Dee Dee are you a Miss as you replied "obrigada"? If so apologies for calling you mate! This is a great debate. Firtly, you don't wnant to worry about the near misses...it's the head ons that do damage!
But, I really do think it is wishful thinking on your part, particularly from the UK. I personally beleive (as you have guessed) that the increase in traffic is due to the low cost airlines in Brazil, TAM, Gol and there's another one now. The fact is that Natal's tourism in Dec06- March 07 was well down on the previous year. Part of this was because the scared off those there for "sex tourism" and there was a big campaign going on. Wisely, they want to build real tourism there, so there is no gain without pain. But, there aren't the airlines out there to fill the void, certainly not at present and this is my whole point. Scheduled carriers will not switch into Natal in my view for the reason well detailed above. Virgin might do one flight a week, big deal 400 people max. Someone someone is talking about the A380, this is also wishful thinking. My mate sells them their wings and Airbus have major issues with the A380 and huge delays. Not only that but he tells me it will only ever be used on major transit routes and I regret that Natal is not nor ever will be one of these. As for a long term "emerging market" yes of course you are right, but again this is my point. In my view, this market is not going to move up in price and there are many limiting factors as to why, also detailed above. This is why I say that the prices being requested at present are madness and in particular compared to the local economy and local property prices. I think that "rental guarantees" are built into sales/marketing budgets and bear no relation to actual likely tourist influx. I looked a a place (Quality Inn) on the front at Ponta Negra and it worked out that the management charge was more expensive or the same as staying in a small hotel or renting another apartment. So, everyone is basing their projections on capital growth of the asset and my whole point is that there isn't going to be any, for at least 7/10 years. So, in the meantime, you pay a management fee for the interim period which would be greater than just renting or going to an all inclusive hotel. If a buyer has €1/200k to throw at a speculative investment and beleives the hype, fine its their money. But, I have done extensive research and my speciality is "export market research" and "dealing with airlines/duty free business" and my gut feel tells me that it is mostly hype and wishful thinking. You pays your money.........sorry about my spelling I am not that illiterate!