From Maldives to the world

Atmosphere Core, a leading hotelier operating in South Asia with Maldives headquarters, made waves at ITB Berlin this year with its most ambitious development to date: BORGO MONCHIERO HERITAGE BY ATMOSPHERE, a luxury rural retreat set in picturesque Langhe, Piedmont in Italy.

The private hospitality company has grown exponentially over the last decade from a single Indian Ocean Island resort to one of the largest operators in the Maldives. With agility and pace as its key strengths and no stranger to disrupting markets, Atmosphere Core has developed a robust pipeline of over 25 properties in India and South Asia. As momentum accelerates for international expansion, so do the sub-brands under three distinctive titles: THE OZEN COLLECTION, COLOURS OF OBLU and Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts.

TTN speaks to Stéphane Laguette, Chief Commercial Officer of Atmosphere Core, about the company’s growth, retaining the boutique advantage and its new Italian address.

"Our strategy is firmly rooted in building strong relationships, giving us the confidence to expand into new territories," says Laguette. "It's not just about owners asking us to consider their countries; it's about leveraging our existing partnerships and market knowledge to effectively fill the hotels we bring into different regions. For example, in Italy, we know the outbound British, German and Swiss markets very well, which gives us the confidence to promote our properties there effectively.”

"Our expansion beyond our traditional South Asia and Indian Ocean comfort zone, into areas like Italy, has been quite organic. Discussions began from a place of existing strength; partners encouraged us to consider markets where our setup and understanding, like the strong domestic and outbound operator networks in Italy, made the transition seamless.

“Similar dynamics applied to our growth in India and Nepal, where our established presence and market understanding provided a natural entry point,” he explains.

While THE OZEN COLLECTION is their distinct luxury offering, capable of being positioned anywhere that aligns with a luxury ethos, the COLOURS OF OBLU brand is more vibrant, colourful, and joyful – perfectly suited for beach and resort locations, though less so for city centres, Laguette explains. Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts serves as the broader, flexible brand, allowing for diverse opportunities.

The latest example of growth under the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts banner catapults the Maldivian chain into the European luxury market with the upcoming opening of Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere in Italy. "For us, expanding into Italy felt quite natural," Laguette explains, "because Italy is already a globally renowned tourism destination. When we speak to partners in these countries and mention Italy and then describe the unique experience, the fantastic location, it resonates strongly."

This new property promises a unique, intimate experience, breathing new life into a historic site.

"It's not just a chapel, it's a proper church, part of a tiny hamlet with only about 20 residents," shared Stéphane Laguette, Chief Commercial Officer of Atmosphere Core. "The hotel itself is housed within a former monastery, marking the first time this space has been converted into a hotel, having previously served as a very basic retreat."

Situated in a Borgo – a small, elevated village – the property, once a monastic retreat, will offer some 26 keys once an additional villa is integrated.

While the domestic Italian market is expected to be strong, Laguette anticipates significant interest from neighbouring European countries, including Switzerland, France, Germany, and the UK, given the region's excellent connectivity as well as the US. The appeal already extends further, with agreements already signed in Japan and South Korea for tours focusing on the property's attached church for weddings and interest also coming from Kuwait.

He highlights the strategic positioning for the Middle East market: "For the Middle East market, we foresee it as a natural extension of a trip that might include shopping in Milan or experiencing the food in Turin. Guests can then venture for a couple of days into the heart of Piedmont famous for its natural produce – hazelnuts, truffle and grape culture." The property's restaurant is expected to be a major draw, complemented by the region's celebrated wines.

He further elaborated on the choice of location: "As Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, our ethos is to bring new experiences to the market. We wanted to showcase something truly unique that perhaps other luxury hospitality groups haven't yet offered."

"We are now actively looking at other countries, recognising that our profile as a boutique group holds significant appeal. We're not a vast, impersonal corporation. We remain hands-on, closely connected to our owners, fostering a collaborative approach. This allows us to bring new properties into our portfolio, relying on communication to highlight our openings and attract further interest.