Interview with Jordi Vilanova: “Expansion is a natural step, and Portugal is an ideal destination for the thriving hotel industry”

Source: Jornal das Comunidades Lusófonas

Jornal Comunidades Lusófonas interviewed the President of Mercan Properties in Portugal, who outlined the company’s investment in Portugal. He highlights the Portuguese market’s potential for foreign investment, in this case, Canadian investment.

Mercan was one of the first companies in Canada to participate in the Canadian Immigrant Investor Program. Founded in 1989 by Jerry Morgan, a pioneer in the investment migration sector, Mercan has established itself as a global leader in consulting, education, and immigration services over the past few decades, with a presence in over 30 countries, including offices in Canada, Vietnam, China, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, and Greece.

Why Portugal?

At the time, “we were already a recognized leader in investment immigration, with a strong presence in North America,” explains the President of Mercan Properties. Expansion seemed a natural step, and Europe presented great opportunities. “When Jerry and I began analyzing the European landscape to continue our growth, we identified Portugal as the ideal destination for its thriving hotel industry, high quality of life, and attractive investment conditions.
In 2015, Jerry Morgan and I arrived in Portugal and founded Mercan Properties. Initially, we entered the market by renovating properties, transforming them into hospitality projects, a natural progression aligned with the country’s potential and Mercan’s long-term vision,” he explains.

From the outset, they were fortunate to have the trust of investors, whose belief and vision made this expansion possible. Their continued support has been crucial to their growth, enabling them to develop projects that create long-term value and a tangible impact for both investors and local communities. The company quickly became a leader in investment migration opportunities through the Golden Visa program, focusing primarily on hospitality projects.

Mercan Properties’ Evolution in Portugal

Mercan Properties began operating in Portugal exactly ten years ago. In 2015, “our journey began with the opening of our first hotel, Casa da Companhia, Vignette Collection by IHG, in Porto. Today, a decade later, our growth is undeniable. From one hotel, we have expanded to sixteen, including the expansion of the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel,” explains Jordi Vilanova.

They started in Porto and gradually expanded throughout the country. Today, they have hotels in almost every region: in addition to Porto and Gaia, they are present in Lisbon, Évora, Beja, the Alentejo Coast, and the Algarve. This represents an investment of over 1.2 billion euros, “backed by the trust of more than 4,100 investors, and has resulted in the creation of more than 900 direct and indirect jobs.”

Mercan Properties is the only integrated solutions provider that oversees all stages of project development, from investment to construction to management. Success is driven by a team of highly qualified professionals, including engineers, consultants, and legal and financial experts, who ensure that each project meets the highest standards of quality and performance.

Coupled with the most prestigious partnerships with international hotel brands such as Hilton, Marriott, Wyndham, IHG, Accor, and Hard Rock, this approach provides confidence and consistency to its investors and guests. The diversity of its portfolio makes it the only multi-brand hotel developer in the Portuguese market.

Considering these achievements over the past ten years and the dedication of “our team of top professionals and trusted partners, we look forward to the next decade, during which we intend to continue growing and witness the opening of the first Hard Rock Hotel in Portugal, in Portimão,” states the president.

The Moxy Alfragide Lisboa is Mercan Properties’ most recent opening, a 218-room hotel that represents an important milestone for Mercan Properties, being the first hotel opened in the Lisbon region. It represents an investment of 63 million euros, made possible by the trust of 180 international investors. During the development process, they created approximately 400 jobs, 80 of which remain active.

They are convinced that these numbers represent much more than statistics. They reflect a positive impact and added value for Amadora, creating new opportunities for young people, families, and the local community, who directly benefit from this new development.

The choice of Alfragide, in Amadora, was motivated by its privileged location and growth potential. In just ten minutes, you can reach downtown Amadora, downtown Lisbon, or the Tagus riverside area. The area is rapidly evolving, becoming one of the capital’s most dynamic business hubs, supported by modern and innovative infrastructure.

Furthermore, Marriott’s involvement was essential to the success of this project. Having a brand of this size, prestige, and international recognition “place its trust in our project is a sign of credibility and added value,” the president states. This partnership plays a decisive role in the positioning of the hotel and the surrounding area, reinforcing Amadora’s attractiveness for both business clients and international visitors.

Plans of the Future

Mercan Properties is committed to making a real impact on the Portuguese hotel sector and the country’s economy. According to an EY report commissioned by Mercan in 2023, titled “Employment Impact Assessment Study of Mercan’s Investment Projects in Portugal,” “our hotel developments are expected to generate nearly 10,000 jobs per year during the development phase and approximately 2,500 jobs once operational.”

Upcoming projects include new developments in Porto, Lisbon, Madeira, and the Algarve. This geographic diversity reinforces Mercan Properties’ national presence and its ongoing commitment to investors and guests, solidifying the company’s position in Portugal. At the same time, they continue to believe in and invest in regions of the country with lower population density but extraordinary hotel potential. Its projects in Amarante, with Casa das Lérias, and in Praia Santo André, with the A-Mar-Ello Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, are good examples of how “we combine strategic vision with regional development, bringing new opportunities to beautiful and culturally rich areas of Portugal,” adds Jordi Vilanova.

For Mercan Properties, leaving a mark means creating positive and lasting contributions in all the regions where they operate. They aim for their projects to represent urban, architectural, and design value, as well as generate economic impact through job creation and local development. Long-term, the goal is to be recognized as a driver of positive transformation, combining social, economic, and environmental value with a sustainable and forward-looking urban vision. Beyond hospitality, they remain dedicated to strengthening institutional and community partnerships, developing local talent, and promoting Portugal as a premium tourist destination. For Jordi Vilanova, “we see ourselves as a strategic partner in the growth of national tourism and in positioning Portugal as a global benchmark in this sector.”

Portugal’s Position in International Markets

Portugal has built a strong international reputation, driven by the quality of its hospitality, safety, and lifestyle. The country continues to attract investors and visitors who value authenticity and long-term stability. There is still room for growth, particularly through innovation and sustainable development, but “Portugal is clearly on the right track to consolidate its position as one of Europe’s top destinations,” concludes Jordi Vilanova, President of Mercan Properties.