How Mercan Properties Is Helping Transform Local Regions in Portugal

Source: The Portugal News

Over the past decade, Mercan Properties has become one of the most active international investors in high-quality hospitality projects in Portugal.

Mercan Properties is also the only multibrand hotel developer in the country, having opened projects with some of the world’s most recognized hospitality brands, including Hilton, Marriott, IHG and Wyndham. Behind the hotel openings, awards and recognitions, there is a quieter but equally important story: the impact these developments are having on the local regions where they are built.

From coastal towns to less populated regions that traditionally sit outside the main tourism map, Mercan Properties projects are contributing to economic activity, job creation, and giving local communities a stronger sense of long-term confidence.

Taking Investment Beyond the Usual Map

Portugal’s success as a tourism destination has often been concentrated in a few well-known hotspots: Porto, Lisbon, the Algarve and Madeira, to name a few. And, although Mercan Properties currently has developments in the first three locations and has a project under development in Madeira, the company’s strategy has reached beyond these famous regions and has extended to places that traditionally receive fewer visitors or less international attention.

By developing high-quality hospitality projects in locations such as the far north of Portugal, in Amarante, the Alentejo coast and emerging urban areas, Alfragide, Mercan Properties supports a more balanced form of growth.

These projects help put lesser-known areas on the map for international travelers by creating quality accommodation, which is essential for attracting tour operators and airlines, and encourage complementary private investment in restaurants, retail, services and local experiences.

This regional diversification helps avoid over-concentration in already saturated areas while giving smaller cities and towns a chance to reposition themselves as attractive destinations while also bringing new life and boosting their economies.

Sustainable Development and Long-Term Regional Commitment

As Mercan Properties expands its presence in Portugal, the company is placing a stronger emphasis on ensuring that its projects generate long-lasting value for the regions where they are built. Beyond the immediate effects of employment and local supply-chain activity, this approach reflects a broader commitment to sustainable development. Investing in less populated areas supports balanced territorial growth, helps counter demographic decline and contributes to the revitalization of municipalities that, often for historical reasons, have faced limited economic activity.

This focus aligns naturally with the principles of ESG-driven development. Strengthening regional economies, creating pathways for local talent and anchoring investment in real communities are all core elements of responsible and socially focused growth. Looking ahead, Mercan Properties is reinforcing this direction by integrating more sustainable practices and prioritizing long-term operational efficiency. The goal is to ensure that each development leaves a positive and measurable footprint.

A Decade of Impact: What Comes Next

In just ten years, Mercan Properties has grown from a single hotel and a handful of investors into one of the most influential players shaping Portugal’s hospitality landscape, supported by more than 4,000 investors and a portfolio of hotels that continues to expand across the country. As it enters its next decade, the company is preparing for an even more ambitious chapter. Mercan is expanding into new regions, advancing sustainable practices, strengthening strategic collaborations, and pursuing its goal of reaching 30 hotels by 2030.

With a proven track record, a robust pipeline of future developments, and partnerships with some of the world’s most respected international hotel brands, Mercan Properties stands today as a trusted, well-established, and highly regarded partner for those seeking secure opportunities in high-quality hospitality projects. Its developments contribute significantly to Portugal’s evolving landscape and generate meaningful economic impact in the regions where they operate, reinforcing Mercan’s position as a leader in investment, high-quality hospitality development, and long-term value creation.