Global wellbeing organisation Therme Group has announced the location of its first Asia Pacific project. The upcoming resort will open in South Korea’s Incheon City as part of its Golden Harbor development.

A memorandum of agreement was signed on 20 December by Therme’s senior vice president Stelian Iacob and Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) commissioner Kim Jinyong.

The identification of the Golden Harbor site follows an initial letter of cooperation in November 2022 which saw Therme and the city working together to identify the best location for the project.

The agreement will see project plans progressing throughout 2024 and an expected lease signing in 2025. Subject to finalised plans and permissions, construction is anticipated to take two to three years.

Expected to cost more than US$200m (£166.9m, €193.6m) to create, Therme claims the resort will reflect the country’s distinct history and culture.

Incheon is the global gateway city to neighbouring Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Its 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.

Therme says this will make the site easily accessible to millions of domestic and international guests while providing striking views across the bay.

Iacob said: “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.”

Although K-Pop and K-Beauty have hit the mainstream, much of Korean culture is still under-represented, including Korean wellness, says native Leekyung Han who specialises in hospitality real estate and development projects.

Hear more from Han about why Korea has so much potential to take off as an exciting new destination for spas and wellness facilities here.

The Therme blueprint

Guided by the principle of wellbeing for all, Therme develops, designs and operates large-scale wellbeing oases which integrate ancient wellness traditions with modern sustainable technology.

Expansive thermal pools are combined with water-based activities, fitness programming, attractions, wellbeing therapies, art and culture, botanics, food and nutrition.

Each Therme location is designed as an accessible urban retreat, offering both a health and wellbeing spa and next-generation waterpark attractions. Every facility also responds to its location, with tailored offerings to meet community ecological, economic and cultural conditions.

Golden Harbor is Therme’s first announced location in the Asia Pacific, with further projects to follow in the region.

The group currently operates four locations in Germany and Romania, which collectively attract many millions of visitors per year. Additionally, it’s developing new sites in mainland Europe, the US, Canada and Scotland.