BXT Corporation on Saturday broke ground for its multi-billion Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark in Panglao.

BXT Corp. president Justin Uy who led the groundbreaking ceremony said that the beach resort will offer at least 1,100 rooms.

The establishment will be built on a sprawling 24-hectare property and will reportedly be among the country’s largest beach resorts.

JPark’s waterpark is also expected to be a record-setter for the entire country in terms of size.

An earlier statement of the BXT official indicated that the project will be completed in five years but operations would likely start at an earlier date.

The corporation also has investments in other prime tourist destinations such as Palawan and Boracay but Uy previously said that their project in Bohol will be prioritized.

BXT’s expansion into Bohol came after the promising performance of the hospitality firm’s resort in Mactan Island, Cebu.

For her part, Department of Tourism Undersecretary Sec. Katherine de Castro welcomed the new development, noting that the large resort will help prepare Bohol for the projected spike in tourist influx after the completion of the international airport in Panglao later this year.

She said JPark Island will add “prestige” to Bohol as a destination.

According to Gov. Edgar Chatto, BXT’s new resort is a timely development amid the need for more accommodations in the province.

Bohol is expecting a 20-percent surge in tourist arrivals due to the local and international flights which will soon be offered at the Panglao airport, Chatto said.