After approval from the National Markets and Competition Commission, CNMC, the new owners of Marina d’Or are already shaping the plan. The project aims to revive the resort with a clear road map that renews facilities and boosts the complex, drawing on the proven track record of the Benidorm chain and the Fuertes Group (ElPozo) to implement the renewal in phases over the next two years.
Thus, Marina d’Or’s buyers anticipate a smooth path toward the finalization of the purchase in the last days of October or the first days of November, at which point effective control will transfer from the seller to the fund previously led by Jesús Ger, the founder and organizer, and now managed by Farallon Capital Management.
From that moment, the primary objective is to begin with the first phase that repositions the asset and makes it more attractive to an international audience, with the goal of reopening in time for the upcoming summer season to capitalize on peak tourism demand.
Subsequently, during the months of the low season, the remaining parts of the planned adaptation study will be executed, aligning activities with market conditions. While the new managers already have a vision for the Castellón complex, they are still refining details and validating the project to ensure the market fit for each component within Marina d’Or’s portfolio. Market trials will help determine the most suitable repositioning strategy for each establishment included in Marina d’Or.
We should not forget that the famed “resort city” includes hotels rated 5, 4, and 3 stars, along with tourist apartments, spas, amusement parks, and spaces for concerts and conferences.
Second collaboration
The Castellón complex is expected to be acquired by Magic Costa Blanca and Grupo Fuertes, sharing a 50% stake each. This marks one of the year’s major tourism sector transactions and represents the second collaboration between these two companies. Previously, they partnered to launch Magic NatureHotel beside Terra Natura in Benidorm, with support from the Murcia-based group, contributing to the activity’s resumption.
Magic Costa Blanca is linked to Garcia family leadership, bringing nearly five decades of hotel industry experience. The group currently employs around 2,000 people and manages 11,695 beds across eleven properties in Benidorm, Finestrat, l’Alfàs del Pi, Vila Joiosa, and Gandia.
Magic will extend its business model to events and shows at Marina d’Or, integrating entertainment into the resort experience to attract a broader audience and sustain occupancy throughout the year. Meanwhile, Strong Group, a 100% Spanish-owned holding company, brings together more than 20 firms focused mainly on the agri-food sector, including ElPozo Alimentación. The group employs over 8,700 people and reports annual turnover exceeding 2.0 trillion euros. In addition to food production, its interests span tourism, where Terra Natura and other attractions are part of its portfolio, and infrastructure projects such as the highway linking Alicante and Cartagena, where it is a key early investor. (Citation: Strategic partnerships between Magic Costa Blanca, Grupo Fuertes, and Strong Group reflect a multi-industry approach to revitalizing Marina d’Or.)