In Dialog with Christophe Piquet, Head of Gross sales and Advertising, Heritage Villas Valriche –

Main the advertising and gross sales operations, each domestically and internationally, for Heritage Villas Valriche is a task that Christophe Piquet enjoys immensely, and after transferring to Mauritius himself 4 years in the past he’s well-placed to advise his shoppers. A main motivation behind his work is to carry pleasure to folks’s lives, and he’s dedicated to sustaining this goal!

Learn on to find extra about Heritage Villas Valrich, life in Mauritius, and the way luxurious journey traits for are shifting.

Please describe a typical day for you – if such a factor exists. 

I get pleasure from this job immensely as a result of every day presents new challenges and experiences. On Mondays, we kickstart the week with a morning session devoted to monitoring the gross sales course of and making certain that our valued prospects are stored knowledgeable concerning the progress of their tasks. The remainder of the week is a dynamic mixture of actions, together with web site visits with potential shoppers, conferences with worldwide companions and traders, coordination periods with the resorts relating to the long run plans for Bel Ombre, and the creation of selling supplies.  Moreover, we host cocktail occasions with resort visitors every Wednesday, which allows us to introduce potential patrons to householders and interact in personal discussions with them to foster deeper connections and supply a customized strategy. Moreover, we set up dinners with journalists or potential patrons at varied amenities inside the resort a minimum of one evening per week.

The first motivation behind my work is to carry pleasure to folks’s lives, and I’m dedicated to sustaining this goal each week.

You moved to Mauritius, from France, 4 years in the past – please inform us about your individual journey and if/how life has modified for you. 

This choice has been one of the best of my life, actually life-changing! On the time, I used to be dwelling in Brittany in a cushty place. My girlfriend and household (dad and mom and brother) had been already in Mauritius. When information of the approaching lockdown reached me, I drove from Brittany to Paris airport, bought a ticket on the spot, and flew to Mauritius for the lockdown. Unable to return, I made the daring option to resign from my job and settle for a place at Heritage Villas Valriche throughout a difficult interval with few prospects. Regardless of the preliminary uncertainty, it become an unbelievable journey with over 80 gross sales in 4 years. I’m now fortunately married and a father to just a little boy. This transformation has blessed me past measure, significantly enhancing my high quality of life. I really feel extra fulfilled and completed, cherishing my weekends. The out of doors way of life in Mauritius, significantly in Bel Ombre, is solely extraordinary in its high quality and variety. There’s by no means a boring second right here. I’d like to precise my heartfelt gratitude to Anton de Waal, our CEO, and Mr. Philippe Espitalier Noel, our Chairman, for his or her unwavering belief and assist. None of this might have been potential with out them.

Based mostly by yourself expertise, what’s your key piece of recommendation to anybody contemplating the same transfer?

I’d supply two items of recommendation: “Belief your instincts and Put together your self.” Whereas these could appear contradictory, they don’t seem to be. Trusting your instincts is commonly one of the best choice you can also make in life. Mauritius is a welcoming place; everyone seems to be form, the environment is peaceable, and you are feeling secure. English is extensively spoken, providing the consolation of Europe with the exoticism of the tropics. Nevertheless, it’s important to arrange your self for a clean transition, and that’s the place we are available. We’re right here to help, information, and join you with the correct folks. Nonetheless, you’ll have to put in some effort to make sure you arrive underneath the absolute best circumstances primarily based in your venture. Whereas it’s not Europe right here, there’s a unique mentality and tempo, requiring some adjustment. Nevertheless, we’re right here for you each step of the best way, making certain you will have essentially the most pleasing expertise potential. I’d by no means encourage somebody to return to Mauritius if I really feel they wouldn’t match with the island’s tropical lifestyle.

Heritage Villas Valriche epitomises ‘refined Tropical Mauritian Residing’ please elaborate on what this entails.

Ah, what a superb query! Describing our territory, Bel Ombre, is actually a problem, because it’s troublesome to convey the feelings one feels when dwelling right here. Our earlier tagline, “Stay the extraordinary,” whereas correct, lacked depth and did not seize the true essence of our choices. The time period “luxurious” typically evokes photos of ostentation, which didn’t absolutely encapsulate the environment we wished to convey. Collaborating with a Communication Company, we reimagined our tagline, leading to “Genuine Island Residing,” which completely encapsulates our imaginative and prescient. “Genuine” embodies the real Mauritius – its pristine sandy seashores, azure lagoons, lush inexperienced forests, and the nice and cozy hospitality of its folks. Whereas Mauritians’ mentality stays unchanged, the island has advanced right into a bustling metropolis, with actual property developments sprawling throughout its panorama. It’s more and more difficult to search out the serene Mauritius of the previous, an opulent retreat away from the hustle and bustle. “Island” brings this tropical facet. “Residing” emphasizes that life is on the coronary heart of our venture. To really recognize the fantastic thing about our territory, one should immerse themselves within the expertise. Right here, every little thing comes alive – from the colourful corals to the plush forests – by way of you, the person.
Then come and expertise the “Genuine island dwelling”.

And the Heritage Villas Valriche Homeowners Membership, we’re intrigued to be taught extra…..

One other wonderful query! In Bel Ombre, we provide a plethora of world-class amenities that present quite a few advantages to householders at Heritage Villas Valriche. From preferential pricing at eating places to reserving one-third of tee-off slots on the golf course, our residents get pleasure from unique privileges. What actually units us aside from different related estates in Mauritius is our vibrant way of life and close-knit group. Right here, householders forge robust bonds and revel in frequent celebrations collectively. Whether or not it’s attending the celebrated AfrAsia Financial institution Mauritius Open Competitors or taking part in our annual Householders Finish of 12 months social gathering, there are numerous alternatives for residents to return collectively and create unforgettable recollections.

The event was established in 2008 if/how has the property advanced to fulfill the dynamic calls for of your viewers? 

For the reason that inception of our improvement on a sugar discipline with only one golf course in 2008, there have been exceptional transformations. Firstly, we’re proud to unveil our newest addition, La Réserve Golf Hyperlinks, inaugurated three months in the past with the celebrated ABMO. This golf course epitomizes our imaginative and prescient for the territory, respecting environmental circumstances with its GEO certification and prioritizing folks’s pleasure and luxury.

By way of infrastructure, we now boast two 5-star beachfront resorts and a personal seashore membership providing quite a lot of bars and eating places for gastronomic fans. Moreover, we’ve meticulously renovated Le Chateau de Bel Ombre, a Nineteenth-century Mauritian mansion, remodeling it right into a venue for distinctive occasions that includes Michelin-starred cooks.

Responding to our prospects’ want for contemporary design, we’ve developed 4 prototypes of Modern Villas in collaboration with the famend South African architect Scott & Companions. Moreover, we’ve partnered with the esteemed French architect Frédéric Paul Goux to create a brand new prototype, setting our improvement aside when it comes to architectural range to suit our prospects’ want.

And have you ever noticed any traits/shifts when it comes to your purchaser/shopper profiles and buy behaviour? 

For the reason that onset of the pandemic, we’ve witnessed a major surge in demand for inexperienced areas and expansive environments, aligning completely with our environment and choices. With 70% of our property devoted to frequent areas, we’ve maintained a pristine atmosphere, creating a really distinctive dwelling expertise inside a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve.

Whereas our group was predominantly South African previously, we’ve noticed a notable shift in the direction of extra European residents, significantly from France and Britain, in addition to Germany and Switzerland following the battle in Ukraine. Mauritius, being a bilingual and welcoming vacation spot recognized for its security, has attracted numerous demographics. Though Europe continues to be our main market, we’re seeing a major enhance in demand from expatriates within the UAE and Asia who’re opting to not return to Europe and are searching for a retirement vacation spot like Mauritius.

Then, historically a haven for these aged 50 and above searching for second houses, we’ve just lately seen a pattern of younger entrepreneurs, like our newest 23-year-old purchaser, selecting to settle in Villas Valriche. Our group affords an unparalleled setting for kids to develop up surrounded by nature and contemporary air.

What are your predictions for Mauritius as each a luxurious vacation vacation spot and a residential domicile over the following 5 years? 

I firmly consider that Mauritius holds immense potential within the coming years as a premier luxurious vacation spot and residential hub. The infrastructure requirements have notably elevated and may now be in comparison with European benchmarks, significantly in healthcare and schooling. Moreover, Mauritius has now change into a well-connected vacation spot, with a number of direct flights to Europe, Asia, the Center East, and Africa.

By way of luxurious, Mauritius, and particularly Bel Ombre, holds a pivotal position to play. Nature, freedom, and intimacy have gotten the quintessential luxuries of tomorrow. Amidst a world more and more beset by air pollution and overcrowding, we provide a haven with lush tropical gardens the place one can breathe contemporary air, take heed to the soothing sounds of waves crashing on reefs, and get up to the melodic chirping of birds. I’m assured that Bel Ombre, with the strategic selections made by its stakeholders, will proceed to face out as a really distinctive and timeless vacation spot.

The ‘Now for Tomorrow’ sustainability programme is a key focus on the property, please inform us extra about this.   

The “Now for Tomorrow” program, initiated by Heritage Resorts, marks the start of a real testomony to our dedication to preserving our heritage and shaping its future. We acknowledge that environmental stewardship is paramount, whether or not for a vacationer vacation spot or a residential group

By way of this program, we’ve dedicated to numerous pillars, together with round financial system, biodiversity, and inclusive improvement, amongst others. Our intention is to form the long run with a give attention to respecting our folks and the environment.

Every other thrilling information on the horizon for Heritage Villas Valriche?

Keep tuned !….for extra updates on our social media channels together with LinkedIn, Fb, and Instagram. Thrilling bulletins are on the horizon within the coming months!

Luxurious is very subjective, what does it imply to you personally?

Completely, for my part, luxurious goes hand in hand with what I stated about nature and freedom. What I really like about this job is the flexibility to supply folks with the liberty to totally get pleasure from life. It’s about providing people the chance to embrace life to the fullest after working exhausting to realize their targets, and that, to me, is priceless.

What’s your life motto? (In case you have one) 

“You could have one life, get pleasure from each second of it.”