The development of leisure and recreation integrated resorts is a new concept for tourism in the Maldives.

The recently announced Emboodhoo Lagoon resort project is set to develop new facilities wholly on reclaimed land. The lagoon, which has been left unutilized for the past thousands of years, is now being flipped for commercial return.

[caption id="attachment_464" align="alignright" width="300"] Hard Rock Cafe' - a winner in Leisure[/caption]

In the heart of the Emboodhoo Lagoon property is a yacht marina and a township. The township has a galaxy of franchises designed to provide new and different experiences for visitors and locals alike. Among the franchises is Hard Rock Café’ which is bound to bring lot of excitement and flavor to leisure activity. It is also connected to a beach club which will offer the appeal and delights of the white sandy beaches that have become the hallmark of the Maldives tourism trade.

[caption id="attachment_465" align="alignleft" width="300"] Singha Estate Investment Portfolio[/caption]

The company behind the Emboodhoo Lagoon project, Singha Estate Public Company Limited, is a young a vibrant enterprise which has distinguished itself in the property market through the distinct array of products it is known to offer. Singha Estate is a Public listed company in Thai Stock Exchange.

The leisure and recreation concept upon which the new facility is being built is predicted to attract a new segment of tourists to the Maldives. The country has traditionally offered a laid-back holiday concept which has been appealing to the baby boomer generation of the western markets and honeymooners. However, Emboodhoo Lagoon integrated resort is set to cater to millennials and is seeking to make Maldives more relevant to the younger generation and the changing times.

The Maldives middle class is increasing. This is evident in the number of locals who flock to resorts and guest houses during local holidays. To capitalize on the demand created by the increased purchasing power of the resident market, some resorts and hotels now offer special packages to local holidaymakers and work permit holders.

Alongside a growing local tourism segment that is willing to utilize these services, I believe that the new township and recreational activities in the integrated property will also be appealing to the local market.

At the ground breaking ceremony of the Emboodhoo Lagoon project, the Chief Investment Officer of Singha Estate Mr. Thiti Thongbenjamas pointed out how Maldives is becoming a more frequent visiting destination for travelers.

I believe that he was referring to the decrease in the number of average days the tourist spends in the country and the increase in the frequency of tourists visiting the country. Holidaymakers from Asia Pacific are also increasing in the Maldives and some traveler’s now prefer to travel just to spend their weekends. Maldives is now not only a high-end tourist destination and the range of segments it serves is starting to broaden.

The change in the frequency of arrivals, the shift in the tourism market and the broadening of the range of services that the tourism industry must provide indicates that the dynamics of the tourism industry in the Maldives is changing and that the industry must adapt to these changing times.

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