CORAL WORLD PARK UNDERSEA RESORTS INC. AND VIACOM INTERNATIONAL MEDIA NETWORKS COLLABORATE TO DEVELOP A NEW NICKELODEON RESORT AND ATTRACTION
WORLD’S FIRST UNDERSEA ATTRACTION TO BE BUILT IN ASIA
PHILIPPINES/ SINGAPORE, 9 JANUARY 2017 – Viacom International Media Networks' (VIMN) global kids brand Nickelodeon today announced their collaboration with Asia’s first underwater resort developer, Coral World Park Undersea Resorts Inc., to develop a new Nickelodeon Resort and Attraction in the Philippines. The Nickelodeon undersea attraction and resort will be part of Coral World Park (CWP), a 400-hectare undersea-themed masterplanned development in Western Philippine province of Coron, Palawan. With an expected opening in 2020, Nickelodeon’s first resort in Southeast Asia is slated to have 70 hectares set aside for the resort’s accommodation and 30 hectares for the themed attraction.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Coral World Park to open the world’s first undersea attraction and Nickelodeon’s first resort in Southeast Asia as we continue to expand on our theme-based attractions in Asia and across the world,” said Gerald Raines, Senior Vice President, Global Recreation for Viacom International Media Networks. “This is yet another important step in boosting the Nickelodeon entertainment experience as we continue to give our fans, kids and their families, new ways to interact with the brand and the iconic characters they love.”
“Creating immersive on-the-ground consumer experiences are increasingly important. Hence, growing the recreational and consumer products footprint of the Nickelodeon brand in Asia Pacific is a priority for us. I am delighted this collaboration will add another Nickelodeon themed attraction in Asia, which will in turn give a significant business opportunity for our partners across multiple platforms,” said Mark Whitehead, President and Managing Director of Viacom International Media Network Asia Pacific.
The 100-hectare Nickelodeon undersea attraction and resort, which will be inspired by some of Nickelodeon’s most iconic properties like SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Dora the Explorer, will advocate ocean protection. It will also feature one-of-its-kind resort dining experience with CWP’s trademark underwater restaurants and lounges, which will be located about 20 feet below sea level with vivid views of the world beneath the ocean.
The Nickelodeon undersea attraction and resort will be located amidst a cluster of 16 white sand islands of the CWP. With a distance of 5 to 20 minutes apart by speedboat, visitors can expect a multi-island experience within CWP that includes island hopping, hidden lagoons, hot springs, an animal reserve and world-class diving amidst shipwrecks. When completed, CWP will be the largest coral reef conservation program in Asia, with Asia’s largest marine sanctuary for five key species – dolphins, sea cows, sea horses, turtles and whale sharks. Its Ocean Protection program is jointly funded by the Monaco based Dr. AB Moñozca Foundation and its CWP Trust, and supported by global personalities advocating awareness on climate change. CWP will open in phases starting 2018 and is within a three to six hour radius to major cities within Asia.
Paul Moñozca, Chairman of Coral World Park Undersea Resorts Inc., said: “The Nickelodeon undersea attraction and resort will be exciting additions to Coral World Park and I am delighted we are collaborating with Viacom international Media Networks to create this unique undersea themed family experience.”
The announcement marks another milestone in Nickelodeon’s continued growth strategy in Asia. Early last year, Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon, the first Nickelodeon theme park in Asia was opened at Sunway Lagoon in Malaysia. The new Philippines location will take its place alongside other Nickelodeon-branded attractions around the world, which will include recently announced attractions: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Land at Dream Island in Moscow, Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream in the U.S., a Nickelodeon land inside the newly-announced IMG Worlds of Legends theme park in Dubai, newly-opened Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic; Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon in Malaysia; Nickelodeon Land at Parque de Atracciones de Madrid in Spain; Nickelodeon Universe in Minneapolis' Mall of America in the US; SeaWorld on the Gold Coast in Queensland and Wet’n’Wild Sydney in Australia; Nickelodeon Land at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the UK; Nickland at Movie Park in Germany.
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About Coral World Park Undersea Resorts Inc.
The Coral World Park (CWP) is the largest Marine Reserve in Asia, comprising a cluster of 16 islands located in the western Philippines. It stretches 15,000 square miles from Coron town in the north to Puerto Princesa in the South with its center at the town of San Vicente in the province of Palawan.
The CWP was started in 2011 by the Singapore based Dr. AB Moñozca Foundation to address the conservation of coral reefs and its marine life amidst the threat of global warming and other issues threatening its pristine condition. The project is part of the foundation’s advocacy on Ocean Protection.
The CWP is part of the Coral Triangle of Asia, the center and nursery of marine life on planet earth. It hosts 76% of reef-building coral species, 35% of coral reef fish species together with 15 lakes, 42 ponds, 44 waterfalls, 72 natural springs, 9 mineral springs, 28 principal rivers, 43 streams and 165 creeks. Its islands are mystical with limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons and white sand beaches. Other attractions include an animal reserve and over 40 World War II Japanese shipwrecks, making it the leading dive site in the region.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company’s portfolio includes television programming and production around the world, plus special events, consumer products, digital offerings, recreation, books, feature films and pro-social initiatives. Nickelodeon's brands reach 1.1 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 160 countries and territories, via more than 80+ locally programmed channels and branded blocks. Outside of the United States, Nickelodeon is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. For more information about Nickelodeon in Asia, visit www.nick-asia.com.
About Viacom International Media Networks
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, MTV LIVE HD, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, Paramount Channel, and more. Viacom brands reach more than 3.8 billion cumulative subscribers in 180+ countries and territories via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties, in 40 languages. Keep up with VIMN news by visiting the VIMN PR Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/VIMN_PR. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com, blog.viacom.com and the Viacom Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.
UPDATE: Coral World Park Undersea Resorts Inc. has clarified in a statement, below via Rappler, following reports that Viacom International Media Networks and CWP's plans for a Nickelodeon Resort and Attraction in the Philippines has caused alarm among environmentalists that it is not building anything underwater, and that Viacom and CWP are planning to build a "resort and attraction," not a theme park, as has been reported in the media.
In a statement, Susan Lee, marketing and communications director of the CWP, said: "There has never been any form of communication from our side mentioning a theme park. Our plans are to build a resort and attraction, of which we are designing as an undersea attraction with an ocean conservation focus – this is reflected in the press release with Viacom International Media Networks."
The statement also said only 100 hectares was allocated for its Nickelodeon facility, with up to 30 hectares allocated for the attraction, "which has not been finalized yet."
"The only infrastructure in the water is floating and all developments are on land. The 'undersea themed' Coral World Park is land-based but is designed to meet the international standards required as a global destination especially environment-related standards advocating conservation tourism, renewable energy and category 5 proof architecture," the statement added.
The firm said it will secure all the necessary government approvals before starting with the construction. The facility will be built on private property, it added.
"This project is 5 years in the making and coordinated with the relevant officials of the Philippine government," CWP added.
More Nick: Viacom Breaks Ground On First Nickelodeon Theme Park In China!
Photo via Travel Daily Asia.
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