A recreational picnic park for residents of the congested Maldives capital is under development at the Crossroads multi-island leisure destination near Malé.
An agreement was signed between S Hotels and Resorts – the global hospitality company of Crossroads’ developer Singha Estate – and the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to develop a waterfront area with three hectares of open space and facilities for up to 500 people, including 200 metres of public beach, a mosque, large gardens, multiple barbecue areas and beach huts. The park is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2022.
“We are delighted to start work on the Picnic Park, which will become an important recreational facility for the people of Malé. All too often, local people do not feel the benefits of tourism. This problem is especially common in island resort areas, where visitors are often separated from their hosts. At S Hotels & Resorts, we want to do things a little differently,” said Dirk De Cuyper, CEO, S Hotels & Resorts.
“CROSSROADS Maldives is a fully-integrated lifestyle destination where guests can enjoy world-class tourism experiences while also connecting with the Maldivian population and learning about their culture. By weaving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into our operations, we strive to make a real difference to people’s lives and have a long-term positive impact wherever we do business.”
Located in the Emboodhoo lagoon about 15 minutes from Malé, Crossroads is accessible by a short ferry ride for picnic-goers from the capital, a densely populated island that lacks a natural beach. Visitors can stroll around The Marina @ CROSSROADS – which includes diverse dining options, retail stores, wellness centres, water sports, diving, kids’ clubs, and a 30-berth yacht marina – as well as the Maldives Discovery Centre dedicated to local culture, arts and craft and the Marine Discovery Centre dedicated to underwater ecosystems. According to S Hotels, the centre’s marine biologist will host regular talks at the Picnic Park on key issues such as climate change and zero waste to educate society about the importance of conservation.
CROSSROADS Maldives is also home to two resorts: SAii Lagoon Maldives, a five-star lifestyle retreat, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, the iconic music-themed brand’s first Maldivian property. Construction is underway on the project’s third resort, which will be home to SO/ Maldives.
