It wasn't long after this that Nagasaki Prefecture decided on the theme park "Huis Ten Bosch" in Sasebo City when considering the location of an IR (Integrated Resort).
However, there is a possibility that the owner of this theme park, which has an image of being in the interior of the Netherlands, is thinking of selling this land, not in Japan on the other side of the world.
According to Kyodo News, Japanese travel agency HIS is looking for a buyer for the park.The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created travel restrictions, weakening the company's financial health.So selling the facility could be an important way to build strength.
Nagasaki Prefecture, in collaboration with casino operator Casinos Austria, envisions building an IR on a 76-acre site just west of the theme park.Nagasaki Prefecture is one of only two prefectures, along with Osaka Prefecture, which presented a proposal to attract casino facilities in April.
Stop financial deterioration
HIS posted a loss of ¥2021 billion ($11 million) from November 2022 to April 4 as a result of the pandemic that has hit Macau hard.As a result, the situation is desperate to prevent further declines, and selling Huis Ten Bosch may be the best option.
The travel company owns two-thirds of the shares in the company that operates the theme parks.He hopes to receive "tens of billions of yen" in exchange for the shares.Although the specific amount was not disclosed, 3 billion yen is equivalent to US$2 million.
ハウステンボスの企業価値・株式価値を向上させるため、株式譲渡など様々なプランを検討している。しかし、現時点では具体的な決定はしていない」とH.I.S.は声明を発表した。
The company didn't say if it had a serious offer.But the prospect of running a theme park next to the new IR should attract a lot of interest.At least one Hong Kong-based investment firm has been mentioned as a candidate.
In addition to HIS, minority shareholders such as Kyushu Electric Power and Kyushu Railway Company also plan to sell their shares.Even if the management of Huis Ten Bosch changes, HIS will continue to operate it as a theme park under the new owner.
HIS posted its largest ever Q2 loss.So, in addition to selling the theme parks, it also cut off other ancillary businesses that were underperforming.This includes the sale of HTB Energy Co., Ltd., an electricity retail subsidiary.
Huis Ten Bosch maintains strong performance
Investors know how to “buy low and sell high,” and Huis Ten Bosch is right now. HIS is trying to overcome its deficits, but the companies that run theme parks are strong. From October 2021 to March 10, it posted an operating profit of 2022 million yen (US$3 million).The same period last year was in the red of 3 million yen ($218 million).
Huis Ten Bosch was opened 30 years ago and has a site area of 375 acres (approximately 3,000 tsubo).In 4, the fourth year after the park opened, the annual number of visitors reached 1996 million.Seven years later, however, it suffered an unexpected steep decline and filed for bankruptcy.
In 2010, HIS purchased the facility.We proceeded with the rebuilding of Japan's largest theme park and were able to put it on track.However, just then, the Covid-19 epidemic hit the country again.
Japan is still in mourning after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.However, the national IR introduction plan continues.The government could approve the Nagasaki and/or Osaka plans as early as this fall.
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