Corona Welcomes The World To Visit Its Tropical Paradise, Corona Island

Rhea-AI Summary

Corona, the world's most valuable beer brand, has officially opened Corona Island for public bookings - an eco-protected paradise located 20 km off Colombia's coast near Cartagena. The island features ten premium waterfront bungalows with private jacuzzis, offering all-inclusive stays and day passes.

The destination earned Oceanic Global's three-star Blue Seal for eliminating single-use plastics and implementing sustainable practices. The island integrates eco-tourism through sustainable architecture using solar energy and native materials, local dining experiences, and conservation activities including coral reef restoration and mangrove planting.

Guests can enjoy activities like yoga, paddleboarding, and kayaking while experiencing an environment designed to reconnect with nature. Bookings are available through livecoronaisland.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and Booking.com.

Positive

• First-ever island to receive Oceanic Global's three-star plastic-free Blue Seal certification
• New revenue stream through premium eco-tourism offering
• Brand extension into hospitality sector with unique sustainable positioning

Negative

• capacity with only 10 bungalows may restrict revenue potential
• High operational costs associated with maintaining remote island facilities
• Weather-dependent operations may affect year-round profitability

Insights

Marketing Expert

Corona's launch of a bookable island experience represents an innovative experiential marketing initiative that physically embodies the brand's identity and values. As the self-proclaimed "world's most valuable beer brand," Corona is leveraging its strong market position to create a tangible manifestation of its brand ethos - connection with nature and natural ingredients.

The capacity of just ten premium waterfront bungalows positions this as an exclusive, high-end brand extension rather than a significant revenue generator. This strategy allows Corona to create a living showcase of its brand values while generating premium content for broader marketing efforts across their consumer base.

By making the destination bookable through mainstream travel platforms like Airbnb and Expedia, Corona is expanding its touchpoints beyond traditional beer marketing channels into the experiential travel sector. This cross-category approach helps the brand stay relevant with experience-seeking younger demographics.

While direct revenue impact is likely minimal relative to AB InBev's core beverage business, the initiative serves multiple strategic purposes: reinforcing Corona's premium positioning, generating organic content marketing opportunities, and creating deeper emotional connections with consumers through immersive brand experiences.

From a competitive standpoint, this represents a differentiation play in the crowded beer market where major brands increasingly seek unique ways to build consumer engagement beyond traditional advertising. The sustainability focus also aligns with growing consumer interest in environmentally conscious brands.

Sustainability Expert

Corona Island demonstrates AB InBev's commitment to sustainable brand extensions that align with contemporary consumer values. The achievement of Oceanic Global's three-star plastic-free Blue Seal - positioning it as the world's first island to receive this certification - provides credible third-party validation of their environmental efforts.

The comprehensive integration of sustainability throughout the island's operations is noteworthy. From architectural choices using native materials like guadua to solar energy utilization and local ingredient sourcing, Corona has created a holistic approach to environmental responsibility rather than the superficial sustainability claims common in corporate marketing.

Particularly strategic is the incorporation of conservation-focused guest activities like coral reef restoration and mangrove planting. This transforms passive consumers into active participants in environmental preservation, deepening their connection to both the natural world and the Corona brand.

The initiative reinforces Corona's brand positioning around natural ingredients and environmental consciousness, potentially enhancing brand perception among environmentally concerned consumers. However, with just ten bungalows, the direct environmental impact and financial significance are inherently

This project appears to function primarily as a brand-building showcase rather than a major sustainability initiative that would meaningfully affect AB InBev's environmental footprint or ESG ratings. Its true value lies in demonstrating to consumers that sustainability can be integrated into premium experiences without compromising quality or enjoyment.

For the first-time, the eco-protected island is officially available for the public to book on major travel platforms

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Corona, the world’s most valuable beer brand¹, officially opens the doors to Corona Island—an eco-protected natural paradise off the coast of Colombia, now available for booking on major travel platforms. Travelers worldwide can secure their stay directly at livecoronaisland.com or through Airbnb, Expedia, and Booking.com.

Corona Island

As a beer brewed with natural ingredients, Corona Island is symbolic of the brand’s dedication to live in harmony with nature. It is more than just a destination; it offers an experience that will inspire travelers to fall in love with the natural world and motivation to protect its resources.

Originally debuting in 2021 as an invite-only getaway located 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Cartagena, and accessible only by boat, the island offers guests a chance to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with nature through curated daytime activities and evening experiences.

Corona Island features ten premium waterfront bungalows, each with its own jacuzzi, nestled among lush tropical forests and pristine beaches. The island offers all-inclusive overnight stays for two people per bungalow, alongside a limited number of all-inclusive day trip passes that are also available for purchase.

An Eco-Protected Paradise

Corona Island is the world’s first and only island to receive Oceanic Global’s three-star plastic-free Blue Seal for eliminating single-use plastics and adopting sustainable operating best practices at scale. Built with eco-tourism at its core, Corona Island integrates those practices into its architecture, hospitality and daily operations, featuring:

• Sustainable Design: Structures use solar energy, native plants like guadua, and traditional building techniques such as bahareque.
• Fresh, Local Dining: The island serves its food with an emphasis on local ingredients, such as baked goods made with fruits native to the region, which are all included in the price of the visit. Also available for guests to enjoy are the full suite of Corona products, including Corona Extra and Corona Cero.

Immersive, Conservation-Focused Experiences

Guests can enjoy a variety of relaxation and eco-conscious activities, including:

• Yoga, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking for a mindful connection to nature.
• Eco-preservation initiatives such as snorkeling to restore coral reefs and mangrove planting for ecosystem reforestation.

"At Corona Island, relaxation meets conservation in a natural beachside setting. As the brand born at the beach, and a beer brewed with natural ingredients, we believe that our island serves as a perfect extension of our ethos," said Clarissa Pantoja, Global VP of Corona. “With breathtaking landscapes, sustainable practices, and immersive outdoor activities, we invite eco-tourists and travel enthusiasts alike to explore this unique setting, where every experience reflects our dedication to preserving the beauty of the natural world.”

To view rates and book your experience at the one-of-a-kind, natural eco-paradise, visit www.livecoronaisland.com or search for Corona Island on Airbnb, Expedia, and Booking.com.

*ENDS*

Notes to editors:

About Corona Global

Corona, an AB InBev global brand*, is the iconic beer brand that is synonymous with paradise with a presence in 180 countries. Recognized as the world’s most valuable beer brand in Kantar’s BrandZ global 2024 rankings, Corona invites the world outside, beckoning you to reconnect with your essential nature and embrace the simple pleasures of life. But it's not just about the beer – it's about the ritual. The ritual of adding a slice of lime to your Corona, an experience that elevates the moment. Corona isn't just a beverage; it's nature in a bottle. And we strive to help protect nature and have become the first global beverage brand with a net-zero plastic footprint. This builds on our longstanding ambition to help protect the world’s oceans and beaches from plastic pollution. Every sip of Corona is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the world around us.

*Corona is not sold by AB InBev in the United States.

About AB InBev

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with secondary listings on the Mexico (MEXBOL: ANB) and South Africa (JSE: ANH) stock exchanges and with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). As a company, we dream big to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life’s moments, move our industry forward and make a meaningful impact in the world. We are committed to building great brands that stand the test of time and to brewing the best beers using the finest ingredients. Our diverse portfolio of well over 500 beer brands includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona®, Stella Artois® and Michelob Ultra®; multi-country brands Beck’s®, Hoegaarden® and Leffe®; and local champions such as Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Modelo Especial®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin®, and Skol®. Our brewing heritage dates back more than 600 years, spanning continents and generations. From our European roots at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium. To the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery in St. Louis, US. To the creation of the Castle Brewery in South Africa during the Johannesburg gold rush. To Bohemia, the first brewery in Brazil. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, we leverage the collective strengths of approximately 144 000 colleagues based in nearly 50 countries worldwide. For 2024, AB InBev’s reported revenue was 59.8 billion USD (excluding JVs and associates).

1Kantar BrandZ 2024 Global Rankings

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250318968356/en/

AB InBev Media Relations

E-mail: media.relations@ab-inbev.com

Source: Corona

FAQ

What sustainable features does Corona Island (BUD) offer to eco-conscious travelers?

Corona Island features solar energy usage, native plant construction, plastic-free certification, local ingredient dining, coral reef restoration, and mangrove planting activities.

How many bungalows are available on Corona Island and what amenities do they include?

Corona Island offers 10 waterfront bungalows, each equipped with a private jacuzzi and nestled among tropical forests and beaches.

What activities are included in the Corona Island (BUD) all-inclusive experience?

Activities include yoga, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling for coral reef restoration, and mangrove planting for ecosystem preservation.

Where is Corona Island located and how can visitors access it?

Corona Island is located 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Cartagena, Colombia, and is accessible only by boat. Bookings can be made through livecoronaisland.com, Airbnb, Expedia, or Booking.com.