A new stage opens for Alcaidesa Golf Links Resort and for you. Tell us about your professional career.
Well, that is not quite right. I am a lawyer and I have developed my career in the legal profession. I have worked in my own business, in business consulting and in all kinds of civil, state, administration and judiciary lawsuits. I have sometimes combined my professional career with work in other companies and thus, I worked as Managing Director of the Legal Department at Alcaidesa in 2005. So, I am not new in Alcaidesa.
I have started cooperating with the Millenium Group this year, helping them to buy the plots in Alcaidesa and developing the hotel project which finally led to purchasing Alcaidesa Group. It is now that a new exciting stage starts for me as I have taken the responsibility of being General Managing Director of the Millenium Group. I will be in charge of the quality standards of the golf courses and of the golf club in the new hotel complex.
The Millenium Group has bought the two golf courses and the club house at Alcaidesa Golf and now they are the new owner. Will there be a change of course regarding commercialization and strategic lines?
The Millenium Group aims to position Alcaidesa where it deserves and in line with a high level five-star luxury hotel. Thus, the group is determined to invest in Alcaidesa, to improve quality standards and support its team by providing all necessary help and resources needed to achieve this objective.
Obviously, when a new owner starts managing a company it is all about adapting the organization to the mission and vision established by the new management. In this case, predictably, we aim to achieve the best standards according to the usual development of the Millenium Group.
What future plans does the group have for golf?
The Alcaidesa Group led by its Manager, Juan Pablo Arriaga, has been developing excellent work promoting Alcaidesa throughout Europe. Thus, this Golf Resort is acknowledged internationally and has been chosen as the seventh best Golf Resort in Spain recently.
Nevertheless, the plans of the new owners aim to improve quality and service standards at the complex and thus, this will mean the need for investment and improvement of golf course maintenance as well as introducing a customer-centered policy that guarantees a unique golf, relaxation and gastronomic experience at Alcaidesa.
According to recent news, Group Millenium’s key project is building the first five-star hotel in the region of Gibraltar. What stage are the works on now?
At present, the design projects have been handed in the San Roque City Hall. We are waiting to carry out the necessary procedures to get a construction permit. As soon as we have this, we will start the construction works.
Where will the hotel be located exactly?
The hotel will be located in a plot right by the golf course and inside the Alcaidesa complex with sea views, overlooking the Gibraltar Rock and Africa. As the plot is located on uneven grounds and on high slopes, the hotel will enjoy spectacular views. It will have a careful design and garden landscaping in order to reduce visual impact and thus, integrate the hotel in its natural environment.
Regarding range of hotels, the Millenium Group usually buys assets in the market for luxury products. As we mentioned, the hotel will be the first five-star hotel in the area. Will this mean that the hotel is to be operated by an important international hotel brand?
Absolutely. This will be a five-star hotel operated by a top hotel brand. I appreciate the fact that the Millenium Group has considered this area to build the first beach hotel of the group. This project will start from scratch and this is not common as the Group usually transforms a state asset.
Javier Jiménez-CasquetWhat kind of customer is it orientated to? Is it orientated to the luxury market?
It aims to include all kinds of customers. In fact, the complex will have a hotel, villas for individual use and hotel services for groups and families. Nevertheless, it will be orientated to high purchasing power customers as we will opt for a hotel that provides luxury services.