| a poor European country with no real economy, | | | | wealthy who might now consider Andorra as a viable |
| Andorra has been transformed in the past forty | | | | tax haven. |
| years to a vibrant independent State, sought after | | | | Hotels In Barcelona |
| by the wealthy for her tax haven status, and skiers | | | | As well as being welcomed by the property business |
| for her ski runs that match the best in Europe for | | | | in Andorra, a new airport has been greeted |
| facilities and ski holidays infrastructure. | | | | enthusiastically by the skiing industry. |
| The one drawback that Andorra has had is the | | | | The country has upgraded facilities in recent years, |
| distance from a major airport, two and a half hours | | | | and often competes as a top ski destination in |
| drive to Barcelona in Spain or Toulouse in France, | | | | Europe, with well known ski companies like Crystal |
| with some ski holidays starting with a night in one of | | | | Ski operating holidays for the British market. |
| the hotels in Barcelona before setting off for | | | | In recent years the number of tourists for the |
| Andorra. | | | | Andorra ski holiday season has topped ten million |
| But that is set to change with agreement for an | | | | visitors, and the ski industry is an important part of |
| aiport to be built just fifteen minutes drive from the | | | | the country's economy, with the government |
| Spanish / Andorra border. | | | | investing in new infrastructure to help tempt visitors |
| As well as the extra ski tourists the new airport will | | | | back for skiing for repeat visits. |
| impact Andorra as a tax haven. Andorra and the | | | | But last year was the worst season for decades as |
| more famous Monaco are Europe's leading tax | | | | the snow, which normally falls from end October, |
| havens, with residents enjoying the benefit of no | | | | didn't arrive until mid March, and the first drop in the |
| income tax. Property prices in Andorra are less than a | | | | number of ski holidays in Andorra being sold by British |
| third of the price of Monaco's. | | | | and other European travel agents dropped from the |
| Commenting on the new airport, Andorra estate | | | | previous ski season for some years. |
| agents who specialise in Andorra property for sale | | | | The new airport cutting travelling time from the UK, |
| thinks that the prices of Andorra properties will rise. | | | | one of the Andorra ski holiday's main markets, could |
| 'At the moment Monaco has the advantage of being | | | | boost the occupancy levels of Andorra hotels |
| ten minutes away from an international airport by | | | | significantly. |
| helicopter, while Andorra is over two hours. With that | | | | 'When people are considering a ski holiday in Andorra', |
| advantage gone we anticipate more people | | | | comment one travel guide, 'At the moment to reach |
| considering a tax haven will consider Andorra, with a | | | | Soldeu, one of Andorra top ski villages, it's two and a |
| resulting appreciation in property prices.' | | | | half hours from Barcelona to the capital la Vella, and |
| Property in Andorra has risen an average of ten per | | | | then another twenty minutes on top of that - nearly |
| cent a year in recent years, with three streams of | | | | a three hour trip after a flight. Cutting down resort |
| buyers - the local market, buyers for ski holiday | | | | arrival time from three to one hour will be enough to |
| homes who are often on a Crystal Ski holiday and | | | | influence some people's decision on where to visit.' |
| like Andorra enough to buy a holiday home, plus | | | | Recent investment by the government has reached |
| those looking for a tax haven. | | | | several million Euros designed to keep the country in |
| The airport is to be located in Seu d'Urgell, and the | | | | line with other European winter destinations, and |
| first flights are anticipated to be in 2010 or 2011, with | | | | intended to make Andorra a natural choice for the ski |
| a runway of 4,500 feet - not long enough for some | | | | and snowboard fraternity, the addition of an airport |
| medium range aircraft, and it is likely that most | | | | close to her border could help ensure that. |
| commercial airlines using the airport will be 60 to 80 | | | | All that is needed now is a good level of snow in the |
| seaters, plus private jets much favoured by the | | | | years to come. |