Why Hospitality Training Matters: Accademia Intrecci on Its Collaboration with One Belvedere Tuscany

29 Luglio 2026

Stile di vita

Hospitality training is essential for developing the skills, confidence and real-world experience needed to create exceptional guest experiences. At One Belvedere Tuscany, we believe the future of hospitality begins by investing in people. That belief is reflected in our collaboration with Accademia Intrecci, Europe’s first residential academy dedicated to training front-of-house professionals for luxury hospitality, fine dining and restaurant service. Together, we are supporting three students through practical training within our working Tuscan estate, where classroom learning becomes real guest experience. By combining education with authentic hospitality, this partnership helps prepare the next generation of professionals while enriching the experience we offer every guest who visits One Belvedere Tuscany.

Marta Cotarella is an entrepreneur and the Founder of Intrecci alongwith her sisters Dominga & Enrica. Founded in 2017 with the aim of training a new generation of professionals capable of combining technical skills, a culture of service, and a focus on guest relations, the Academy continues to grow under her leadership. She leads its development by promoting a training model that combines practical experience, personal growth, and ongoing dialogue with leading figures in the hotel and restaurant sectors. For many years, she has also been committed to promoting a culture of service and hospitality, helping to strengthen the link between training and the business world.

Read the excerpts from the interview with Marta from Accademia Intrecci.

Why Is Hospitality Training More Important Than Ever?

Marta: Hospitality has changed significantly over the past decade. Today’s travellers are looking for more than beautiful destinations or elegant accommodation. They want authentic experiences, genuine conversations and thoughtful service that reflects the culture and identity of the places they visit.

Preparing professionals to meet these expectations requires more than learning operational procedures. Hospitality training must develop confidence, adaptability, communication skills and emotional intelligence alongside technical expertise.

At Intrecci, our educational philosophy has always centred on combining knowledge with experience. Founded in 2017 by the Cotarella Sisters, the Academy was created to prepare a new generation of hospitality professionals through a residential learning programme followed by internships within outstanding hospitality businesses. Students study hospitality culture, customer experience, food and wine, leadership, communication and professional development before applying these skills in real working environments. This balance between theory and practice helps students develop both competence and confidence as they begin their careers.

Why Did Intrecci Choose One Belvedere Tuscany?

Marta: Choosing the right internship partner is just as important as designing the educational programme itself. We look for organisations that share our belief that hospitality begins with people and grows through authentic relationships rather than scripted service.

One Belvedere Tuscany reflects this philosophy in many ways. Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and the Tuscan countryside, it offers students an opportunity to experience hospitality as a complete journey where accommodation, food, wine, wellness and local culture come together naturally.

The estate also encourages curiosity. Students are not limited to observing daily operations. They become part of a collaborative team, learning how different departments contribute to the overall guest experience while understanding the importance of consistency, professionalism and attention to detail.

This environment allows students to appreciate that luxury hospitality is not defined only by beautiful surroundings. It is created through people who genuinely enjoy welcoming others and who understand that every interaction contributes to a guest’s memories.

How Does Hospitality Training Prepare Students for Real Guest Experiences?

Marta: Classroom education provides important knowledge, but practical experience transforms that knowledge into lasting professional skills.

During their time at One Belvedere Tuscany, our students encounter situations that cannot be recreated through textbooks or simulations. Every guest arrives with different expectations, cultural backgrounds and personal stories. Learning how to respond with confidence, empathy and professionalism is an essential part of becoming a hospitality professional.

Working alongside experienced teams also helps students strengthen communication, teamwork and problem-solving abilities. They learn how thoughtful recommendations, careful attention to detail and genuine conversations contribute to memorable guest experiences.

Equally valuable is the opportunity to experience authentic Tuscan hospitality firsthand. Students discover how regional traditions, seasonal cuisine, local wines and respect for the surrounding landscape shape the guest journey. These experiences deepen their understanding that hospitality is about creating connections between people and place rather than simply delivering a service.

For many students, this practical learning also builds self-confidence. Being trusted with responsibility, receiving constructive guidance and contributing to a professional environment helps prepare them for successful careers within hotels, restaurants and luxury hospitality businesses around the world.

What Does the Future of Hospitality Look Like?

Marta: We believe the future of hospitality belongs to professionals who combine technical excellence with empathy, curiosity and a genuine desire to care for others.

Technology will continue to support the hospitality industry, but it will never replace authentic human interaction. Guests will always remember how they were welcomed, how they felt during their stay and the people who made those moments meaningful.

Partnerships between educational institutions and hospitality businesses therefore play an increasingly important role. They help students bridge the gap between education and employment while allowing businesses to contribute to the development of future talent.

Our collaboration with One Belvedere Tuscany demonstrates what hospitality training can achieve when education and industry work together with shared values. By investing in young professionals today, we are helping create a future hospitality industry built on authenticity, professionalism and meaningful human connection.

Marta: Hospitality begins with people, and great hospitality begins with learning. At Accademia Intrecci, we are proud to work alongside One Belvedere Tuscany to help future professionals transform education into experience. Through practical hospitality training, mentorship and authentic guest interactions, students gain the confidence, knowledge and perspective needed to build rewarding careers while preserving the values that make hospitality truly memorable.

Looking Ahead

If you would like to experience authentic Tuscan hospitality, discover how One Belvedere Tuscany brings together exceptional guest experiences, local culture and a commitment to developing the next generation of hospitality professionals.