Investing in Luxury Resorts and Islands in the Maldives: Dream or Nightmare?

‘Investing in Luxury Resorts and Islands in the Maldives: Dream or Nightmare?’ This was the topic of ESE Florence’s guest lecturer Prof. Walter Zocchi, founder and co-owner of the luxury resort Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa yesterday at ESE Florence.

Walter Zocchi shared his very honest entrepreneurial story and the difficulties he has found himself surrounded with while setting up his business in paradise. A real story that showed how 3 talented friends with a dream of owning a luxury resort on a desert island, managed to realise unique cast-away experiences for their guests, exclusive getaways in total privacy for celebrities and projects to save the ocean. An inspirational story of a local family business expanding into a worldwide brand – including all the challenges a growing hospitality business has to deal with.

‘It was an incredibly interesting lecture!’, said one of ESE Florence’s students after the presentation. ‘At first I didn’t know what to expect of this since the Maldives are quite far away and a totally different reality compared to my situation, but it has been very interesting to see how such a courageous person as Walter Zocchi decided to build his resort there and how he managed to deal with all the obstacles.’

Embarking on the enticing venture of investing in luxury resorts and islands in the Maldives requires not only a keen understanding of the hospitality industry, but also a solid foundation in entrepreneurial skills. The European School of Economics in Florence offers a range of Bachelor, MBA and short business courses in Entrepreneurship that can serve as a valuable compass for aspiring investors navigating the complexities of such high-end projects. From strategic business planning to risk management, these courses provide a comprehensive toolkit for individuals looking to turn their dreams of owning a slice of paradise into a reality. By enrolling in these programmes, prospective investors can gain insights into market trends, sustainable practices, and the intricacies of managing luxury properties, ensuring that their journey into the Maldivian hospitality industry is not just a dream, but a well-informed and potentially prosperous reality.