Samal Island welcomes a new chapter in hospitality

Damosa Land officials at the groundbreaking for TRYP by Wyndham Samal. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Damosa Land Inc. broke ground last week for TRYP by Wyndham Samal, a four-star condotel set to introduce an international hotel experience to one of Mindanao’s most vibrant resort destinations.

Marking milestones

According to Damosa Land officials, this up and coming four-star condotel marks a series of milestones not only for the company but also for the island.

TRYP is the first condotel to rise on Samal Island, the first international hotel brand to operate here, and the first condotel in the Philippines to be approved under the SEC-RENT (securing and expanding capital in real estate investment transactions) framework.

Through this upcoming property, Damosa brings a globally recognized hospitality brand to Samal Island, offering modern accommodations, curated dining concepts, and leisure amenities that meet international standards while reflecting the island’s coastal character.

At the same time, it provides investors another income-generating opportunity anchored in branded hospitality.

Under TRYP’s condotel model. buyers who have fully paid for their units and complied with requirements will receive a certificate of participation.

Damosa Land expects Samal Island to benefit from Davao’s tourism growth.

Vibrant destination

TRYP by Wyndham Samal will feature 100 rooms, interactive social spaces, meeting facilities, a 250-seat ballroom, fitness amenities, and an infinity edge pool overlooking the Davao Gulf.

This project comes at a time when Davao’s tourism sector has already moved beyond recovery, supported largely by sustained growth in domestic travel. In 2024, hotel occupancy in Davao City averaged between 68 and 72 percent, signaling steady demand and renewed confidence in the region’s travel market—conditions that support the entry of new hospitality offerings.

Damosa Land expects Samal Island to benefit from Davao’s tourism growth. The island’s established attractions, led by Pearl Farm Beach Resort, have sustained visitor interest over the years. Samal’s mix of beaches, dive sites, and nature experiences continues to position it as Davao’s primary nature gateway.

The Samal Island–Davao City Connector Bridge is expected to help fuel this potential growth, as it is expected to further improve access by linking the island more closely to the urban center and broadening its tourism reach.

This improved connectivity strengthens the case for hospitality-led investments on the island, especially those structured for both personal use and income generation.

Damosa Land has long established its presence in Davao through various projects.

Damosa Land officials at a recent media briefing.

Earning potential

TRYP’s condotel model, in particular, addresses this demand from Filipinos who want a vacation home with earning potential, particularly Metro Manila-based buyers and overseas Filipino workers maintaining ties to Mindanao.

Under this model, buyers who have fully paid for their units and complied with requirements will receive a certificate of participation, confirming their unit’s inclusion in the pool. The certificate entitles owners to returns through pooled rental income along with exclusive benefits such as free room nights. Proceeds from the sale of the certificates will be used to fund the project’s pre-operating expenses.

For Damosa Land, the arrival of an international brand signals confidence in Samal’s long-term trajectory. The combination of established tourism foundations, improving infrastructure, and rising domestic mobility shapes the island’s transition from a weekend destination to a more structured hospitality market.

TRYP by Wyndham Samal, no doubt, reflects how Samal is gradually evolving into a broader leisure and business node in Southern Philippines.