Journal of Tourism & Hospitality
Open Access

Abstract

Integrated Casino Resort Development in South Korea: Perspectives from the Government Representatives and Industry Professionals

Yen-Soon Kim, Dong H Lee, Eunha Myung and Hyun Kyung Chatfield

This study explored perceptions of the integrated casino resort development in Korea and factors associated with a business license decision from the perspectives of the government representatives and industry professionals. Using a series of in-depth interviews with six selected Korean government representatives involved in the integrated casino project and with industry professionals, the study identified three categories and six main themes. The findings suggested that the participants perceived the integrated casino development as a great venture that will benefit the local community and the nation’s tourism industry. The findings also indicated that in addition to satisfying all of the bidding requirements, foreign investors’ financial integrity and health, as well as their business ethics standards, were considered the most important when the Korean government decided on a business license for the integrated casino resort. The study also found that while the Korean government recently changed a casino related law to provide better business opportunities for foreign investors, negative public perception toward the casino industry remains as a challenge