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The event marked the beginning of a partnership for other projects between the Portuguese investment group Imocom and the Hilton International Corporation.
Speaking on Friday, the two companies announced their plans to expand the partnership agreement they have signed for the Hilton Vilamoura and confirmed their intention of opening a Hilton branded hotel in Lisbon “as soon as possible”.
Alexandro Martins, president of Imocom, said that the two companies have several projects underway and that about 60 per cent of the 12,000 new beds planned until 2017 will be created in Portugal. The remainder are related to expansion plans in Africa, Brazil and Argentina.
Wolfgang Newman, vice-president of Hilton for the European and African markets, considered the opening of the five star Hilton in Vilamoura as “a very important moment for the group” because it represents the entrance of the Hilton brand in the Portuguese Market.
“Portugal is a strategic and key market for us,” he said, regretting the fact the group took so much time to get in.
The next big opening with a Hilton Corporation brand will also be in the Algarve, in about 18 months, with the Hilton Conrad Palácio de Valverde, in Quinta do Lago, which is already under construction.
There are only 16 six star hotels in the world and they are located in the Maldives, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bali and Bahamas. “The six stars is a new concept of branded hotels that is very themed and personalised”, said Newman, who wants the new Hilton Conrad in Quinta do Lago to list among the best.
Alexandro Martins also announced that the group is expanding into South America and that the strategy includes the Hilton Corporation as its preferred partner. “After one-and-a-half years negotiating, we can finally announce the construction of a new five star hotel in Patagonia, in Argentina, the best ski destination in South America”, he said, adding that other projects will be made known in the next couple of months.
Minister’s visit
The official Hilton As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa opening on Saturday evening was attended by the Minister of the Economy, Manuel Pinho, Regional Tourism Board President António Pina and Loulé Câmara President Seruca Emídio, among many Portuguese celebrities.
A champagne reception with canapés was followed by a buffet dinner and guests were entertained by the acrobatics of contortionist twins.
The main event was 1970s band Boney M, which performed its greatest hits, including Daddy Cool and Rivers of Babylon, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of invited guests.
The Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa occupies a total area of 40,000sqm and represents an investment of 75 million euros. The resort includes the five star hotel, with 154 rooms, 69 apartments Imocom and other 69 apartments in the Vacation Club, a Hilton Corporation brand. There are six pools, the Paradise Island Kids Club, several bars and various conference rooms. The golf centre and the 7 Spa Vilamoura complement the other facilities. source: Algarve Resident |
