Huis Ten Bosch posts losses of US$1.9m

Huis Ten Bosch, the theme park where Nagasaki’s prefectural government hopes to develop an Integrated Resort, posted a full-year loss of US$1.9m.

Japan.- Huis Ten Bosch, the Netherlands-themed park in Sasebo where the Nagasaki government hopes to develop an integrated resort, has published its financial results for the year ended March 31.

According to the company filing, the theme park saw a loss of Y218m (US$1.9m) for the fiscal year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to a 23.3 per cent fall in visitor numbers year-on-year. Visitor numbers fell to 799,000, with no overseas visitors during the fiscal year.

Nagasaki continues to advance with its bids to gain one of Japan’s planned three licences to develop integrated resorts.

In May, the Kyushu Regional Strategy Council (KRSC), comprising the governors of Kyushu prefectures and Yamaguchi prefectures and major regional economic groups, held a meeting to launch the Kyushu Addiction Measures Network Council.

According to local media, the main goal of the council is to better deal with addiction issues and to handle concerns raised by IR opponents.

Three operators have been selected as potential partners for Nagasaki’s bid to develop an integrated resort.

Oshidori International Holdings, Casinos Austria International and Niki Chau Fwu Group have entered a competitive dialogue with the prefecture and city.

This month, the companies will have to submit secondary examination documents. Nagasaki is due to select its final candidate in August.

The successful IR partner will have to pay JPY158m (US$1.5m) for the Request for proposal process and JPY10m (US$92,000) for a background check. Nagasaki hopes to begin its IR development in the mid or late 2020s.