How did you go from a public works company founded by your father to one of Italy's leading hospitality groups?
Paolo Barletta: My father founded a small construction company, which I joined in 2012. When he passed away the following year, I had to take the helm at a very young age. Passionate about hospitality, I quickly steered the business in that direction. Our first project in Rome became Soho House, followed by the development of several new hotels across Italy.
In 2019, we acquired the renowned Hotel de La Minerva in Rome. Mr Bulgari and I wanted to create an Italian Orient Express. Given the risks involved in a purely rail-based venture, we also expanded into hospitality real estate. This led to the creation of Arsenale, a company offering a 360-degree approach to hospitality, soon joined by the Rovati family.
What inspired you to bring hospitality and luxury rail travel together?
P.B.: I am fascinated by the idea of taking people on a journey and creating unforgettable moments for them. Creating memories has always fascinated me. Italian hospitality lacked the simple, warm and authentic approach that defines us. Authenticity is our greatest luxury.
With a strong presence across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, your 10 luxury trains have made their mark around the world. What drives you to keep going further?
P.B.: We take a 360-degree approach to hospitality. Wherever we are, we want to share a piece of history with our guests, connect cultures and reveal their wonders. This connection to our roots is part of my heritage. I want to pass it on, whether those roots date back to the 20th century or the Middle Ages. We are currently working to launch a Rome-Shanghai route in 2028: a unique 21-day journey following in the footsteps of Marco Polo. If I had the time and the means, I would love to experience it as a guest myself.
Luxury trains are a legacy of the past. How do you bring them into the modern age?
P.B.: Trains are the best way to discover a country's heritage. They represent a new frontier for hospitality because they can travel anywhere. We want to preserve the authenticity of the freedom they embody while respecting the culture of every place we pass through. At the same time, we apply the standards of contemporary luxury: refined cabins, king-size beds, silky sheets, hand-blown Murano glassware and dining worthy of a Michelin-starred restaurant.
What makes train travel so magical?
P.B.: Probably the pace and the proximity. On a plane, you look at the sky and eventually grow bored. On a boat, you are surrounded by blue. In a car, if you are driving, your attention is focused on the road. On a train, you travel at just the right pace to contemplate the scenery unfolding before your eyes. Every passenger sees the same landscape, yet each notices different details and takes away unique memories.
How has being Italian shaped your vision?
P.B.: Italians have a strong sense of family. Ever since I was a child, our home was always full of people. My family loved welcoming guests, sharing and cooking. It is in our nature, and I inherited that spirit. I often say that Arsenale is three families welcoming other families. If you stay at one of our hotels, you might find Mr Bulgari having a coffee in the lobby, or Luca Rovati having dinner in the restaurant.
You recently turned 40, while your partners Nicola Bulgari and Luca Rovati belong to older generations. Is this blend of generations one of the keys to your success?
P.B.: The key to success is curiosity. Being curious means learning from other people's experience. Whenever I meet Mr Bulgari or Mr Rovati, I am like a sponge. I listen, ask questions and seek to learn and understand. That is how I approach life. I like listening to people's conversations and concerns. It helps me remain attentive to their needs. The other key to success is my ability to make decisions.
What has been your greatest challenge?
P.B.: Embarking on the railway adventure. Everyone said it was impossible, and it was indeed incredibly complicated. But I was surrounded by remarkable people who made it possible. I remember one night at the factory where we were restoring the carriages. I was among the team, bringing coffee to the workers. I realized that they were not simply doing their jobs: they knew they were creating something special. They could not fail. The determination not to fail is one of the conditions for success.
"I like to stay one train ahead," you once said. What is your next project?
P.B.: In 2019, I dreamed of the Dolce Vita Orient Express and of opening my first hotel. In 2025 and 2026, I dreamed of launching the first Rome-Shanghai service, along with new trains in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. I am curious to discover what will inspire me in 2030. If I am no longer able to dream, it will be time for me to hand over the reins.