Kevin Tan bringing Vegas-style vibes to Boracay

Kevin Tan Aims to Bring Vegas Vibes to Boracay—But Keep It Boutique

Manila, July 2025 – Kevin Andrew L. Tan, president and CEO of Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) and chairman of Belmont Holdings’ Travellers International Hotel Group, is charting a new chapter in Philippine tourism: infusing Boracay with curated Vegas‑style glamour—without compromising its iconic island ambience.

In a series of recent interviews and summit keynote remarks, Tan confirmed that AGI is investing approximately US $300 million to develop Boracay World Resorts, a boutique integrated resort and casino within its 150‑hectare Boracay NewCoast township. Scheduled to open by the end of 2025, the property is envisioned as a tasteful fusion of island serenity and cosmopolitan sophistication—more “refined lounge” than “massive strip mega‑resort”.

Tan emphasizes that the property will be intentionally scaled to fit Boracay’s natural environment. “It’s not going to be very big. It’s like a boutique casino… because we don’t want a big structure in Boracay. We want it to be just right for the island,” he told reporters.

Located in AGI’s Boracay NewCoast—a resort community already boasting nearly 2,000 hotel rooms, a dedicated 1‑kilometre pilot beach, and the island’s only 18‑hole Graham Marsh‑designed golf course—the new resort will complement and elevate existing facilities. It will feature freestanding villas and hotel suites arranged in a sprawling yet low-rise layout that reflects a more sustainable and integrated design approach.

But what exactly does “Vegas vibes” mean when applied to Boracay? According to insiders, the resort will offer world-class leisure and entertainment amenities—such as a boutique casino, refined nightlife experiences, curated dining, poolside shows, and exclusive lounge areas—without overwhelming the island’s relaxed, sun‑soaked atmosphere.

“With Boracay World Resorts, we aim to elevate the island’s appeal to tourists from all over the globe,” Tan said, stressing that the concept is meant to be a tasteful enhancement rather than a full‑scale urban casino hub.

The move is part of AGI’s wider strategy to expand integrated resort operations beyond Metro Manila. The company is also building Mactan World Resorts in Cebu—a larger US $400 million project expected to begin operations by 2026, and projected to create more than 5,000 jobs for the local workforce.

Kevin Tan, ranked No. 19 in the 2024 Asian Gaming Power 50, sees Boracay as the next logical destination for boutique luxury hospitality in the Philippines. “We’re very excited about Boracay… that’s the next resort that we will probably be opening. We are already in the planning stages,” he shared during a keynote address at the IAG Academy Summit.

Unlike mega‑casinos in Las Vegas or Macau, Boracay World Resorts is designed to appeal to travellers seeking sophistication, exclusivity, and high‑end island leisure, while avoiding large-scale impact on the delicate coastal ecosystem. Tan made sustainability a central design principle—making the project “just right for the island” in scale and style.

As Boracay World Resorts takes shape over the coming months, travel observers expect a new wave of upscale arrivals—from well‑healed leisure tourists to experiential travellers—drawn by the promise of curated Vegas‑style entertainment in one of the world’s most beautiful island destinations.