The Italian government, keen to develop tourism in the south of the country, is to invest six million Euros as part of a 50 million Euro construction project on Porto Violetta Marina at Brancaleone in Calabria.

Relatively undeveloped and unknown until recently, Calabria first came to the world’s attention as an emerging tourist and investment hotspot around five years ago, when the Southern Italy Cohesion Plan was first announced.

An inaccessible region for many years, it was announced only last week that Calabria’s largest airport, Lamezia Terme International, is to benefit from an additional 25 new routes and the construction of a new low cost carrier terminal.

Subsequently, airline Ryanair has announced plans to use the airport as one of its strategic hubs and has announced 27 routes to operate from the airport.

So what does this mean for investors looking for an overseas opportunity?  Andy Murphy, general manager of international sales agents All Calabria Property says: “This whole region of Italy is likely to see significant tourism development over the next five years – a forecast which has not escaped the attention of global investors.

We are already receiving a significant number of enquiries about one and two bedroom apartments and townhouses we will be bringing to market on the Porto Violetta Marina development from professional developers, investors and sailing enthusiasts”.

This new development, scheduled to be completed in 2013, is centred around the 300 berth marina which includes 7500m² of retail space, 240 luxury residential properties and a proposed 18 hole golf course. The first phase is currently under construction and is due for completion later this year.

The mayor of Brancaleone, Francesco Moio, is enthusiastic about the project, saying: “‘We have been waiting for this project for some time. Porto Violetta Marina is important not just for Brancaleone town but for our whole region. We see it bringing prosperity and work to the town for many years.”

The marina will offer investors and tourists alike an exclusive lifestyle, enjoying facilities including restaurants, bars and shopping.  There will also be a private beach and club with preferential rates offered to those who also wish to buy a berth.

Neighbouring marinas – those at Reggio Calabria and Rocella, have no berths available – an indication of the demand in this region.

Investor Paul Mullen has extensive knowledge of the opportunities available in this area for property investment.  He says:  “It’s an ideal situation.  Calabria is an emerging market but in a stable country.  Frankly it’s impossible to pump three billion Euros into an area without seeing very substantial property price growth.  It is a beautiful area and the only reason Calabria prices have not been considerably higher much earlier is due to it having been inaccessible until only recently. That is not the case now and will be less so in two years time, so I foresee prices rising sharply.  Italy is a blue chip investment destination and I believe that Calabria and Porto Violetta Marina specifically are both exciting and sound property investments.”

For more information please contact Andy Murphy tel: 0800 612 9504 or visit www.allcalabriaproperty.com.