On the Algarvian side of the River Guadiana, the Quinta do Vale Golf Resort is to be developed, one of the three big tourist resorts planned for that area. With an investment of over 91 million euros, the project aims "to preserve" the richness of the landscape of which it will form a part.

Promoted by the Spanish company Golf Quinta do Vale SA and financed by Millenium BCP, the new luxury resort, which will cover an area of 100 hectares, includes a golf course, luxury villas, a touristic village, an hotel and a marina.

The presentation ceremony took place on Thursday on the lands of the resort, in a space specially created for the event, and counted on the presence of Severiano Ballasteros, one of the best European golfers, responsible for the design and construction of the golf course of Quinta do Vale.

Enjoying "a unique area of landscaping", the objective is to "maximise the potential of the natural surroundings in which it lies, preserving the environmental richness of the borough of Castro Marim". All the loteamento projects count on the signature of the renowned urban and landscape designer Sidónio Pardal, responsible for the Parque da Cidade do Porto.

"This is a project of high quality, without touching on the specifics of the territory", considered the President of the promoting company, Victor Alonso.
"We took care to incorporate the resort within the natural surroundings". The construction of 11 thousand trees characteristic of the region "safeguards the local ecosystem".

The developers have not forgotten the water resources: through the construction of various reservoirs for storing rainwater and in a pioneering agreement with the company Águas do Algarve for the recycling of residual water from the water treatment plant of Vila Real de Santo António for the purposes of irrigation.
In relation to the real estate, the 60 or so villas constitute "an harmonious complex, respecting high standards of quality. The promotor is still seeking a partner for the 125 bedroom five star hotel.
With the signature of "Seve", the 18 hole golf course (par 72) is to be developed in an area of 75 hectares and blended into the natural surrounding landscape, "using the irregular features of the land to confer to each hole a unique personality".
"It is a challenging design, in a unique natural environment - we want to make it a course of note in Portugal", confessed the Spaniard. Victor Alonso had scheduled the inauguration of the course for September next year, but Ballasteros is not so confident: "I doubt that by that date the course will be ready to be inaugurated".

The marina is the "touchstone" of the resort, using the potential of the River Guadiana, "aiming not only to attract tourists, but equally to benefit the local population", states the promotor. The company has signed a protocol with the Naval Association of the Guadiana and the Municipal Council of Castro Marim which will allow free access for teaching sailing to the youngsters of the borough.

Guadiana of gold

This is one of the three touristic projects planned for the Portuguese side of the Guadiana, in the borough of Castro Marim. According to Council chief José Estevens, that of Corte Velho is blocked, due to an unfavourable Declaration of Environmental Impact, "which is to be adjusted", and the project of d'Ouro saw its loteamento process licenced on Wednesday by the Municipal Council.
"this is the model which we intend for Castro Marim - to bet on a touristic offer of quality and diversity, contributing to the qualification of the region", emphasised Estevens.

The key-word is quality, whilst on the other side of the Guadiana the Spanish bet on quantity: opposite the Quinta do Vale, there are being constructed 25 thousand beds. "This is not what we want", stated the President of the Algarve Tourist Board, Helder Martins.

The Tourist Board chief was applauded by those present when he criticised the "fundamentalists" who treat "as a criminal a businessman who intends to build a golf course".

The presentation ceremony of the resort of Quinta do Vale featured the presence of representatives of diverse entities such as António Pina, Civil Governor of Faro, the deputies José Pereira da Costa and Jovita Ladeira and the representative of the Portuguese Investment Agency, Alexandre Soutomayor.

source: regiao sul