Andorra Joins The Top European Ski Set
Next time you book a ski holiday, will Andorra be one of the countries you will consider?
Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com
If you're used to the sophistication and first class facilities of villages like Chamonix in France, or flying off to Switzerland, Andorra might seem like a poor cousin in comparison.
Part of that reputation is based on the past, when Andorra was undoubtedly the number one budget destination, before Bulgaria came on the scene, but today it's no longer true.
Take for example Soldeu, Andorra's best known ski holiday village. Once the home of cheap package holidays it is now among the best resorts in Europe. And the hotels in Andorra can compete on level terms with what the Swiss and French resorts can offer to the skiing fraternity.
One good example is the Sports Hermitage in Soldeu, described by leading Andorra travel resource yourandorra as 'The queen bee of Soldeu hotels.' It's five star with first class spa facilities, and many of the bedrooms have great views of the ski slopes - which in themselves are within a short stroll. With fine restaurants and others just as good locally, it's the ideal base for those who want the best of everything during a ski holiday.
But welcome though Andorra's investment in her infrastructure is to bring her ski resorts up to other competing countries standards, the move away from budget ski holidays to a more upmarket image couldn't have been more badly timed, given the state of the economy since the banking crisis nearly three years ago now.
Before the recession when jobs seemed plentiful, companies were profitable, and there was more money in the system - and people's bank accounts - moving upmarket seemed a logical step for Andorra, and considering so few people saw the writing on the wall, Andorra can hardly be blamed for taking steps to improve its facilities and overall image.
The number of Andorra ski holidays being taken has fallen in the last three years, before that in one year it was attracting almost as many skiers as Austria, but this winter it drew just 7% of the European market.
As well as winter sports, the country is known in financial circles as a tax haven, and the tax benefits are the same as Monaco's, but the typical price of a property is a lot less. A good four bedroom two bathroom apartment in Ordino, typically the type of Andorra property someone interested in taking residency might consider, is available for 450,000 Euros.
Compare that to Monaco where a one bedroom apartment will typically start from 1,500,000 Euros and it's easy to see why Andorra residency is an attractive option for those considering moving to a tax haven - on price taking Andorra residency is often a smart move.
With tax rates rising throughout Europe, the Andorra property market should do well in the coming years, helping the country's financial services industry as money gets transferred to their banks.
The travel industry will be hoping the skiing fraternity will be following the money trend in 2011 and 12.
About the Author
skiing holidays in Andorra information is available at yourandorra.com
Getting to Andorra normally means flying to Barcelona Airport, and the travel resource includes cheap hotel in Barcelona information.
by: Mellieha Bay
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Word Count: 530
Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2011 Time: 10:33 AM -
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