Mohegan Sun and Incheon Airport To Collaborate on Unique Gaming Resort

The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA) of Connecticut and Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) of South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a one-of-a-kind gateway entertainment resort.

The newly integrated hotel-casino resort will be developed on the grounds of Incheon International Airport and will be the world’s first casino resort connected to a fixed-base private aviation operation. Per the tentative agreement, the gaming authority and the airport will draft a conceptual agreement for development of an 800-acre parcel of land to develop an “integrated entertainment destination.”

“We look forward to extending the unique Mohegan Sun brand, focused on unparalleled hospitality and guest experience, to Korea and providing a new, global customer base at a one-of-a kind, must-visit destination,” says Bobby Soper, President of MTGA. “We have tremendous respect for IIAC and are excited to partner with Mr. Park Wan-su to build on the strengths of our two organizations and create the leading, first-of-its kind offering for travelers across the world.”

The initial concepts for the new airport-based resort include:

• Two-tower luxury hotel complex with 1,000 guest rooms, which will be split between 300 6-star rooms and 700 5-star rooms;
• The first and only private jet terminal (FBO) in the world connected to an integrated casino resort;
• More than 18,500 sq. meters of retail, food, art and music entertainment experiences, including a Korean village celebrating Korean food, and music, state of the art motion picture and film studio, and a Native American cultural and arts experience;
• More than 60 luxury retail brands and more than 20 food and beverage concepts;
• A Korean cosmetics and beauty hub;
• Entertainment arena with capacity for up to 20,000 attendees and arena sport events that have become synonymous with Mohegan Sun properties;
• An indoor-outdoor amusement park with 18,500 square meters of the latest high-tech amusement rides and more than 12 outdoor attractions, and
• An 18,500 square meter casino with 250 tables and 1,500 slot machines.

Miura Holdings Asia, which focuses on gaming, hotel and food and beverage activities in the U.S. and Asia, will be part of the development team for the project, which is subject to governmental and regulatory approvals.

In its announcement, MTGA points to Incheon International Airport’s ranking as the 8th largest international airport in the world and its more than 45 million annual visitors as part of the attractiveness of this specific location for its plans.

It states that this new “integrated hotel-casino resort will cement Incheon Airport’s position as one of the best airports in the world and create an epicenter for Korea’s growing entertainment, tourism and hospitality industry.”

The memorandum of understanding outlines the initial framework of the project with the aim of signing a finalized concept agreement by June 30, 2015 and a scope of work proposal by the end of this year.

“This project is an important step in Incheon Airport’s continued efforts to become a global mega-hub airport, delivering passengers the highest quality service and serving as the best airport in the world in all aspects of our operations,” says Incheon International Airport President and CEO, Park Wan-su.

“It was critical to identify the right partner for this historic development and Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority’s performance track record as a developer, operator and ability to attract world-class entertainers speaks for itself. We look forward to working with MTGA to finalize an agreement on the proposed project and further enhancing Incheon’s services with the support and collaboration of our 40,000 employees.”