The Sicilian Resort of Rocco Forte Hotels reopens on March 1st.
Experienced international hotelier Giacomo Battafarano has returned to Sicily and been named as the new General Manager of Verdura Resort.
Battafarano, originally from Matera, brings a wealth of knowledge with him to the iconic Sicilian resort – a Rocco Forte Hotel – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
After gaining a Master in Hospitality Management qualification at the LUISS School of Business and Management in Rome, Battafarano began his career in the luxury hotel industry with a five-year spell as Hotel Manager at Forte Village Resort. From Sardinia he moved to Portugal, where he held the position of Operations Director at Le Meridien Dona Filipa and San Lorenzo Golf Course.
He returned to Italy at the historic Hotel Imperiale in Taormina, where he oversaw its reopening after a complete renovation, while, in his most recent role, he spent five years managing London’s Xenia Hotel, which included supervising the total rebranding of the Kensington property.
"I am proud to be joining the Rocco Forte Hotels team and, in particular, to manage the Verdura Resort, a resort that has positioned Sicily among the most sought-after luxury destinations for international clients. It is particularly exciting to come back to this marvellous land, which hosted me in the past and which remains close to my heart,” said Giacomo Battafarano.
Sir Rocco Forte, Founder and Chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, added: "We are very happy to inaugurate 2019 by welcoming Giacomo. I am sure that his experience will allow us to achieve great results in an exciting year for the property and for Rocco Forte Hotels.”
The appointment of Battafarano is part of an unprecedented moment of expansion for the Rocco Forte Hotels group which, in May 2019, will inaugurate its first property in Puglia – Masseria Torre Maizza in the province of Brindisi – and second property in Rome, the iconic Hotel De La Ville a few steps from Piazza di Spagna.
Overlooking a private beach bordered by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, Verdura Resort is ready to welcome guests next month from March.
The resort’s world-class golf facilities include an outstanding 18-hole championship course as well as a par-three nine-hole course, double-ended driving range and first-class academy and Performance Institute.
Located between Agrigento and the fishing city of Sciacca, an 80-minute drive from Trapani and Palermo airports, Verdura Resort features 203 rooms and suites, all with a sea view, including six villas which offer a perfect solution for family holidays, each with its own private swimming pool.
Away from the fairways, the resort offers an extensive array of other luxury sports and lifestyle facilities, while guests also have the opportunity to sample, on and off-site, a taste of the gastronomy, wine, history and culture that has made Sicily famous across the world.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
