Switzerland based PlanHotel Hospitality Group who operates Diamonds Resort Thudufushi & Athurugain the Maldives introduced its new International Hotel School in collaboration last year with the Amelia Rosso Foundation.

This 1-week program, now in its second year of function, is designed to introduce the resort and tourism industry to young Maldivian adults, by teaching them the fundamentals of the job. 

This year, 12 highly motivated students had the chance to learn from two renowned hospitality teachers from Switzerland, Mr. Paolo Zanga, who taught them about the Food & Beverage Department, as well as from Mr. Aleandro Zaccheo about hygiene measures in a resort. Subjects studied varied from table setting to the behaviour to adopt in a service environment. 

On Saturday, 24th February, the small group visited the luxurious Diamonds Thudufusi Beach & Water Villas, accompanied by their teachers. They had the chance to visit of the resort thoroughly, including the backstage scene, and to meet with employees who shared their experience working for the resort. Amongst these employees, Diamonds Resorts Executive Chef Giacomo Gaspari and invited Chef Thomas Dorfer from Jeunes Restaurateurs (JRE) shared their expertise about working in the industry and the vast opportunities for advancement. 

The level of experience varied amongst the students from the group, but they were all delighted to have the chance to learn some new skills. They mentioned that one of the most important things they learned during the course is to always be smiling, as it is vital to a good service, and that they found the art of setting a table to be the most interesting subject they have learned. The Maldivian students showed a high interest for the industry and most of them expressed a desire to work in a resort following the completion of this program. 

PlanHotel Hospitality Group has planned to carry on this program for a total of four years and hopes to be welcoming even more eager students next year for the third edition.

Founded in 1997 in Lugano, site of the Groups headquarters, the Planhotel Hospitality Group has been operating in the tourism sector for over 20 years as a leading hotel management company for resorts and hotels in the Indian Ocean.

The group focuses on management, marketing strategies and distribution, as well as developing the network of its Diamonds Resorts, Sandies Resorts & Hotels and other independent hotels.