockies and the Alps, the snow base is ensuring one of the later seasons in recent history. A combination of superb conditions and tour operators working harder than ever to sell new resorts has offset a certain caution in people's spending habits. Crystal's annual research report on the British ski market doesn't come out until summer; meanwhile, the evidence suggests that there has been a small increase in the numbers of skiers in the traditional countries - France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria - but the main growth is... more

Seaside Capital Varna Presents The Most Expensive Yachts 06/06/2008
The biggest yacht exposition on water in Bulgaria - 'Bulgaria Boat Show', will be opened tonight in the sea capital Varna. The expo will continue 3 days and there will be presented over 50 new models yachts, 20 of which will be on water, and the rest can be seen on the6 ground. The expensive vessels will be spread over surface of 2,000 square meters. 'Bulgaria Boat Show'2008 will show more Azimut yachts than every other European exposition. The Itama 40 Yacht will make in Bulgaria its European premier.  The yachts Azimut 68S, Atlantis 50, Ferretti 830 and 460, Azimut 105 will sail in the Black Sea for the first time during the exposition. Absolutely new for the audience will be also the luxurious Italian yachts- Atlantica 78, Azzurra 63 and One 43. The visitors of... more

Economic Problems Offer Opportunities To Investors 09/04/2008
Overseas property investors could be able to take advantage of the current problems in the global economy, according to experts. Currency specialist HiFX stated that the credit crunch and the resulting economic slowdown has led to some prospective investors"getting the jitters". However, the organisation said the financial problems across the world are also having a negative effect on property sellers. Therefore, people could be able to persuade estate agents who desperately need to meet their sales quotas to offer them a good deal. Mark Bodega, director at HiFX, commented: "Buyers should remember that a drop in demand will mean vendors are also feeling the pinch." However, he recommended that investors get a forward contract to fix the exchange rate during the transaction.... more

The Directorate For National Construction Supervision Examined 9 919 Sites In 2007 14/03/2008
The Directorate for National Construction Supervision (DNCS) checked 9 919 building sites in 2007, examining the legitimacy of ongoing works, the availability of building permits as well as construction and habitation certificates, according to the DNCS’s annual report, cited by investor.bg. The Directorate issued a total of 2 472 acts, certifying contraventions of the Spatial Development Act. Subsequent legal proceedings have already been launched, the report said. The total number of complaints and alerts, submitted to DNCS last year, totalled 75 052, 18 083 of which were submitted with the central department and 56 969 with the regional arms. The report says that 114 administrative legal proceedings against 76 chief architects and other municipal authorities have started - in... more

Strong Property Market Freezes Interest Rates 19/03/2008
As has been widely anticipated in the last few days, the Bank of England has decided to keep interest rates at 4.5 per cent, with the strength of the property market a key reason behind the decision. After the interest rate cut in August 2005, the property market almost immediately showed signs of recovery and confidence has been steadily rising ever since. While first time buyers had previously been reluctant to commit to any property purchases, Yorkshire Bank found this week that they are now willing to overpay to ensure they secure a place on the property ladder. It seems that while those in the property investment business will be generally satisfied with the decision to freeze rates, manufacturers will be less pleased. Recent figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC)... more