Category:Commons-en

Vale do Lobo Algarve Founded in 1962 by Trusthouse Forte plc and Costain plc, both well-known multi-nationals, Vale do Lobo was the first development in the Algarve. At that time, the Algarve was mainly inhabited by farmers and fishermen. It was only after the establishment of Vale do Lobo, its “five star” Dona Filipa Hotel and the first golf course, that Faro International Airport was opened. Sander van Gelder, a Dutch entrepreneur, discovered Vale do Lobo during a holiday in the mid 1970s, and recognising its potential, he bought the resort and moved to Portugal in 1977. Over 30 years later, Vale do Lobo has transformed into a 450 hectare self-contained community offering endless facilities and services in a unique location. Towards the end of 2006, the resort was sold to a group of Portuguese and international investors, including the largest national bank Caixa Geral de Depósitos with successful Portuguese businessman Diogo Gaspar Ferreira takes over as the Chief Executive. The sale clearly marked the beginning of an exciting era. Under the new shareholder structure, Vale do Lobo initiated a strategic “face lift” in 2007 implementing a number of significant improvements, developments and plans for international expansion. The most significant being the initiation of a €500 million investment programme for the development of two prime areas in the resort: Oceano Clube (Vale do Lobo II) and Vale Real (Vale do Lobo III). At the beginning of 2008, Vale do Lobo initiated a strategic programme of rebranding and the resort was renamed as Vale do Lobo Algarve and integrated under the umbrella of a new brand of Vale do Lobo Resorts, the first move towards future international expansion. This also included the construction of a brand new entrance to symbolise the corporate objectives and the creation of a modern corporate identity to replace the old resort logo. Vale do Lobo Algarve is recognised as one of the foremost resorts in Europe and is today the largest luxury resort of its kind in Portugal operated by the same company. Indeed a luxury experience beyond comparison, one which has earned it world-wide recognition and a special place in the heart of countless visitors and residents.