The ultimate luxury hospitality, Cora Cora Maldives, confirmed that the ambitious five-year coral restoration project had reached the final phase. This achievement marks the pinnacle of the resort's signature ethos "It's Freedom Time," since it interprets that the genuine freedom comes with tremendous responsibility toward our shared environment.
It is Freedom Time"-a mantra, not just a slogan-but the guiding philosophy in every touch point of the guest experience. The effort to rebuild corals underscores commitment to five-star luxury but also responsibility for ensuring the safeguarding of the natural beauty that makes this a destination like no other.
Freedom Footprints: A Sustainable Legacy
It forms the core of Cora Cora Maldives' Freedom Footprints Sustainability Programme, which uses the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) Certified Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS). It will restore coral reefs but will come along with a new standard of sustainable luxury hospitality practices.
Spearheaded by Managing Director Martin van der Reijden and General Manager Justin Swart, every head of department at Cora Cora Maldives has led by example and been actively participating in the restoration activities along with guests, partners, and the resort's dedicated staff of Freedom Fighters.".
"At Cora Cora Maldives, we truly believe that 'It's Freedom Time' is more than just a mantra; it's the way of life. True freedom brings responsibility with it, and as guardians of this stunningly beautiful natural environment, there is so much toward which we are committed toward preserving it for generations.".
Meaningful steps towards living in harmony with nature include initiatives such as our Coral Restoration Plan and the Freedom Footprints Sustainability Program, said Martin van der Reijden, Managing Director of Cora Cora Maldives. He believes that these programs really reflect the core belief that the best way to celebrate freedom and embark on sustainability path together is for all guests to enjoy their experience knowing that we are also making a positive impact.
Other moments may focus on allowing guests to participate in coral restoration efforts at the resort: combining luxury adventures with meaningful environmental work. So, freedom to indulge in world-leading facilities and services is a precious bonus of contribution to an extremely worthy cause.
"The Coral Restoration Program at Cora Cora Maldives is a testament that true freedom comes with responsibility in protecting and nurturing the beauty of nature around us.".
This forms a massive part of our Freedom Footprints Sustainability Program, guaranteeing our guests have the freedom to relax, discover, and celebrate life in a resort that cares about living in harmony with nature. It is, in fact, an opportunity for us all to give back to the environment that gives us so much. This is what makes life complete, said Justin Swart, General Manager of Cora Cora Maldives.
This project completed the first phase of a five-year coral restoration program for Mars Global and was targeted to become the second-largest site after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Key Project Highlights
There are two Focal Sites. The project is being carried on the two main focus areas that were strategically chosen due to their ecological importance on the island.
Reef Stars : Reef Stars are given fragments of corals which have been broken off by natural forces and which have been unable to reconnect themselves to the reef.
Second Chance for Corals : Instead of letting the "fragments of opportunity" die, Cora Cora Maldives collects them and plants them on the Reef Stars with a new hope.
A Global Partnership for Local Impact: Cora Cora Maldives in partnership with Mars Global Sustainable Solutions enables the resort to carry out its Assisted Coral Restoration methodology. This partnership forms the underpinning of the resort's commitment to the protection of marine systems through best practices everywhere across the globe. Marine Biologist Giulia Morello was trained in Malaysia from where she would tap into expert knowledge around the world for her mission of rejuvenating fragile ecosystems within the marine environment.
It also postures itself as a Centre of Excellence in coral restoration under the mentorship of Morello and Diving and Watersports Manager Marcus Goh. This can be viewed as part of training not only the "Freedom Fighters" but islands and other resorts around the region so that they could multiply the effect of this effort, beyond its resort borders.
It's at least as much a community engagement and education process as it is a scientific intervention. Tying a bit of coral to learning about the marine ecosystem-all guests, staff, and local communities are encouraged to participate and be involved.
Adopt-a-Reef star program: Guests shall be fully involved in a productive action when building a reef star that will contribute to improve the growth of the reef habitats.
Future Prospect: A Five-Year Roadmap
The resort shall look forward to subsequent phases once Cora Cora Maldives marks the end of the first phase of coral restoration. The five-year roadmap include:
Increase in the area size of restored reefs
Monitoring and study on a regular basis to evaluate the output of the project.
Guest educational programs on marine conservation
Involvement of the local communities in boosting the benefit multiplier of the restoration project beyond the resort.
"At Cora Cora Maldives, our vision is to become one of the iconic symbols of sustainability in the Maldives, with constant innovation to protect and enhance the natural surroundings. Initiatives such as the Coral Restoration Program build legacies for generations ahead to enjoy rather than mere preservation of today's beauty." End
Actually, guests at Cora Cora Maldives are part of a transformation journey. Be it corals being planted or marine biology workshops, each visitor forming part of Freedom Footprints gets to witness rejuvenated reefs.
The five-year plan will involve expansion work in restoration, frontline-cutting research, and guest and local community engagement in marine conservation. This puts into perspective the balance of liberty and responsibility as far as Cora Cora is concerned-holding the ocean's natural wonders as priceless treasures but hosting unforgettable experiences for guests.
