The Rise and Fall of Samal Casino Resort (Grand Ekran Hotel)
Last Updated: February 5, 2025
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Samal Casino Resort, also known as Grand Ekran Hotel, was once a symbol of grandeur and ambition in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) in Davao del Norte, Philippines. Conceived as part of the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) initiative, the resort was envisioned to be a world-class destination that would boost tourism and economic growth in the region. However, despite its promising start, the resort eventually closed its doors, leaving behind a legacy of what could have been.
The Vision Behind Samal Casino Resort
The idea for Samal Casino Resort was born in 1993 during a visit by Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos to Malaysia. The project was the brainchild of Tan Sri Datuk Ting Pek Khiing, chairman of Ekran Berhad, a Malaysian investment firm with interests in construction, housing, and tourism. The resort was planned as a $50-million development on a 250-hectare property in Kaputian, Samal. It aimed to cater to emerging markets in Asia and was designed to be the “Las Vegas of the East.”
In 1994, the project was officially unveiled, featuring a 19-hectare beachfront with 300 hotel rooms, a casino, a 3,500-square-meter ballroom, shopping and dining facilities, and plans for an 18-hole golf course, marina, and retirement village. The resort was part of a broader initiative to transform Samal into a special economic zone, as declared by President Ramos through Proclamation 1212.
A Grand Opening and Sudden Closure
Samal Casino Resort launched its soft opening on April 20, 1998, with plans for full operation by July of that year. The resort boasted luxurious facilities, including over-the-water deluxe rooms, a casino, a swimming pool, and various recreational activities like island hopping, scuba diving, and water sports. It was a promising addition to the region’s tourism landscape.
However, the resort’s success was short-lived. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998 dealt a severe blow to the project. The economic downturn forced Ekran Berhad to cease operations in 2000, just two years after its opening. The closure left around 300 local employees jobless and the resort’s future in limbo.
Attempts to Revive the Resort
Over the years, there have been several attempts to revive Samal Casino Resort. In 2007, discussions about reopening the resort were tabled during the BIMP-EAGA forum, but no concrete plans materialized. In 2012, the idea resurfaced when the new mayor of Samal pushed to transform the island into a premier tourism destination. However, the plan failed to gain traction.
In 2016, Michael Ting, the son of Ekran Berhad’s founder, expressed interest in reopening the resort to recover the billions of pesos invested in the project. Discussions were held between Samal city officials and Ekran Berhad, but the deal fell through due to unresolved issues, including unpaid taxes amounting to P50 million. Photo by Rene Lumawag
Why Samal Casino Resort Remains Closed
The primary reason for the resort’s closure was the Asian financial crisis, which severely impacted Ekran Berhad’s financial stability. Despite numerous attempts to revive the project, challenges such as unpaid taxes, legal complications, and the lack of investors have kept the resort inoperative.
Today, the once-grand Samal Casino Resort stands as a reminder of the ambitious vision that was never fully realized. While the structure still exists, it remains a shadow of its former self, awaiting a new chapter that could potentially bring it back to life.
Samal Casino Resort was a bold initiative that aimed to put Samal Island on the global tourism map. Despite its promising start, external economic factors and internal challenges led to its downfall. While efforts to revive the resort have been made over the years, none have succeeded so far. The story of Samal Casino Resort serves as a testament to the complexities of large-scale development projects and the unpredictable nature of the global economy.
