Discover the vibrant marine world captured by award-winning photographer, Greg Lecoeur, at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives and Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius
Corals reefs, pods of dolphins, tropical fish, sea turtles, hammerhead sharks and majestic manta rays will swim through Shangri-La’s European properties this autumn as part of the “Ocean Encounters” photographic exhibition created by Greg Lecoeur. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts commissioned the National Geographic award-winning photographer to capture the beauty of the underwater worlds of Shangri-La’s resorts in the Maldives and Mauritius. With this exclusive series of images, the group hopes to inspire visitors to learn more about the Indian Ocean environment and how to protect this vitally important ecosystem.
The “Ocean Encounters” exhibition will run at Shangri-La Hotel, Paris from October 29 to November 22, 2019, and at Shangri‑La Hotel, At The Shard, London from October 30 to November 15, 2019. In Paris, 20 large-scale photographs will be on view throughout the ground floor public areas of the palace hotel open for all guests to enjoy.In London, visitors to The Shard will be able to view 15 of Lecoeur’s photographs with five exhibited at the ground entrance to the hotel, five in the reception lobby on the 35thfloor and five displayed in the Sky Lounge on the 34th floor. The underwater photography displayed will feature manta rays, colorful surgeon fish indigenous to the Maldivian coral reef, endangered hawksbill turtles, humpback whales breeding in Mauritian waters, and many other fascinating marine encounters showcasing the diverse life of the Indian Ocean. Following the European shows, the exhibition will travel home to be exhibited at the group’s Indian Ocean resorts where the images were captured.
All photographic prints created by Greg Leceour and exhibited across the four hotels will be available for purchase and priced from EUR250 to 850 (about USD275 to 935). Benefitting the region’s marine ecosystem, 100 percent of the proceeds of each sale will go towards SANCTUARY, Shangri-La’s Care for Nature project to support the regeneration of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean.
To further enhance the aquatic experience, visitors to Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London and Shangri-La Hotel, Paris can enjoy ocean-inspired cocktails created by each hotel’s talented bar teams. At Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London, the team at GŌNG Bar have created “The Azure” cocktail, priced at GBP18 (about USD22), is made with bergamot-infused gin, Blue Curacao, saline solution and sea samphire. While Paris’s Le Bar Botaniste team have concocted “The Nautilus”, priced at EUR27 (about USD30), made with oyster leaf–infused gin, dill-infused vodka, Noilly Prat and smoked salt. In Paris, the CHI, The Spa therapists have also created a 60-minute Indian Ocean inspired treatment to bring the relaxed atmosphere of the islands to the city’s 16th arrondissement. A percentage of the proceeds from the cocktails and spa treatments will also benefit the SANCTUARY fund to protect the Indian Ocean coral reefs.
Sharing the beauty of the marine environment and inspiring its protection is a cause close to Lecoeur’s heart and one nurtured since his childhood in Nice on the Mediterranean Sea. Lecoeur has traveled throughout the globe training his lens on the teeming communities of life underwater to share his experiences with the public and raise awareness of the fragility of our ecosystems and the need to preserve biodiversity. His work has won numerous awards, including National Geographic “Nature Photographer of the Year” in 2016.
“We are thrilled to have had Greg visit our wonderful resorts in the Maldives and Mauritius and that he had the opportunity to explore the thrilling marine life of both islands,” said John Northen, executive vice president – Middle East, India and Indian Ocean, Shangri-La Group. “His extraordinary photographs capture the stunning beauty that surrounds our resorts and we hope this will inspire travelers to discover the natural wonders of the Indian Ocean for themselves.”
Launched in 2010 with the aim of making a concerted effort towards biodiversity conservation and habitat protection, SANCTUARY, Shangri-La’s Care for Nature project, protects the local habitats of numerous Shangri-La properties throughout the globe.Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives’ Reef Care project focuses on replanting fragmented corals to regenerate the reefs. The resort has successfully planted over 2,000 healthy corals, which are essential for underwater biodiversity.
“The waters surrounding the resorts in the Maldives and Mauritius are teeming with life, creating incredible opportunities to encounter marine animals; a true underwater paradise for divers,” said Lecoeur. “Through sharing my photography of this underwater world, I am proud to contribute to Shangri-La’s SANCTUARY project to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity protection.”
A haven for sea life including turtles, dolphins and hammerhead sharks, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives is perfect for both beginner underwater explorers and experienced divers. Travelers can discover a myriad of life snorkeling in the house reef or can explore further afield and further underwater at over 25 world-class dive locations surrounding the private island, including the British Loyalty shipwreck.
During his time in the Indian Ocean, Lecoeur also explored the stunning marine life of Mauritius at Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa. Located on the most secluded bay in Mauritius and boasting its own private island, the resort offers multiple opportunities to discover nature and underwater life. Mauritian waters are home to brightly colored tropical fish, sperm whales, dolphins and whale sharks. Almost completely encircled by a barrier coral reef, travelers can explore hundreds of diving sites, shipwrecks dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and a dramatic topography including grand caverns, caves and arches, which, when the light filters through, offer incredible sights.
For more information on Shangri-La’ SANCTUARY project, click here.
For a sneak peek of Greg Lecoeur’s underwater photoshoot in the Indian Ocean click here. For preview images of the photography to be exhibited at ‘Ocean Encounters’ click here.
About Shangri-La Group
Shangri-La Group is one of the world’s premier developers, owners and operators of hotel and investment properties which comprises office buildings, commercial real estate and serviced apartments/residences. The Group’s other principal activities include hotel management services as well as property development for sale. It currently owns and/or manages over 100 hotels globally in more than 70 destinations under the Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders brands. Prominently positioned in Asia, the Group has a substantial pipeline of upcoming hotel and mixed-use development projects in Australia, Bahrain, Mainland China, Cambodia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media