Nagasaki prefecture held a meeting of experts at the prefectural office last week at which the prefecture’s optimistic schedule of launching a public bid for operators by the first half of 2020 was discussed. Under the plan, a partner operator would be chosen by autumn next year and a developmental plan drafted with the selected operator by early 2021.
According to prefecture officials, the panel members offered opinions regarding the need to review the function and scale of MICE facilities, the promotion of the many attractions of Kyushu and Japan, and cooperation with surrounding areas in consideration of amending the fundamentals plan. There were also concerns raised regarding strengthening transport access, countermeasures for abuse of services, training personnel to work with international tourists and promoting understanding with the region’s residents.
The timeline for the national government making its final decision on where the three IRs will be located remains up in the air, but Nagasaki is hoping for a 2024 opening. The prefecture’s IR promotion department’s stance is that they are, “anticipating the quickest route” for drafting regional construction plans.
According to Nagasaki officials, the national government is planning to establish the long-awaited Casino Administration Committee in autumn or later, after surveying local municipalities. After that, the Fundamental Policy will be drafted.
The IR Development and Promotion Ordinance requires all IRs developed to include a massive hotel and international conference center among other facilities. Nagasaki will draft the basic concept (which was summarized last year) by January 2020, based on the opinions of intellectuals. After that an implementation policy will be drafted, following a public bid for operators.
About 20 operators from Europe, the US and Asia have expressed interest in Nagasaki with total investment is estimated to reach between JPY400 billion (US$3.7 billion) and JPY550 billion (US$5.2 billion).
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