Located on the beautiful Atlantic coast in north east Brazil lies the popular tourist resort of Fortaleza. Characterised by its stunning scenery and incredible beaches, this popular resort is popular with both Brazilian and non-resident tourists alike. Laid back during the day, yet vibrant and atmospheric during the evening, Fortaleza has quickly become one of Brazil’s most popular property investment destinations.

The capital of the Ceara region, Fortaleza is one of modern day Brazil’s most wealthy cities, as increasing amounts of federal investment have been directed into the region on the back of its highly successful tourist, service and agricultural industries. Today, Fortaleza generates approximately 40% of the overall output of the entire Ceara region, and given the predicted growth estimates (especially in tourism), this trend shows no signs of slowing.

In order to fully understand the full investment appeal of the Fortaleza region, once must first place this in the context of investing in Brazil as a whole. Widely acknowledged as being one of the world’s genuine emerging property markets, Brazil has found itself increasingly at the forefront of debate amongst the more adventurous property investors.

So why are so many investors so keen to purchase property in Brazil?

To first consider the fiscal argument, Brazil offers a series of sound economic fundamentals. Home to the worlds tenth largest economy (ahead of the likes of India and Russia), and a part of BRIC, Brazil will be home to one of the worlds five leading economies by the year 2050. Key to this huge potential growth is the abundance of natural resources which are in Brazil, including large reserves of oil and ethanol. It is estimated the reserves of oil in Brazil are, at 40-50 billion barrels, at least comparable with those in Saudi Arabia. This unique position (considerable natural resources) has typically resulted in Brazil being less reliant on imported goods, and as such has offered the country a degree of insulation against adverse global conditions.

As well as the economics, it is easy to see why so many people are choosing to visit and buy property in Brazil. Stunning natural scenery, including thousands of miles of beautiful coastline and some of the worlds most pristine rainforest offer Brazil the potential for one of the world’s most successful tourism industries. As yet unfulfilled, the market for tourism is still expanding at a considerable rate, and it is estimated that visitor levels to Fortaleza in particular will increase by over 25% in 2008.

Understandably, this growth in tourism in the region has resulted in a huge increase in the demand for short term rental property in Fortaleza, and whilst developers are bringing new projects online, there is still a considerable shortage in this region. Today, a number of high quality property developments are underway in the region, focusing around the more popular regions of Porto Das Canas, Cumbuco and Canao Quebrada.

In summary, Fortaleza offers a sound overall package for the international property investor, and there are a number of high quality property developments in the region which have the opportunity to provide considerable returns in the years to come.