THE Discovery Hospitality Group is spending at least P1.2 billion to open three new resorts in 2027.
In a recent news briefing on the Philippine Accommodation Pipeline Report 2026, Discovery Hospitality Corp. (DHC) Senior Vice President and Head of Sales and Operations Lynette Ermac said, ‘Right now, we’re focusing on being present in the secondary and tertiary cities. That’s why we had to open our brand ‘KipandKin,’ which is mid-range and directly marketed to millennials.’
She explained that, ‘Discovery has always been known in the premium pricing, and we cannot open that right away in the secondary and tertiary cities until the [these] cities become a destination that will bring in the global guests, with a premium pricing level.’
She added that P600 million will be spent on opening the 34-room KipandKin in Siargao, and another P600 million for the 117-room KipandKin in El Nido, Palawan near Marimegmeg.
‘Even if it’s a mid-range brand, we want to put it in the upper scale of the mid-range brand, because we want to protect our reputation of [offering] luxury. So, but we still want to be present in this particular market segment,’ said Ermac.
The third property is as yet unnamed, but will not be owned by DHC. It will be managing ‘a very small property, less than 20 units. Unfortunately, I can’t mention the name of the property yet,’ she said.
Industry sources, however, told the BusinessMirror that the property is owned by Senator Miguel Zubiri, who said in 2024 that he was building a small private resort in Camiguin, and that he had disclosed this in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
On building a Filipino brand
The Tiu-led Discovery World Hospitality, the parent of DHC, posted a net loss of nearly P30 million in the first half of the year, a 6 percent improvement from its P82.4-million loss in the same period of 2025. Its share price closed unchanged at P0.99 a piece on Sept. 17, 2026.
DHC currently manages over 700 keys across its portfolio, which include Discovery Shores Boracay (DSB), Discovery Coron, Discovery Primea, Discovery Samal, Discovery Suites Ortigas, and Manami Resort in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.
At the news briefing, Ermac underscored that it was possible to build a Filipino brand that can compete in the global arena. ‘Discovery is competing in the luxury space. And it has always been a market leader in terms of price point. [We’re] able to dictate rates higher than international brands.’
She said when DSB was opened in 2006, the resort experience wasn’t just about driving guests to a beautiful beach. ‘[There is] a foot-washing ritual upon arrival and guests enjoy taho at breakfast. More importantly, [they] are cared for with warmth and sincerity. We treat them like family. And many eventually come to regard us in the same way. This is what Discovery can share with other hotel owners and investors: how to bring the character of a destination into the entire guest journey while maintaining consistent standards of service and experience.’
She also pointed to the Visayas and Mindanao as potential areas for investment by hotel developers. ‘A real and legitimate and world-class service should start opening in the secondary and tertiary cities.’