XL.com,  Irelands fastest growing holiday leisure airline have announced today, May 21 2007, details of their  new overseas property tourism initiative which, according to Carol Anne O Neill, Commercial Director for XL Leisure Group (Ireland) “promises to deliver great value flight to the most sought after overseas property investors destinations favoured by the Irish buyer.

Targeting destinations such as Bulgaria, Portugal, Spain, Greece and Cyprus XL.com offer weekly return flights and package holidays at low prices and hope to tap into the ever growing number of buyers going on inspection trips.  According to O Neill “The overseas property market is growing and our research has shown that an  estimated €9 billion is expected to be invested by Irish buyers abroad in the next year. XL.com intends to introduce two new destinations every year to their already expansive list to accommodate this growing market which we refer to as Property Tourism.”

We have seen an extraordinary shift in the type of Irish sun travellers since we launched and we are aware many of our flights, particularly to Portugal and Bulgaria are full with investors, lifestyle buyers and those visiting their new properties abroad”

“Investors renting to friends and family also, we believe, creates a huge captive market and we are seeing this first hand.  If you look at the history of the Costa del Sol sector where the majority of flights are booked out by Irish holiday home owners we are starting to see similar trends cropping up in Cyprus, Portugal, Greece and Bulgaria.

Flight only prices to Faro in Portugal start from as little as €169 return for one week which includes taxes, baggage up to 10 kg and free golf bags; Cyprus €199 return including taxes and baggage.   Other deals at present include Lanzorate €259 including accommodation for one week including taxes and baggage.