Not only tourists are willing to stay in the island of the Indian Ocean or Caribbean Sea, investors and developers have strong appetites to develop their business where the sun is always shining.
From Indian Ocean
Emerald group was founded 40 years ago by two brothers to develop skiing in Norther Italy. After having possessed more than 50 properties across their birth country, the two brothers were interested in long haul destinations to answer their clients’ needs. They moved from operators to developers in destinations like Zanzibar, or the Maldives. Being pioneers, the two brothers, who are still CEO and COO of the group, decided to invest in the Indian Ocean and developed several resorts which were operated under international brands and now have been sold to companies like RIU or TUI Group.
The Emerald Collection is family oriented with many services, and activities for children. The food & beverage offer is included into the all-inclusive fee.
The Scarapicchia family decided to develop its own brand The Emerald Collection, referring to the colour of the waters where their resorts are located, and to the Emerald coast in Sardinia where the family come from. All the properties are to be part of The Leading Hotels of The World. 1 in Zanzibar and 2 in the Maldives are open or to open by 2023.
The company is willing to develop furthermore in Zanzibar and in the Maldives and wishes to come to Europe in the Mediterranean Sea. First targets being Sardinia and Sicily.
The whole business is vertically integrated within the family and is capital and energy intense, that is why the group is willing to develop cautiously to preserve its integrity and sense of hospitality. Mattia & Simone Scarapicchia sum up their way of leading the family business: “Your resort, it’s like your own house” and are willing to keep that state of mind. A good way to keep their 1,200 employees loyal to the company.
To the Caribbean
On the other side of the planet, another family-owned group has been developing for 41 years. Sandals has grown to 17 resorts starting their business targeting couples. Their client having aged, thy are now developing products to welcome families.
2023 will be the year of 3 openings in Jamaica, Saint Vincent and Curaçao. Being on islands they are highly depending on planes and ships to convey their customers. The Caribbean destinations being still maturing, the group is willing to keep expanding its footprint in the region.
The company is now targeting European customers and bets on corporate groups to diversify their clientele.
