50 years of Furanafushi Island: Sheraton Maldives pays tribute

Maldives’ Furanafushi Island, where Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is located, is celebrating 50 years of hospitality, while continuing to support the preservation of the natural resources and the development of the local community.

Amidst the transformation of the tourism landscape, redefining how consumers travel, stay, and experience throughout their journeys, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is marking the island’s golden jubilee by looking back at where it all began, and using key learnings to lay the groundwork for the next 50 years of Furanafushi.

The Evolution of the Island

The Maldivian archipelago was first introduced to the world as a travel hotspot in the early 1970s, at which point it had almost no tourism infrastructure and hardly any investment into it as a destination.

Today, the Maldives, which comprises almost 1,200 tiny, pristine islands, has become synonymous with barefoot luxury, secluded retreats, and breathtaking scenery.

Furanafushi itself holds a storied history, initially serving as a picnic destination for residents of Male before being transformed into a resort. It later became known as Australia Island and was widely marketed under the tagline, ‘Found! A Lost Paradise’.

In December 1973, the island welcomed the 56-key Sheraton Maldives, originally named Furana, as the fifth resort in the entire Maldivian archipelago. Underscoring the destination’s early commitment to enhancing the stay experience, clocks were regularly kept an hour early in Furana to give guests more time than they expected.

In April 1976, the island resort shifted under the management of Wayne Reid, one of Australia’s best-known sports administrators, in a five-year lease that served as a catalyst for an influx of investment and expansion.

The early days of Furanafushi and Sheraton Maldives Resort & Spa are a testament to the growth of the island and its ongoing influence on the appeal of the Maldives as a bucket list travel destination, a statement said.

As the resort evolves with the industry, it maintains its heritage and remains dedicated to preserving both its own history, and the history of its surroundings, it added.

Fostering Meaningful Connections

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa said it has the responsibility to support the community it operates in, positively impacting island life and consciously developing solutions that preserve the island’s natural elements.

To foster meaningful connections within the local community, the hotel said it consistently extends invitations to schools, providing students with valuable insights into the dynamic world of the hospitality industry.

This initiative, it said, not only aligns with their career aspirations but also serves as a platform to introduce them to a commitment to sustainability.

During the celebration of Ramadan, the hotel invites organisations such as the Fiyavathi Orphanage in Hulhumale, to foster a sense of community and shared joy.

Sustainable Initiatives

In an effort to protect the resort’s natural surroundings and the island it calls home, it has implemented several sustainable initiatives.

Adopt A Coral programme encourages guests to get involved in the art of coral preservation. Over 6,000 coral fragments from 15 different coral species rescued from Gulhi Falhu, have been given a second chance to thrive and have been transplanted on coral pyramids at the resort.

The resort is also committed to reducing plastic waste via its innovative water bottling plant initiative. The hotel's water bottling facility uses cutting-edge reverse osmosis technology to purify seawater, eliminating the need for water transportation from the mainland.

For the last 50 years, Furanafushi has been a home to Maldivian residents and wildlife, and has also served as a getaway for visitors from around the world. In return, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa said it has remained committed to fostering that celebrated tranquillity and meeting the evolving needs of the surrounding community and the diversified expectations of guests.

Staying Ahead of the Hospitality Curve

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa remains ahead of the hospitality curve in terms of sustainability initiatives, leveraging its synergetic relationship with the natural surroundings to educate guests and elevate its eco-conscious offerings.

The resort embraces modern technology to contribute to its efforts, including using AI-powered cameras to identify areas of food waste disposal, innovative air conditioning systems that automatically adapt room temperatures to reduce energy consumption, and gardens that produce vegetables and herbs, as well as watermelon and cucumber crops.

The hotel said it is continuing to drive forward-thinking solutions that will pioneer green tourism around the world, with plans to implement a biogas plant to transform food waste into gas for kitchen stoves and a vibrant chicken farm to produce organic eggs and meat on-site.

The Next 50 Years

In the next 50 years, while Furanafushi continues to shape its attraction on the global stage, establish its position among neighbouring islands, and support the local community, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa said it will actively participate in the protection, preservation, and promotion of the island.

To honour the history of Furanafushi, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa said it will stand as a beacon of authentic Maldivian hospitality, inviting guests and residents alike to join its journey of tropical transformation. TradeArabia News Service

* Mohamed El Aghoury is General Manager, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa