South Korea Eyes IRs for Tourism

South Korea’s vibrant tourism landscape is poised for a significant transformation, with its casino industry identified as a crucial sector requiring a comprehensive overhaul. Expert analyses underscore the need to evolve beyond the current model, which has historically relied heavily on the Chinese VIP market and a foreigner-only casino structure, proving vulnerable to global shifts and regional competition. For travel industry professionals, this presents a pivotal opportunity to rethink and redefine engagement with a key Asian destination.

The core challenge for South Korea’s casino tourism lies in its relatively low average revenue per visitor compared to powerhouse Integrated Resorts (IRs) in Singapore and Macau. The current framework, consisting of 17 foreigner-only casinos and a single locals-only venue (Kangwon Land), limits broader appeal and diversification. Analysts advocate for a strategic shift towards developing full-fledged IRs that emphasize robust non-gaming amenities, including state-of-the-art MICE facilities, luxury retail, diverse entertainment options, and premium hospitality. This approach aims to attract a wider, mass-market audience and diversify visitor source markets beyond traditional segments, targeting growth from Japan, Southeast Asia, and potentially domestic tourism if regulations permit.

Embracing digital transformation, from cashless systems to advanced data analytics, is also critical for enhancing the visitor experience and operational efficiency. The vision is to position South Korea not merely as a gaming destination but as a holistic leisure and entertainment hub, mirroring successful models that generate substantial revenue from non-gaming activities. This strategic repositioning will not only boost direct casino revenues but also drive broader economic benefits through increased tourism spend on accommodations, dining, and other attractions, creating a more resilient and globally competitive tourism ecosystem.

Key Points

• South Korea currently operates 17 foreigner-only casinos and 1 locals-only casino (Kangwon Land).
• In 2019 (pre-pandemic), Chinese visitors accounted for 60% of South Korea’s casino revenue and visitors.
• Foreigner-only casino sales were KRW1.6 trillion (approximately $1.2 billion USD) in 2019.
• Total South Korea GGR (including Kangwon Land) was $2.7 billion in 2019.
• Foreigner-only casino sales are anticipated to recover to 80% of 2019 levels by 2024 (KRW1.2-1.3 trillion).
• Average revenue per Integrated Resort (IR) visitor in South Korea is $126.
• Singapore’s IRs achieve an average revenue per visitor of over $600.
• Macau’s Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) per visitor exceeds $1,200.
• In 2019, 17.5 million foreign visitors came to South Korea, but only 3% visited casinos.
• Foreign visitors spend an average of $923 on non-gaming activities.
• Kangwon Land visitors spend an average of $47 on non-gaming activities.
• Macau’s non-gaming revenue constitutes 10% of its total revenue, while Singapore’s is 50%.
• Kangwon Land’s non-gaming revenue also accounts for 10% of its total revenue.
• Philippines GGR reached $5 billion in 2023, and Singapore’s GGR was $4.8 billion in 2023.
• The analysis stems from insights by tourism analysts, including Jeon Yu-hyun of Hana Securities, and the ‘South Korea Casino Industry Outlook Report’ by Kangwon Land.
• Japan’s Osaka IR targets 20 million visitors annually.

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