How does Singha Estate’s CROSSROADS Maldives development encourage environmental awareness?
- Mega Maldives project – first integrated lifestyle destination in the South Asian nation of 26 natural atolls – will eventually link nine reclaimed islands
- Luxury scheme comprises not only hotels and Maldives’ first luxury yacht marina, but also marine conservation centre to educate visitors about biodiversity
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After two years of construction, CROSSROADS Maldives – one of the largest leisure and lifestyle destinations in the 298- square-km (115-square-mile) South Asian nation of 26 natural atolls in the Indian Ocean – officially opened in September.
The development, situated on Emboodhoo Lagoon – eventually to link nine reclaimed islands, but with only two currently open – lies only 8km (5 miles) from the capital city of Malé and a 15-minute speedboat ride from Maldives’ main flight hub, Velana International Airport.
The mega project, built by the Thai real estate and construction company, Singha Estate, includes two hotels, Curio Collection by Hilton and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, and an impressive array of attractions, both commercial and educational.
These include the Maldives' first luxury yacht marina, The Marina @ CROSSROADS Maldives, a wide range of world-renowned restaurants, such as Cafe del Mar Maldives from Ibiza, luxury retail stores and the Maldives Discovery Centre, a cultural centre which showcases local artworks and artists.
Our company philosophy is [to] work in harmony with the environment, local businesses and the local community
While creating an outstanding tourist experience was a top priority for Singha Estate, it was equally important to educate visitors about the importance of biodiversity and conservation.
To this end, another attraction, Marine Discovery Centre, which offers snorkelling and scuba diving, features an interactive area where visitors can find out about the local ecosystem, which will become part of one of the Maldives’ largest coral conservation areas.
People visiting the centre can see the region’s most advanced marine life laboratories, where regular conservation programmes include the release of clownfish – a species featured in the Disney films Finding Nemo and Finding Dory.
Marine biologists at the centre are carrying out research studies on local sea life, as well as conducting coral propagation and running a coral curator programme for young people.
The initiatives to restore and rehabilitate the area’s damaged coral colonies are taking place over an area of 165,000 square km.
“Our company philosophy is [to] work in harmony with the environment, local businesses and the local community, Chayanin Debhakam, executive director of Singha Estate, says.
[We are] heavily involved in local education and work closely with local organisations and the government to ensure [our] impact on the area is as positive as possible. [We want] to try to help improve the quality of life in Maldives
“[We are] heavily involved in local education and work closely with local organisations and the government to ensure [our] impact on the area is as positive as possible. [We want] to try to help improve the quality of life in Maldives.”
The ultimate goal – and the reason for Singha Estates’ involvement in such a long-term project – is to ensure that the natural beauty of Maldives will continue to be enjoyed by many generations to come.
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