Aldemar Group has received the green light for another major tourism investment in the Peloponnese, as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been approved for the construction of a new hotel complex in the coastal area of “Skafidia – Pournari – Psatholakka” in Agios Ilias, Pyrgos, in the region of Ilia.
The project involves a 5-star resort with a capacity of 228 beds, representing a €22 million investment, to be developed by E.P.T.E.A. S.A. (Tourism Exploitation and Development Planning S.A.), a company owned by the Aldemar Group.
Strategic Shift from Crete to the Peloponnese
This marks Aldemar’s return to new investments, this time focused on Western Peloponnese, following its full withdrawal from Crete in 2024, including the recent sale of the iconic “Knossos Royal” to the Karatzis Group.
The strategic shift to Ilia aligns with Aldemar’s portfolio restructuring, aiming to strengthen its presence in the Peloponnese. The group already operates the “Olympian Village” in the same region and has plans for another new hotel as well as the development of a tourism village with 600 residences, underscoring its long-term commitment to the area.
Project Overview
The new resort will be built on a 53,111 sq.m. plot and will operate seasonally from April to October. Designed as a luxury development, it includes a wide array of high-quality amenities:
Main building (1,945 sq.m.) over three levels (basement, ground floor, upper floor), with reception, lounges, shops, bar, restaurant, and roof garden.
Wellness center (1,040 sq.m.) featuring a heated indoor pool, spa, massage, hydrotherapy, and gym.
75 swimming pools, including one covered for winter use.
Suites with private pools, single and two-story configurations.
Seaside restaurant and snack bar, mini-golf, tennis court, children’s playground, parking for 42 cars and 2 coaches, plus 15,000 sq.m. of landscaped gardens.
Access will be via the existing local road network, with an internal road system to be developed within the complex for vehicles and pedestrians.
Infrastructure and Environmental Conditions
A distinctive feature of the project is the shared support infrastructure, including a wastewater treatment unit, to be built on an adjacent site where another 700-bed hotel by the same developer is planned. The two properties will jointly manage treated wastewater, as required under the approved environmental terms.
The EIA approval includes strict environmental conditions, which the company is required to follow during both construction and operation. Special focus is placed on waste management and protection of the local flora and fauna.
A Plan Long in the Making
Aldemar’s investment in Ilia is not a new idea. The first environmental permit was issued in 2004, with amendments in 2009. However, due to shifting strategies and market conditions, the project was delayed. A new EIA was submitted in late 2024, followed by a public consultation phase into early 2025, which led to its recent approval.
A New Chapter for Tourism in Ilia
This investment is expected to boost tourism and economic development in Ilia, positioning the region as a destination for high-quality and upgraded services. Aldemar has even mentioned the potential development of a tourism village with up to 600 residences on a neighboring property.
With existing and upcoming developments, Skafidia is emerging as a central point in Aldemar’s strategic tourism planning, aiming to reshape tourism development in Western Peloponnese with a new, integrated model.
