The Philippines is to get a world’s first tourist attraction fit for SpongeBob SquarePants.
Viacom has announced plans to build the world’s first undersea attraction, the Nickelodeon themed Coral World Park Undersea near Palawan.
Set within the 400-hectare Coral World Park, which will begin opening in phases starting from 2018, it will have resort accommodation and attractions set over a 100-hectare area.
Social spaces including restaurants and lounges will be built below sea level with underwater views.
With a theme of coral reef and oceanic conservation, the attraction will feature Nickelodeon’s roster of characters including SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The Coral World Park itself will be spread out among 16 islands which will be linked by speedboat.
Park developers are touting a ‘multi-island experience’ with hot springs, wreck diving, island hopping and a wildlife reserve.
"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," said Mark Whitehead, president and managing director of Viacom International Media Network Asia Pacific.
Nickelodeon broke ground on its first Asian development just last week in the Chinese city of Foshun.
