Augusto Vasconcelos
Canip Oezkul
Carlos Leal
Managing director of United Investments Portugal
Among other positions he holds, Carlos Leal is managing director of United Investments Portugal (UIP), totalling more than 30 years of experience in investment, development and asset management in the tourism and leisure industry. He spent his childhood and youth in South Africa, where he held management and administration positions in important business groups. During Carlos Leal’s 11 years at the helm, UIP has enjoyed numerous successes, such as important partnerships, the acquisition of the Sheraton Cascais Resort and defining new trends in the sector.
What benefits does our country offer for investing in luxury real estate?
There are countless benefits: from security (not only public, but also investment, as we have one of the most advanced European legislations in the tax protection of investors), which is an extremely important factor, to location, the hospitality of the Portuguese people, history, culture, health and education systems or the climate. It is the sum of these and many other factors and points that makes Portugal an attractive country for investors.
How has United Investments Portugal, of which Pine Cliffs Resort, in the Algarve, and Sheraton Cascais Resort are part, taken advantage of the market’s momentum?
From the point of view of real estate tourism, we have always tried to reduce the influence of external factors, such as market volatility. Fortunately, in recent years, with the recovery of the real estate market, the tourism boom in Portugal and our experience of more than two decades, we have managed to achieve amazing results.
«After the Algarve and Cascais, Lisbon and Oporto are set to receive the UIP treatment»
As the company’s managing director, what are the greatest challenges you face?
The challenges have been constant, but I would say the greatest ones have to do with the lack of qualified human resources and the importance of keeping an eye on market trends. With respect to the Algarve region, there is also the challenge related to the issue of seasonality and the lack of flights in the winter.
What differences are there between the Algarve and Cascais markets?
Cascais is a tourist destination of excellence, just 30 minutes from the Portuguese capital and 2 km from Praia do Guincho beach. The location and the surroundings of Sheraton Cascais Resort ensure both proximity to business centres and tranquillity. In the Algarve the type of tourism is predominantly leisure focused and Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, works a lot with the foreign market, and is one of the most awarded and famous resorts in Europe.
What is the company’s expansion strategy for the coming years?
Assessing the future without ever neglecting the past. After the Algarve and Cascais, Lisbon and Oporto are set to receive the UIP treatment. The capital will welcome a new five-star superior Hotel & Spa. For Oporto we are going to bring an innovative concept. We are thus maintaining the high-end investment we have been undertaking for more than 20 years in Portugal. At the same time we are continuing to develop our internationalisation strategy, as well as our YOTEL hotel brand.
