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Crossroads, Maldives’ first integrated tourist destination, celebrates official opening
Crossroads Maldives, the largest integrated leisure and lifestyle destination in Maldives by Thailand’s leading real estate developer, Singha Estate Public Company Limited, has finally opened its doors on its two of the nine islands.
After two years in development, Crossroads was inaugurated at a ceremony on Thursday. Vice President Faisal Naseem, tourism minister Ali Waheed, science and technology minister Mohamed Maleeh Jamal, and fisheries minister Zaha Waheed attended the ceremony.
Vice President Naseem congratulated Singha Estate on the visionary project and said Crossroads provices resources to better understand the Maldives: the Maldives Cultural Centre is a place to catch a glimpse of Maldives’ rich history and heritage, and promote local arts and crafts, whilst the Marine Discovery Centre will help visitors understand the environmental situation.
“Initiatives such as these will help underscore the paramount importance of ensuring that these assets are preserved well into the future,” he said.
Expressing confidence that the project will help boost the economy, the vice president identified that it will provide several employment opportunities to the youth who are eager to unlock their potential by pursuing careers in the hospitality industry. He also expressed his hope that women would take up the employment opportunities at Crossroads.
“It is the aim of this government to ensure that women are able to participate in all our key industries on an equal footing with men,” he said.
The ceremony also celebrated the rich history and the prestigious nature of the island nation through various captivating performances including one by popular local singer Mariyam Maeesha, screening of History Channel’s short documentary, “The Making of Crossroads Maldives”, a light and sound show, and an aerial silk show.
Crossroads, a deeply sustainable development owned by Thailand’s leading developer Singha Estate, encompasses nine idyllic islands fringing the Emboodhoo Lagoon in the South Male Atoll. Two of the islands have been used for the first phase of the project.
The first island is home to the vibrant lifestyle district and heart of the mega project, The Marina @ Crossroads — an 11,000sqm retail and entertainment space.
Due to its proximity to the capital city, the attraction serves to inspire the meeting of cultures between locals and visitors, very much the same way the country had done in the past, catering to a variety of lifestyle inclinations including luxury shopping, fine dining, a state-of-the-art event hall, and PADI-certified water sports and dive centre.
A transit hotel, SAii Lagoon Maldives, a Curio Collection by Hilton, targets short-term visitors who can utilise the facilities at the town centre during their stopover for connecting flights.
The sustainable development aspect of the project can be seen through the efforts made at Maldives Discovery Centre, an interactive educational-centre-cum-museum that promotes environmental conservation and Maldivian local arts and crafts. Another is Marine Discovery Centre, one of the region’s most advanced marine life laboratories, that hosts biologists who carry out research and longitudinal studies on sea-life and coral propagation through a Junior Coral Curator programme and a clownfish release initiative that span within the area of 64,000 square meters.
The second island is Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, developed and managed by Singha Estate’s hospitality arm, S Hotels & Resorts. The hotel introduces memorable music-inspired stays featuring a full range of signature experiences and facilities for all ages. Hard Rock Hotel Maldives is also the brand’s first Maldivian outpost.
Crafted under the tagline “Crossroads: Where Cultures Meet”, world-renowned architects, Bensley Design, honours the Maldives’ historical greatness as a crossroads of ancient maritime trade routes between the East and the West. The creation of Marina @ Crossroads is a glorious marriage of old-world French designs, traditional Arabic themes, as well as design concepts from Portugal, China, and Britain.
“With Cross, we are making history. The project has been an exciting and challenging venture to plan and implement for all parties involved: Thai, Maldivian, and international. And today officially marks our first outstanding achievement. By being the largest integrated leisure and entertainment destination in the Maldives, Crossroads will help maintain the notable and continuously rising tourism markets such as China, India, and the Middle East, and attract new market segments of family and locals to the Maldives,” Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, Chairman of Singha Estate, said.
“Crossroads is going to redefine vacation experience in the Maldives and the entire Indian Ocean region whilst also being deeply sustainable and considerate of its environment, history, and culture.”
Naris Cheyklin, Chief Executive Officer of Singha Estate, said that whilst setting sight on promoting tourism and the local economy, Crossroads is also committed to its mission of “building big, protecting the small” — fashioning a mega project whilst promoting the livelihoods of its inhabitants.
During the construction, there was no concrete mixing and no plastering. Singha Estate commissioned all of the projects’ mega structures to be made in Thailand before being shipped to the Maldives in giant container vessels to avoid harming coral reefs and sea-life.
Crossroads also will be home to the Eight New Wonders of the Maldives, consisting of a coral village, iconic tuna sculptures, sunset point, and Emboodhoo canyon, amongst others.
PADI-Certified NASA Astronaut Brings Ocean Exploration to COMO Cocoa Island, Maldives for Exclusive Diving Event.
Luxury private island resort, COMO Cocoa Island, recently hosted an extraordinary “Island Astronaut Camp,” offering guests a unique chance to explore pristine dive sites alongside NASA astronaut and aquanaut Nicole Stott.
The event included guided reef dives at the resort’s PADI Cocoa Island Diving Centre, where Stott, who is also a PADI-certified diver, accompanied guests in discovering the wonders of the underwater world. Participants were also treated to an exclusive starlit dinner with Nicole, adding a personal touch to the experience.
The dives, part of the COMO Journey of Universe Under the Ocean, were led by PADI instructors and took guests to two stunning reefs: Shambhala Reef and Bay Reef. Divers encountered an impressive variety of marine life, including blacktip reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, hawksbill and green sea turtles, moray eels, oriental sweetlips, giant clams, clark anemonefish, cleaner shrimp, bannerfish, lionfish, butterflyfish, and Maldivian anemonefish.
Shambhala Reef, known for its vibrant coral formations on a sloping reef top, is located between the resort’s arrival jetty and a nearby sandbank. Bay Reef, situated in a 12-meter-deep lagoon, boasts a thriving coral garden and coral propagation frames. Both reefs provided breathtaking backdrops for divers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced adventurers.
As part of a captivating COMO Conversation event, veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott shared fascinating stories from her 104 days in space across two NASA missions. She discussed the rigorous training astronauts undergo and highlighted the surprising similarities between space exploration and deep-sea diving. Stott also spoke about her time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and her underwater living experience in the Aquarius habitat, further emphasising the deep connection between the ocean and space.
Just a 40-minute speedboat ride from the capital, Male, COMO Cocoa Island offers 33 luxurious overwater villas, the PADI Cocoa Island Dive Centre, and holistic wellness treatments at the COMO Shambhala Retreat. Whether diving with PADI experts or enjoying wellness therapies, COMO Cocoa Island provides the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation in the Maldives.
Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has confirmed the official opening of Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives on 1st November 2024, as scheduled. This underwater world-themed resort marks a significant step in the company’s growth strategy, becoming Centara’s third property in the Maldives and the fourth in its family-oriented Mirage brand portfolio.
Located within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts—a multi-island paradise offering exclusive access to two Centara properties—the resort promises endless fun for families. Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, the brand’s fourth Maldives venture, is set to open in early 2025. At Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, guests can immerse themselves in the resort’s expansive water park, featuring a lazy river, swimming pools, kids’ pool, and water playground. The resort also boasts a vibrant kids’ club, the innovative child-focused Candy Spa, and the renowned Spa Cenvaree, all designed to create lasting family memories.
The resort’s opening aligns with Centara’s “Future Growth” strategy announced earlier this year. With construction completed, the final touches are being added to welcome guests in the brand’s signature warm and gracious manner. This new property highlights Centara’s ongoing commitment to expanding its family-centric hospitality offerings while delivering world-class experiences in top travel destinations.
Be among the first to experience Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, where special introductory offers await. Guests can enjoy complimentary stays and meals for up to two children aged 15 and under, as well as free roundtrip speedboat transfers between Male airport and the resort. CentaraThe1 members will also receive an extra 15% discount. This exclusive ‘Me & Centara’ promotion runs until 20th December 2024, for stays between 1st November 2024 and 31st October 2025. Guests who complete their stay by 20th December 2024 will also receive a voucher for a complimentary return stay of the same duration between May and September next year.
Celebration
Celebrate Oktoberfest in paradise: Sun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts week-long festivities with exclusive offers
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi invites guests to join its vibrant Oktoberfest celebration, running from September 25th to October 2nd, 2024. Set against the stunning Maldives backdrop, this week-long event promises a memorable experience packed with festive activities, mouthwatering culinary delights, and lively entertainment. Alongside the festivities, an exclusive limited-time offer is available.
The celebration kicks off on September 25th with a Beachside BBQ, where a live band will bring the perfect Oktoberfest atmosphere to the shores. The excitement continues on September 26th with a Sundown DJ Beach Party, followed by the Oktoberfest Beer Festival at Water’s Edge Bar on September 28th, featuring live music and a performance by DJ Watte. On September 29th, guests can cool down at the Oktoberfest Pool Party at Fluid, complete with a special “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” beer offer. The festivities conclude with a delectable Street Lobster BBQ on October 2nd.
Exclusive Website Offer
In celebration of both Oktoberfest and the upcoming Halloween season, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is offering a special limited-time deal. Guests can enjoy up to 30% off on all villa categories, complimentary Guided Nemo Snorkeling, a 50% discount on seaplane transfers, 20% off on spa treatments, 10% off on watersports activities, and 30% off on private destination dining experiences. Additionally, two children (up to 15 years old) can stay and dine for free on the same meal plan as their parents. Exclusive discounts on Wine Cellar dinner experiences are also available. This offer is valid for bookings made by October 28th, 2024, for stays through October 31st, 2025.
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