(November 16, 2025) Back in 1995, when Salil Panigrahi first set foot in the Maldives, he was captivated by its raw natural beauty — the turquoise lagoons, the solitude of each island, and the sense that nature itself was the master architect. But what struck him most was the potential. This was a destination where one could create emotional sanctuaries, not just luxury resorts. He realised that hospitality could be both art and enterprise, where design, emotion, and financial discipline could converge to create something truly lasting.
That early spark would eventually lead to Atmosphere Core, the award-winning hospitality group managing eight world-class island resorts in the Maldives today. Over the years, Salil’s vision has been recognised at the highest levels with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (2021) and the Maldives President’s Tourism Gold Award (2023), two of the most prestigious honours for his contributions in the field of tourism.
“The first trip changed everything for me,” he recalls in a chat with Global Indian. “If I had to summarise my journey, I’d say it’s about balance between finance and creativity, discipline and freedom, and a global perspective with local authenticity,” he says. From a single-resort dream, his philosophy has evolved into a blueprint for responsible, design-led hospitality that creates spaces, and touches lives meaningfully and beautifully.
Salil Panigrahi
The birth of Atmosphere Core
Atmosphere Core emerged from Salil’s belief that hospitality must be both design-led and emotionally real, supported by rigorous operational and financial discipline. His first property, Atmosphere Kanifushi, launched in December 2013 was a leap of faith that soon became a benchmark. “It was a test of vision,” he says. “We wanted to prove that a resort could be both beautiful and commercially sustainable.”
That success shaped an entire ecosystem of brands: Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, Colours Of Oblu, and The Ozen Collection, each with its own guest promise and architectural language.
Before Atmosphere: The EoN chapter
Before founding Atmosphere Core, Salil created EoN Resorts, a company specialising in luxury resort development and consultancy across the Maldives. “At EoN, we spearheaded iconic resorts like Constance Halaveli and Six Senses Laamu,” he says, talking about the properties that went on to redefine the South Asian archipelagic country’s hospitality.
Design as emotion
For Salil, great design should feel invisible, and perfectly aligned with nature rather than imposed on it. “Designing a resort starts with understanding the emotion we want the guest to feel: calm, awe, belonging,” he explains. This emotional blueprint then guides everything; from reading the island’s contours and wind flow to the architecture, interiors, F&B concepts, and landscaping.
“Sustainability isn’t an add-on. It is integral,” he says. From natural materials to partnerships with local artisans, every decision respects the ecosystem and community.
Navigating early challenges
Building consistent brand experiences across remote islands was one of the early hurdles. Aligning aesthetics, service culture, and commercial sustainability required discipline and trust. “We overcame challenges by empowering local leadership and building strong training programmes,” he says. The focus was always the guest journey. Today, Atmosphere Core is one of the fastest-growing hospitality companies in the Indian Ocean.
Top honours
Receiving the Maldives President’s Tourism Gold Award was a great milestone for Salil just like the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. “It was an immense honour, personally and professionally,” he says. For him the Maldives President’s Tourism Gold Award symbolised years of commitment toward building something enduring in the Maldives while creating jobs, nurturing local talent, and showcasing the country’s beauty to the world. “It reaffirmed my belief that business growth and community impact must go hand in hand.”
What distinguishes Atmosphere Core
In Maldives’ competitive luxury landscape, each Atmosphere Core brand has a distinct identity, right from the experiential Colors of Oblu to the ultra-luxury Ozen Collection. “We built an architecture of experiences rather than just resorts,” Salil explains.This design-thinking framework now guides expansions into India, Sri Lanka, and Europe.
What truly sets the group apart is the fusion of creativity with commercial discipline. “Many companies treat design as decorative. For us, design and experience are strategic. Every element is backed by analytics and ROI thinking.”
Roots in Odisha
Born into a modest middle-class family in Odisha, Salil grew up with the expectation of securing a solid education and career. He completed his B.Sc. in Physics before following his love for numbers into Chartered Accountancy. His articleship at Oberoi Hotels & Resorts immersed him in finance, structure, and service excellence. “My years at Oberoi gave me the discipline of numbers,” he says about the foundation that would later anchor his creative pursuits.
Merging art and finance
When Salil transitioned into resort development, it felt organic — the perfect blend of creativity and finance. “Numbers gave me clarity; creativity gave me freedom,” he says. That synergy has defined his leadership ever since. The Maldives became both his home and canvas for building Atmosphere Core. Today, he divides his time between the Maldives, India, and emerging global destinations.
Hotels that inspire him
Asked about his favourite hotels, Salil laughs. “That’s a tough one.” He admires properties that express their sense of place particularly Aman for its purity of design and Six Senses for its deep integration of sustainability. He also has a soft spot for boutique independents that carry strong local stories.
Future plans of expansion with meaning
Looking ahead, Salil’s focus is measured expansion, strengthening the Maldives portfolio while scaling into India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan, with selective entry into global markets. “The goal is not just growth,” he emphasises. “It is meaning — creating brands that deliver design-led, emotionally intelligent experiences while honouring local culture.”
The night owl creative
Art, travel, and observation
Art and design have always been close to the hotelier’s heart. “I sketch regularly, especially architectural forms and spatial concepts. I am also a keen observer; every place I visit offers new perspectives through its people, design, behaviour, and style,” he mentions. Travel takes him off the grid, where he can observe local craftsmanship or community life. “I believe inspiration comes from immersion, from truly watching how people live, build, and express themselves.”
India–Maldives: Tourism as a bridge
On India–Maldives relations, Salil is optimistic. “Diplomacy goes through phases, but tourism remains a bridge that connects people,” he says. What’s important is mutual respect and collaboration between governments and industries to ensure connectivity, safety, and shared prosperity.” He believes enhanced engagement between the two nations benefits travellers, businesses, and communities on both sides. He believes the enhanced engagements between India and the Maldives is a positive step as it benefits travellers, businesses, and communities on both sides.
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