Marsa Alam

Originally Posted by propertastic

If anything, I think that the gloom and doom and recession will actually help Egypt as a tourist destination.

Why? Egypt is cheap. Having been living here for six months and being used to Egyptian prices, I was nearly crying every time I had to get my wallet out on a recent trip to Barcelona and Ibiza! For anyone paying in GBP, anywhere in the Eurozone is now an expensive place to go on holiday.

So flights might be more expensive, but when you look at the cost of flights versus the entire cost of a holiday - including all of your spending money - it is still going to be a lot cheaper to spend a week in Egypt than somewhere on the Med.

Where else can you go for winter sun from the UK? The Canaries are expensive as they are in the Eurozone.

I think that the areas that are really going to suffer most from the problems that the airline industry is having is any of the long-haul destinations. I think that those who have bought in places like the Carribean or SE Asia have a lot more to worry about than those buying in Egypt as this is where flights are going to get really expensive.

Totally agree with you Nick. So long as you don't stay at the hotels in El Gouna as they're charging prices very close to UK/Europe

[Cliff277]

Hi Liz
Glad you have decided to stay in I think that it will not only be great for our own use but a good investment.
At the moment there are very few direct flights to Marsa Alam, the airport there is quite new and small but they are already extending it and I think as the area becomes more popular there will be more direct flights.
If you send me a private message with your e-mail address I will send you a PDF copy of the investment guide that Ted got so excited about.
Cliff277

[hummingbird]

Originally Posted by Liz

Hello, I'm Liz. Have put a deposit on a one bedder at MABR. Having just watched a TV programme about the dire state of the airline industry and the fact that they are ceasing to run many flights around the world has given me great cause for concern. Is anyone else worried. I am contemplating pulling out as I have no rental guarantee to fall back on and wonder if there will be many holiday makers at all now that the age of cheap flights is over.
I'd love to hear from anyone with any advice. Apart from Thomson and Thomas Cook (I think) I am not sure how many airlines fly to Marsa Alam. But these could all be cut at any time. Hope to hear from someone before I pull out.
Liz

Hi Liz

Yes we watched same report but feel that although it may be difficult to go direct we have found flights to european countries ,Germany, italy, then a connecting flight to Hurghada as there are more flights out from there. So although it a longer way round it should still, be possible, and as pointed out on report you could alway take full package deal but not stay in hotel. Are you able to offer your apartment for rent to a wider scale to reduce the risk? German's, Russians and Swedish all have a large amount of holiday makers in Eygpt. Hope this helps you a little All this will calm down in time and people will still want to go were there is assured sunshine especially if our summers continue like this one. Plus isn't not Euro zone so the over all holiday will be cheaper for anyone going!!!!!
Good Luck with your decision try to hold in there as you may miss a good opportunity in the long run, we are in buying in Oasis Marina Hurghada so do understand concerns but things like this are just hopefully short term blips

Take care Helen & Derek

[wanderlust]

Originally Posted by Liz

Thanks for your emails everyone. I've decided to stay in. It's my dream to own an apartment with a sea view and I shouldn't let the credit crunch get to me. As most of you will know Marsa Alam Beach Resort will be sold as holiday packages in many countries. Hopefully I will get some money back on the project through the rentals. Hope my contract comes soon.
I'd love to see the investment guide that Marsa Alam Beach Resort buyers have received. I've asked Ted, above, but not heard from him yet. Thanks all. Liz.
P.S. Having trouble finidng out about what airliines go there other than Thomson and Thomas Cook. I found XL flights, but on one page they go there and then on the next page they don't. Am a bit confused about that one. Obviously I need to know what flights go there from all over the UK, but, personally I will be travelling from Gatwick, but more worried about that in 15 years' time when I am going there more frequently. Does anyone have the name of a web site that might answer the question? Thanks. Liz

Hi Liz
Sorry its taken me so long to respond I have been out all day.
Glad to hear that you have decided to invest. I believe that deciding to buy anywhere has to be based on the individuals priorities and preferences, what feels right for you, therefore it is hard to advise on these things. I have bought a 1 bed in Oasis Marina Hurghada and not taken the rental gaurantee. I am buying for medium to long term investment ,family use and the occasional rental to friends. However I realise circumstances change and I may have to rent out more than anticipated so these were taken into consideration when deciding when/where to buy in Oasis Marina.
I have seen a lot of apartments for rent on the internet, advertised independantly or through agents/companies, therefore I could do this if I wanted to.
Flights are avalable to Marsa and Hurghada , If you have concerns re the reduction of flights to Marsa you could always fly to Hurghada and get a taxi (I am sure you could source a local company similar to one working out of Hurghada that you could pay in advance for travel)
I agree with others that we need to think wider re rental etc as there a lot of Eastern Europeans that visit/holiday the Red Sea (think its a bit like UK residents holidaying in Portugal/Canaries). Also maybe useful to get times/cost of flights to Luxor , think its quite cheap so could market as possible 2 centre holiday History and Beach! just a thought.
I am sure you are already aware that if theres anything you need to know there will probably be someone on this Forum that will be able to help or direct you to someone who can.
Take Care
Annette

[propertastic]

Originally Posted by SuziQ2708

Totally agree with you Nick. So long as you don't stay at the hotels in El Gouna as they're charging prices very close to UK/Europe

Yes, tell me about it.

The problem is that my girlfriend has fallen in love with El Gouna and wants us to move there.

After all of the sarcastic things I said about the place in my book, I could very well be eating humble pie when our contract is up at Hurghada Marina on 1 November.

[Liz]

Dear Marsa Alam Beach Resort investors.
I asked Sue Lovett some questions, here are here answers. If this is on the wrong page can someone move it for me. Thanks.

Is the launderette facility on site one that guests use themselves, or one where you have to hand over your laundry for someone else to do? People seem to prefer to pay for machines and do it themselves.

This has not been decided as yet.



What other IPI complexes can owners use?

The Zafarana Beach Resort and any future IPI developments



What countries will the apartments be marketed at?

European, but mainly Dutch, German, Italian and British



Can I fit a washing machine into the bathroom in my one bedroom apartment?

If it is not being used in the rental pool then this would be an option



Is there enough room? Am I allowed to do this whilst you are renting the property out for me?

As above, if the apartment is being rented out then no modifications are allowed as all apartments must be homogenous



I noticed that the furniture pack consists of a 2-seater sofa.

Is this a sofa bed? If not, could it be a sofa bed? If not, it means that I cannot holiday there with friends.

No it is not a sofa bed and as before all apartments must be homogenous so there is not an option for this to be a sofa bed. As with all hotels, if you required additional bedding then this could be provided by the hotel for you.

[Liz]

Re Marsa ALAM BEACH RESORT
I just heard back from Sue again. If anyone requires an extra bed in the one bedroom apartments, it will be made available. Just like in other hotels. That's great news!

[Jeremy Sturgess]

Originally Posted by propertastic

Yes, tell me about it.

The problem is that my girlfriend has fallen in love with El Gouna and wants us to move there.

After all of the sarcastic things I said about the place in my book, I could very well be eating humble pie when our contract is up at Hurghada Marina on 1 November.

I'm sure we will forgive you - particularly as your girlfriend clearly has good taste..

[Georgina]

Originally Posted by propertastic

After all of the sarcastic things I said about the place in my book, I could very well be eating humble pie when our contract is up at Hurghada Marina on 1 November.

What sarcastic things did you write about El Gouna?

If you are going to rent be careful which area because some of my friends are having major issues with the sand coming off the construction sites if they are downwind.

Have you bought in Egypt?

Sorry, back to Marsa Alam...........................

[Cliff277]

Hi everyone
I have just received an e-mail from Sue Lovett saying that the new bi-lingual agreement has been posted to me today.
Sue also said that the first newsletter for MABR is almost complete and will be out soon and that it is very informative of what is happening.

Cliff