The COVID-19 endemic has reignited the competition for dominance in the domestic tourism industry among hotels and resorts.
On the morning of Dec. 13, the U.S.-based integrated resort development and operating company, Mohegan, held a media day event for “Inspire Entertainment Resort (Inspire)” on Yeongjong Island in Incheon. It announced plans to launch “Inspire Mall,” an integrated cultural space combining shopping, dining, and entertainment elements, in the first quarter of next year. Additionally, it revealed the commencement of operations for a foreigner-exclusive casino.
In the second quarter of next year, the outdoor experiential entertainment facility “Discovery Park” and the year-round accessible indoor water park in the form of a glass dome, “Splashy Bay,” will open fully. Since Nov. 30, Inspire has begun operations for certain facilities, including hotels, performance venues, and restaurants, actively attracting tourists.
Inspire, situated in the International Business Complex (IBC-III) on the north side of Incheon Airport, spans 461,661 square meters. It has garnered industry acclaim, outclassing its domestic hotel and resort competitors in terms of facilities. A total investment of 2 trillion won, including around 960 billion won in foreign direct investment (FDI), has been made so far.
Starting from 2025, there are plans to embark on additional expansion projects, investing a total of 6 trillion won by 2046, to create the largest integrated resort in Northeast Asia.