PAL™ Model of Crystal Lagoons Revolutionizes World’s Largest Entertainment Trade Show

With its Public Access Lagoons™ model, also known as PAL™ projects, Crystal Lagoons was a highlight at the world’s most important entertainment industry event, the IAAPA Expo, held in Orlando, USA.

In fact, the booth where the multinational showcased its revolutionary public access developments was selected by the event organizers with the IAAPA Brass Ring Best Exhibit Award, considered one of the industry’s most prestigious honors. The evaluation, with more than 100 applicants, was based on the booth design, branding, product, and overall appeal.

Crystal Lagoons presented the new standard being set by its PAL™ projects as a meeting point and urban entertainment and entertainment industry, which is growing annually and generates more than US$ 360,000 billion.

“The presence at IAAPA Expo confirms the entertainment value of PAL™ complexes, bringing idyllic beach life to any place in the world with hundreds of entertainment activities, culture, and services. These developments attract a massive number of visitors and increase the profitability of entertainment parks, theme parks, aquatic parks, aquariums, zoos, malls, etc., generating an entertainment hub,” explains Ivan Manzur, Senior Vice President of Sales for Crystal Lagoons US Corp.

Near 40,000 executives, developers and operators of theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, and other projects from around the world attended this entertainment summit. The event is organized by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), a corporation with over 100 years of existence and nearly 7,000 members from more than 100 countries.

With more than 800 PAL™ projects in different stages of development and negotiation around the world, the centerpiece of these complexes is their monumental crystalline lagoons and white sandy beaches, which can be accessed via ticketed entry. They are suitable for swimming and water sports, giving life to countless activities, including inflatable parks, trade shows, beach parties, concerts, flow boarding, yoga boards, water slides, cliff jumps, mapping shows, water light shows, and outdoor cinema, among many others.

In line with the environmental concerns of the entertainment industry, PAL™ projects are eco-friendly. An average one-hectare lagoon consumes 40% less water than a park or green area of the same size, 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course, and can use any type of water. Crystal Lagoons® amenities consume only 2% of the energy required by conventional pool filtration systems and use up to 100 times less chemicals than a traditional swimming pool.

In addition, these developments allow a reduction of more than 40% in the carbon footprint (14 million tons of CO2 per year) of the tourism and transport industries by decreasing travel to coastal destinations by around 50%, a fact recognized by various international awards such as the Green Apple Award and Champion of Champions Awards.

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Once again, the prestigious international entertainment, travel, and tourism guide Time Out has turned its attention to the Crystal Lagoons Treasure Bay project on the idyllic island of Bintan, Indonesia. Its recent edition of recommendations on what to see, do, and experience highlighted this project as essential to include in travelers’ itineraries and a must-visit in the region due to its unique features, as the largest crystalline lagoon in Southeast Asia with sustainable Crystal Lagoons® technology spanning 15.5 acres, equivalent to 50 Olympic-size swimming pools, surrounded by 1,400 meters of white sandy beaches.

Time Out recommended this project developed under the Public Access Lagoons™ model, also known as PAL™ developments, emphasizing the variety of aquatic experiences that can be enjoyed across its 222 acres, allowing visitors to indulge in beach life year-round with options for dining, spa, shopping, entertainment, and nightlife. Within the artificial lagoon, an oasis of turquoise waters, visitors can partake in water sports such as bungee jumping, cable water skiing, boating, slides, paddleboarding, kayaking, and wakeboarding.

With its monumental body of water, Treasure Bay has established itself as a unique experience on the paradise island of Bintan, Indonesia. Bintan, known for its nearly 3,000 islands, strategically faces Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It offers many tourist attractions, including world-class golf courses, hiking, elephant parks, eco-farms, luxury spas, and beach activities.

This PAL™ development is surrounded by 1,400 meters of white sandy beaches, with a length of 800 meters and reaching a maximum depth of 2.5 meters. It offers various water recreation experiences, including bungee jumping, cable water skiing, boat rides, water slides, paddle boarding, kayaking, and wakeboarding. The artificial lagoon allows visitors to enjoy beach life year-round with dining options, spas, shops, entertainment, and nightlife.PAL™ projects, which anyone can access for an entrance fee, transform any site into a year-round entertainment hub with more than 125 activities that can take place in the lagoon itself or its surroundings.

Crystal Lagoons® technology is revolutionizing the hotel industry and changing the paradigm of vacation developments. Major international hotel chains such as Marriott, Radisson, Conrad, Hyatt Regency, and AVA recognize the transformative value of crystalline lagoons. They have incorporated this amenity as a critical element in their projects, making them more attractive destinations.

In association with the prestigious AVA hotel chain, Crystal Lagoons is developing an iconic project that will become the most prominent luxury resort in Cancun, centered around a monumental 2.8-acre crystalline lagoon surrounded by white sandy beaches. This artificial lagoon with turquoise waters will allow guests to enjoy exclusive floating cabins and various water activities in a unique environment.  

When it opens in June 2024, AVA Resort Cancún will be an innovative luxury destination just 10 minutes from Cancun International Airport and along the city’s most extensive commercial promenade. It will be a landmark in Mexican tourism and Cancun, the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula and a regional cultural, financial, and tourist hub.

This beachfront oasis, with all rooms facing the sea, will offer experiences for all ages and various accommodation options, from elegant rooms to spacious villas, all with breathtaking views of the Mexican Caribbean. Six pools, a water park for children, and first-class beach services ensure relaxation and fun. Additionally, high-end boutiques and local shops will provide exclusive shopping options.

Crystal Lagoons is a pioneer in sustainability and innovation. It will offer an idyllic beach landscape to enjoy a lively life around the lagoon. Guests can relax in one or four water cabins or engage in non-motorized water sports, all in the same body of water”, said Ash Tembe, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for North America at AIC Hotel Group.

Around the world, the concept and technology of Crystal Lagoons® have become the leading sales attraction, positively impacting its commercial success. Despite the credit and real estate challenges in the current economic conditions, Crystal Lagoons projects continue to defy the market with very impressive sales figures, particularly in the United States. The rankings from real estate consulting firms RCLCO and John Burns on the best-selling master-planned communities once again demonstrated that crystalline lagoons are a powerful purchasing driver. SunterraMiradaWindsong Ranch, and Epperson secured prominent positions in 2023.

These projects ranked among the top 50 best-selling communitiesFlorida leads the ranking within the list, representing close to 40% of the sales for all top-ranked developments, followed by Texas with 37%. In both states, Crystal Lagoons has a significant presence.

In Texas, Sunterra stands out as a project that, even though the crystalline lagoon has not been built yet, serves as a commercial driver within the community, generating sales rates higher than the average, with a significant increase of 63% compared to 2022. This placed it 3rd nationally in both rankings, further boosting the strong performance of Houston, the top-selling metropolitan area in the country. Sunterra’s positive sales results had already been recorded in previous reports.

With the largest amenity powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology in the United States, Mirada in Florida, inaugurated in 2023, sets another record. With an 89% increase in sales, it ranks 17th. Its 15 acres of turquoise waters and white sandy beaches are a buying trigger.

Another notable project in Texas is Windsong Ranch, which has consistently set sales records, ranking 29th in the John Burns ranking. The project has also been nationally awarded as “Master Planned Community of the Year,” among other recognitions.

On the other hand, Epperson in Florida also ranked prominently in both studies, a commercial trend registered since its inauguration as a real estate project. The interest it generated was so significant that it had to be opened to the Public Access Lagoons™ model, also known as PAL™ developments.

The United States is the main operation of Crystal Lagoons worldwide, and it has more than 275 projects at different stages of development and negotiation. Among the most important are Mirada, Sole Mia, Balmoral, Windsong Ranch, Beachwalk, Southshore Bay, Aqua, among others. The recent joint venture to develop four Public Access Lagoons™ complexes, also known as PAL™, in Texas stands out and will add to the successful public access developments Epperson (Florida) and Lago Mar (Texas).

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