The aim of this study is to find out the problems that lie behind the slow progress of a resort complex development and the adequate solutions in the point of legal and policymaking views.
The Tourism Promotion Act defines that a resort complex is an...
The aim of this study is to find out the problems that lie behind the slow progress of a resort complex development and the adequate solutions in the point of legal and policymaking views.
The Tourism Promotion Act defines that a resort complex is an area of more than one million square meters with minimum 5 types of facilities ; public convenience, accommodation of special class, recreation/amusement and entertainment facilities. Korea recently has 9 resort complexes designated by the government, some of which are partially completed and operated, some of which are either under construction or under legal permit procedures. The first complex which started in 1974 by the public sector has not yet been fully completed and has a limited operation of major facilities compared to the original master plan. So, this study is focused on why most of the resort complexes still remain unfinished for such a long period, suggesting some ideas to target the problems especially in the development by the private sector.
In order to review the problems, the Yongyu Muwi Islands Resort Complex Project is taken as a case study example which has been under a legal procedure since 1999. For your reference, the project summary is as follows :
1. Location : Yongyu and Muwi Islands near Inchon Int'l Airport in Inchon Metropolitan city.
2. Total Land Size : 7,691,322 Sq.M. (approx. 2,300,000 pyung)
3. Period : from 2003 to 2012
(1st open 2008, 2nd open 2009, Grand open 2012)
4. Project Amount (Total USD5,254,000,000)
Infrastructure USD1,000,000,000
Superstructure USD4,254,000,000
5. Facilities : Hotels, Condominiums, Golf Courses, Casino Hotels, Boat Racing, Amusement Park, Shopping Malls, Convention Center, etc.
This project has some distinct characteristics such as BOO type of investment, project finance through foreign capital, development by the private sector ,and the first case under the Private Sector Investment in the Social Infrastructure Act.(Most of this kind are government-budgeted and local-funded) Through this case study, problems and solutions are sought and concluded.
A resort complex consists of two parts - infrastructure and superstructure. Both structures can be legally processed either by one act called the Tourism Promotion Act, or by separate acts - the Private Sector Investment in the Social Infrastructure(PS1) Act for the Infrastructure and the Tourism Promotion(TP) Act for the Superstructure. The main advantages in processing through the PSI act are that the developer(concessionaire) is given the right of eminent domain for the private owned properties, tax favors, free lease and purchasing rights of government properties through negotiation, etc. If the area is designated as Foreign Investment Zone(FIZ) as per FIZ act, the foreign investors are additionally benefited with tax incentives and other additional support. Although various benefits are given in the resort development, some problems still arise from its peculiar business features such as long term investment of large amounts for the land purchase, long return periods and high risk for this industry.
Based on these points, main problems are discussed such as various kinds of taxes and fees imposed on the land purchase, shortage of infrastructure to be provided by the government budget, uncertainty of casino license regardless of qualification, hard-line policy on the foreshore reclamation permit, inordinate restrictions in designating a potential concessionaire, and high rising land costs during the long license period.
In addition, solutions to the problems are conclusively suggested. First, new legislation of so-called Special Economic Zone Act is lessen required for tax and fee reduction/exception, which will in turn the burden of extra costs from land purchase.
Second, timely construction of infrastructure by the government to the greatest extent possible is to be executed for the proper inducement of foreign operator investors.
Third, casino licenses must be issued to any qualified applicant as per present law, if not, conditionally and experimentally to any foreign investor of a certain amount subject to the foreigners' only entrance, and gradually to local people also.
Fourth, appraisal time of private properties for eminent domain shall be set at an early stage so that land speculation can be stopped during the long permit/license procedure.
Finally, the Tourism Promotion Fund is to be increased by including must be allocated various collection sources, a major portion of which to the infrastructure instead of the present hotel facilities.