International wellness resort developer the Therme Group has advised that its first Asia Pacific project is to feature as part of the Golden Harbour development in Incheon City, South Korea.
Having identified the Golden Harbor site following an initial letter of cooperation in November 2022, a memorandum of agreement was signed before Christmas by Therme Group’s Senior Vice President Stelian Iacob and Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Commissioner Kim Jinyong.
The agreement will see project plans progressing during the course of this year and an expected lease signing in 2025. Subject to finalised plans and permissions, construction on the project - expected to cost more than US$200 million - is expected to take two to three years.
A gateway city to neighbouring Seoul, the Golden Harbor development is adjacent to an international ferry terminal, 15 minutes from Incheon International Airport and one hour from Seoul city centre by public transport. With this location, the Therme site will be easily accessible to millions of domestic and international guests while providing spectacular views across the bay.
First Asia Pacific location for Therme
Therme’s expansive well-being resorts combine cutting-edge sustainable technology with age-old therapeutic customs. Large thermal pools are paired with aquatic pursuits, wellness therapies, exercise classes, attractions, art and culture, botanics, and food. Therme seeks to improve mental and physical health and to make a beneficial economic and social impact, in addition to being an enjoyable and restful experience.
Commenting on the project, Iacob advised “Golden Harbor is truly spectacular, and it is fitting to bring our first Asia Pacific Therme to this iconic global gateway location. South Korea has rich and varied wellbeing traditions, and we look forward to working with local partners to reflect this history and culture.”
IFEZ’s Jinyong added “Therme’s spectacular resort will appeal to all residents and tourists, not only boosting our economy but also positioning Incheon as a world-leading wellbeing city of the future.”
The Germany-based company currently operates resorts in Germany and Romania, and it has plans to grow in the USA, Canada, the UK, and continental Europe in the future. In September 2023, plans for Therme Manchester, a new £250 million waterpark and wellbeing resort in the UK, were approved by Trafford Council.
Images: Concepts for Therme's development in the UK city of Manchester (top and middle, credit: Therme Group) and the the Golden Harbor development site (credit: Incheon Port Authority).
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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