Crossroads Maldives, an integrated entertainment destination developed and operated by S Hotels and Resorts, is helping to bring in more conferences and incentives to the Maldives.
Crossroads Maldives’ cluster director of sales & marketing, David Arul Pragasam, told TTGmice that the integrated resort has been seeing a large number of incentive groups and corporate events post-lockdown.
He added: “We are confident that this positive trend will continue, as we are already receiving plenty of enquiries and providing quotes for 2024 and 2025.”
The recent Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023, held from May 30 to June 2 at the Crossroads Maldives, was a clear demonstration of both the destination and the integrated resort’s ability to welcome major business events. Conference delegates were accommodated across Crossroads Maldives’ two resorts, the SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. Together, both resorts offer more than 350 rooms, suites and villas.
Besides the 326m2 The Event Hall @ Crossroads, event planners have plenty of dining and flexible venue options across the integrated resort.
Furthermore, Crossroads Maldives is accessible via a 15-minute speedboat ride from the international airport and capital city Malé, allowing large groups to bypass the seaplane option.
Traditionally a honeymoon and weddings destination, the Maldives is undergoing a perception change through Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation’s (MMPRC) efforts to position it for corporate groups.
Government initiatives to grow the business events industry include a new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport with improved efficiency in handling higher passenger traffic, and an advanced Passport Control System to streamline the arrival process and reduce waiting times, said David Arul.
The Maldivian government has also introduced a policy which designates islands and sandbanks as public spaces, so as to provide unique settings for excursions, teambuilding activities and social events.
When asked what more is needed for event organisers to recognise the Maldives as a serious business events destination, David Arul opined that greater mobility and air accessibility would go a long way in helping to attract corporate groups from more countries to the Maldives.
