Insights And Experience

The long unused movie theatre named 'Cinema Marcelo da Veiga' in São Tomé. Photo taken by AIRINC surveyor Andrew Morollo.

The Pace of Change: From Hong Kong to São Tomé 

As a resident of Hong Kong, I’m used to seeing the supremely fast-paced development of a modern city: new skyscrapers, high-speed train stations, subway lines, road tunnels, highways, stores, restaurants, and even a 55-kilometer-long bridge were built in the short time that I’ve lived there.

London at night with urban Tower Bridge at center.

England's Tenant Fees Act

Initial costs of renting in England became less expensive last month as the Tenant Fees Act came into effect. While a ban to tenant fees has been discussed for a few years, the current legislation wasn’t finalized and passed until February. Scotland banned letting fees in 2012, and Wales is expected to pass a similar ban this fall.

Rush hour at an MTR station in Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of AIRINC Surveyor Yimkwan Tsang.

Protests in Hong Kong

In the last two weeks, Hong Kong has seen some of the largest protests in its history as citizens and residents have taken to the streets to protest a proposed extradition bill. Demonstrations have been centered around Admiralty and the surrounding areas of Central and Wan Chai.

Andrew Morollo, shown above, playing an Eritrean Krar at a wedding in Asmara.

15 years of collecting data across the globe: 

Andrew Morollo, AIRINC’s most seasoned international cost-of-living surveyor, visited his 200th unique survey city in 2018. To honor this milestone, Andrew tells us about his career, and the lessons he’s learnt from 15 years of surveying, and a lifetime of travel.

Port Louis, Mauritius during survey. Photo taken by AIRINC surveyor Philli Wong.

Transportation and Expatriate life in Mauritius

Transportation in Mauritius can be challenging for new assignees. Driving is a necessary part of life here as traveling across the island for meetings and activities is common. The capital, Port Louis, is to the west, the airport is down south, the best beaches are in the north, the technology hub is in the center, and the popular residential areas and offices can be found across the Island.

 Part 3 of 3: Mobility Tax 301 [Webinar Recording] 

Income tax is often the largest cost item in an international assignment. An accurate determination of hypothetical and gross-up taxes is essential to the design of equitable expatriate compensation packages. 

AIRINC Exhibiting at FEM Americas

AIRINC will be exhibiting at the FEM Americas Global Mobility Summit this May 22-23. We look forward to the conference and hope to see you there! In a year that's already seen broad tax changes and continued BREXIT uncertainty, now is a great time to meet and discuss how to proactively stay ahead of these changes. 

Hong Kong:  5 June 2019  | |  Singapore:  13 June 2019 

You're invited!

You are invited to join AIRINC and your global mobility peers for a Breakfast Briefing discussion on: Flexibility in global mobility programs.