Carpe Diem Beach Resort and Spa, the first resort being developed by leading luxury cruise operator Carpe Diem Maldives, has welcomed Socrates Alvaro as General Manager.

In a statement, Carpe Diem said Socrates will be responsible for driving the pre-opening development of Carpe Diem Beach Resort and Spa. He will also oversee the day-to-day operations of the resort and the development of his team, it added.

No stranger to the region, Socrates returns to the Maldives four years after a previous General Manager posting with Coco Collection ended in 2013. He joins Carpe Diem from prior General Manager roles in Dubai and South East Asia with Emaar Hospitality Group, Aleenta and Minor Hotels.

According to Carpe Diem, Socrates, who officially started in July, spent his first week inspecting the new island development in Raa atoll, reviewing the construction and design plans for the 115 pool villa resort and discussing the natural marine and reef diversity with visiting marine biologists from Coral Reef CPR.

He explains: “I am very excited and motivated to be joining a growing company that has a vision towards new traveller demographics to the Maldives. With some fantastic collaboration already in place and a wonderful marine biology programme with Coral Reef CPR, it’s these kind of memorable experiences that I think makes a company and resort stand out. I look forward to sharing this and many other unique offerings with a new kind of social traveller that we now see attracted to the destination.”

Located in in the northern Raa atoll, one of a trio of uninhabited islands on the cusp with Baa atoll, Carpe Diem Beach Resort and Spa is on track to open in Spring 2018. The resort’s vast lagoon will be home to a private water park of inflatable slides, which is included in full-board packages and bespoke stays across the 115 pool villas, spa and restaurant.

Agnes Van Linden, Assistant Managing Director of Carpe Diem Maldives, concludes, “We’re delighted to welcome Socrates Alvaro as our new resort General Manager. He’s done some excellent work throughout his career and we believe his insight and enthusiastic approach towards new hospitality trends will be invaluable to both the resort and our brand as we grow from being a luxury liveaboard cruise operation to this latest addition of a resort.”

Established in 2008, Carpe Diem currently showcases a collection of three luxury liveaboard cruises, each accommodating 20 guests at a time. Carpe Diem is renowned for delivering a sense of discovery and adventure while enriching guests’ knowledge. The Carpe Diem name has built significant brand recognition within the top echelons of the travel industry for diving and leisure.

As the company expands into resort operations, it has recently appointed Minor Hotel Group’s former Area Director of Marketing Communications for the Maldives Liz Smailes as its marketing communications chief.