St Vincent

St. Vincent and the Grenadines are located in the south Eastern Caribbean about 90 miles west of Barbados. The Grenadines are some 32 islands and cays stretching south from St. Vincent. Only 8 of the Grenadines are populated and 4 of these have small Airports: Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union. The remainder are bird sanctuaries and havens for hikers and snorklers. All are volcanic in origin, deeply embayed with inlets where clear aquamarine waters shallow up on fine white sand beaches. The larger islands include Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Palm, Petit St. Vincent, Mayreau and Union. There are some uninhabited islets and rocks including the famous Tabago Cays. All the Grenandines have lovely soft white coral sand beaches and clear water, ideal for snorkelling, diving and sailing. Although a visit to these islands may at times seem like a step into the past, there is a measure of one's pleasure that has little to do with clocks. Where warm breezes blow.

The country gained independence from Britain on October 27, 1979, instituted a Parliamentary Democracy on the Westminister model, and has remained a part of the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state and is represented by the Governor General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne. The Prime Minister is Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, whose party, the Unity Labour Party, was elected to office in March 2001. The legal system is based on English common law.

The entire Caribbean region is synonymous in most people's minds with pure white sandy beaches, incredibly friendly local people, plenty of sunshine and a laid back pace of life. St Vincent is no acceptation. And while some countries are more typical of this vision than others, the entire Caribbean region is intensely popular with tourists, second homers and retirees. A property investor merely has to target his Caribbean investment based upon his budget!

As the space on which developers can build tourism facilities and residential property is physically restricted on an island and in a small country, so the potential for a growth in the supply of property is severely restricted - especially in the most desirable areas of the most popular countries.

At the same time the appeal of the majority of Caribbean islands and countries is growing annually with more affordable airfares opening up destinations to more people and more people benefiting from an increase in personal prosperity and purchasing power in many countries worldwide - so the demand for accommodation, second homes and retirement homes in the Caribbean region is intensifying.

Demand is already outstripping supply in many Caribbean countries and this situation will only naturally intensify which naturally creates unstoppable property price inflation!