Discovery World builds resort for millennials

Beach resort operator Discovery World Corp. (DWC) is investing around P730 million to build a new beachfront tourism estate in El Nido to be called Vanilla Beach El Nido, which will mark its diversification into the affordable resort segment targeting budget-conscious backpackers and millennials.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday, DWC announced the group has broken ground for Vanilla Beach, which would be operated by its 84.5-percent owned subsidiary Cay Islands Corp.

The first phase of the project covers the development of a 120-key hotel, 3,400 square meters of retail space for lease and a beach club. Completion of the project is seen toward the end of 2017.

In a phone interview Wednesday, DWC chief finance officer Anna Nieva said the project was located in a five-hectare property along the stretch of El Nido’s Corong Corong beach in Las Cabanas.  The project would be developed in four phases, she added.

This was also the first time for DWC, known for its upscale resorts, to enter the more affordable category. Vanilla Beach would be offering rooms at P4,000 to P5,000 (around $100) per night.

“This is our answer to this segment (18 to 32 age group). It will be affordable yet very cozy, comfortable and modern,” said Nieva, noting the dearth of affordable room accommodations in El Nido.

The new tourism estate is around 20-25 minutes by car from Ayala group’s Lio airport and 15 to 20 minutes from the town center by tricycle.  El Nido is a 3.5-hour drive from the Puerto Princesa airport. Doris Dumlao-Abadilla