Hotel Vila Galé Albacora

Accommodation provider which is environmentally certified (Chave Verde, TUV, etc) and promotes the nature tourism activities in Ria Formosa.

1. Hotel Vila Galé Albacora

Vila Galé Albacora is part of Vila Galé Group, a Portuguese chain of hotels comprising 23 units: 17 in Portugal and 6 in Brazil which total approximately 12.000 beds.

The idea of creating this hotel was a result of the willingness of the Municipality of Tavira in rehabilitating socially and economically an area of historical and economical significance known as Arraial Ferreira Neto (a former tuna fish facility). Vila Galé Group arose as an entrepreneur whose intention was to create in that space a sun and sea kind of resort. However, the declining of the product of sun and sea imposed the necessity of repositioning the hotel. This brand new concept was created around four strategic priorities: promotion of cultural heritage, recreation of the past, health and well-being, and Nature Tourism.

Among these top priorities, Tourism of Nature was considered the most important one given the localization of the resort, inside the Natural Park of Ria Formosa. Moreover, it was the basic strategic concept for product innovation in this hotel. So the idea was to transform Vila Galé Albacora into a sustainable hotel, dedicated to activities associated with Nature. Moreover the three dimensions of sustainability (environmental, social and cultural and economic ones) were developed and respected. The quality of management and good sustainable practices earned the hotel some certificates and awards (LiderA, ECO-HOTEL from TÜV Rheinland, Travelife, Green Key, e TUI Umwelt Champion).

This hotel is a case study because its uniqueness consisted not only in a simple product innovation, but also in an institutional innovation. Additionally is an impressive best practice about the three dimensions of sustainability.

As stated by its director: “The sustainability of our project is to obtain through good practices at both social and environmental level, the best results possible in economic terms”.

Visit the official website: http://www.vilagale.pt/pages/hoteis/?hotel=4

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Postal Address	Quatro Águas 8800-901 Tavira
Phone Number	281 380 800
Webpage	http://www.vilagale.pt/
Released	15/11/2012
Country	Portugal
Organization Type	Businesses
Topics	Human Rights & Labour Rights
Operational level	Local