In the late 80s, the calm Atlantic off the southern coast of Gran Canaria witnessed a vision. A Norwegian, Bjørn Lyng, looked up from his boat. A mountain in Arguineguín. For many, just rock and earth. For Lyng, the seed of something bigger. There, in those calm waters, the idea of what is today Anfi del Mar was born: one of the most important timeshare resorts in Europe. Things have changed: Anfi del Mar is now in the hands of Lopesan.
This year, 2025, Anfi Group celebrates its centenary. The birth of its founder. A visionary who didn't just build a place. He created a concept. Well-being. Hospitality. A concept that has endured for decades. Lyng wasn't just any entrepreneur. Where others saw untapped land, he imagined temporary homes. Thousands of European families. Smiles in the sun. Memories by the sea.
To commemorate his legacy, Anfi has launched a year-round calendar of activities. Highlights include a raffle for weeks' accommodation, a gesture that honors Lyng's generous spirit. He wanted to share the beauty of Gran Canaria with the world. They've also launched a visual tour, featuring historic images on walls and screens, so members and visitors can learn about the man who transformed the Canary Islands coastline.
The main event took place next to Lyng's bust on the iconic heart island of Anfi del Mar. There, veterans of the group, some of whom had spoken with him, and new employees paid tribute. A floral offering. A symbol of what unites generations. "Mr. Lyng didn't just build a complex; he created a philosophy of life based on well-being, commitment, and excellence," said Manuel Lledó, one of the oldest employees.
Today, 100 years after his birth, Bjørn Lyng's vision lives on. Five tourist units. Nearly a thousand families employed. More than 33.000 members spread across Europe. It all began with a fishing rod. A cloudless horizon. And the unwavering belief that a place could be extraordinary.
From that fishing boat to the heart of one of the continent's most iconic tourist destinations, Anfi's story is the story of a dream that dared to float beyond the sea.
Bjørn Lyng: The Architect of a Shared Paradise
Bjørn Lyng wasn't content with what he saw. His vision transcended simple bricks and mortar. He was said to have an innate ability to see the future in a vacant lot. Before Anfi, Lyng had already made his mark in Norway with innovations in the plastics and electronics industries. But it was in Gran Canaria that he found the canvas for his tourism masterpiece.
His approach was radical for its time. It wasn't just about building apartments; it was about creating a community. Lyng understood that people didn't just want a place to sleep, but a home away from home, with all the services and amenities that entailed. He invested in infrastructure that others considered excessive: an artificial white-sand beach imported from the Caribbean, a private marina, lush gardens, and an attention to detail in customer service that became Anfi's hallmark.
He was a man who believed in the long term. The idea of timeshare, although already in existence, was elevated by Lyng to a new level of quality and trust. Members weren't buying a week's vacation; they were buying a lifestyle, a promise of guaranteed sunshine and impeccable service year after year. This philosophy of commitment and excellence, which Manuel Lledó emphasized, was Lyng's driving force. He didn't just delegate; he was involved in every aspect, from the design of the apartments to the selection of the plants in the gardens.
Bjørn Lyng was also a pioneer in understanding the value of repeat customers. He knew that a satisfied member would not only return, but would become Anfi's best ambassador. He fostered a family atmosphere, where many of the current employees are children or grandchildren of those who worked with him from the beginning. This mutual loyalty—between the founder, his employees, and his partners—was the true foundation of his success. His legacy is not just a collection of buildings, but a way of understanding hospitality that continues to attract thousands of families year after year.
