The Faces Behind a Reimagined Island Experience at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton

Ibrahim Farhad – Director of Retail at The Marina, CROSSROADS Maldives

With a career rooted in tourism development and destination management, Ibrahim Farhad has spent years shaping how travellers experience the Maldives. Having worked across both the public and private sectors, he has gained valuable insight into the strategic, commercial, and cultural dimensions of tourism, from national tourism planning and stakeholder engagement to hospitality operations and guest experience development. Today, as Director of Retail at The Marina, CROSSROADS Maldives, Farhad draws on that diverse expertise to help shape one of the country’s most innovative tourism concepts. His focus extends beyond traditional retail, encompassing the creation of an integrated lifestyle destination where hospitality, dining, entertainment, culture, sustainability, and community engagement come together to offer guests a richer and more immersive way to experience the Maldives.

Farhad’s approach centres on creating a destination that is not only commercially successful but also authentic and meaningful. From carefully curating a balanced mix of boutiques, restaurants, and lifestyle experiences to championing sustainability and cultural initiatives, he has been instrumental in ensuring that The Marina reflects the spirit of the Maldives. Through projects such as the Maldives Discovery Centre, Marine Discovery Centre, coral restoration programmes, local artisan collaborations, and monthly SME markets, he has helped create opportunities for guests to engage with the country’s heritage, communities, and marine environment. Looking ahead, Farhad envisions The Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives becoming internationally recognised as a leading integrated lifestyle destination, one that brings together hospitality, culture, sustainability, and authentic local experiences in a way that is uniquely Maldivian . In doing so, he believes The Marina will continue to elevate the appeal of both SAii Lagoon Maldives and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, offering travellers a richer, more connected way to experience the Maldives.

Mohamed Shizam, F&B Manager at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton

With extensive experience in food and beverage operations, Mohamed Shizam has built a career centred on elevating service standards and creating exceptional guest experiences. As F&B Service Manager at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, he oversees a dynamic dining operation within CROSSROADS Maldives, ensuring each outlet delivers high standards of hospitality while reflecting the resort’s vibrant and welcoming character. His professional journey has taken him through a variety of hospitality environments, exposing him to different dining concepts, service styles, and operational challenges. These experiences have equipped him with the expertise, leadership capabilities, and guest-focused mindset required to thrive in a resort setting. Throughout his career, Shizam has remained committed to personalised hospitality, recognising that meaningful guest connections are often what transform a memorable stay into an exceptional one.

A strong advocate for collaborative leadership, Shizam places people at the centre of every success. Managing a multicultural team in a fast-paced resort environment, he prioritises communication, mutual respect, and professional development, creating a culture where team members feel valued and empowered to perform at their best. He believes that outstanding guest experiences are the result of passionate, well-trained teams working together with confidence and purpose. His ability to balance creativity with operational discipline has been instrumental in maintaining excellence across SAii Lagoon’s diverse dining concepts, each contributing to the lifestyle offering of CROSSROADS Maldives. Through ongoing training, daily engagement, and a hands-on management approach, he ensures consistency across every touchpoint while encouraging innovation and continuous improvement. By staying closely connected to both guests and colleagues, Shizam continues to strengthen the resort’s reputation for personalised dining experiences. His dedication to service excellence plays a key role in shaping the guest journey at SAii Lagoon Maldives and enhancing the broader appeal of CROSSROADS Maldives as a lifestyle destination.

For more information and bookings, please visit https://www.saiihotels.com/lagoon-maldives/