Signs are that Genting’s Resorts World is laying infrastructure plans aimed at bringing an international Asian clientele to the Catskills casino the global resort giant is opening next spring.
Ed Harrison, manager of the region’s Stewart Airport, said his facility is in talks with an unnamed company that is looking at the possibility of newer, larger jets for conveying tourists to the Hudson Valley/Catskill region and the casino.
“With potential Dreamliners that want to be based here and fly in folks from Asia to go to the casino,” he said.
Speaking of the larger multi-use tourism and recreational complex surrounding the property?Adelaar, as it’s called?Harrison said, “I think they are talking about marketing this five-star resort that is being developed. It’s really not just a casino. It is a resort destination that is going to have an impact on us and folks who want to visit around here.”
Genting is developing Resorts World Catskills in partnership with Nasdaq-listed Empire Resorts, in which Malaysia-based Genting holds a controlling stake. Empire Resorts owns and operates the nearby Monticello Casino and Racetrack.
Genting also has big plans for New York City’s only racino, which it owns at Aqueduct Racetrack a few hours’ drive away in Queens.
The company has completed $290 million in refinancing to bolster a $400 million expansion and renovation program at the 5,500-machine gambling palace.
Plans call for the addition of 750,000 square feet, including a 400-room hotel, a 20,000-square-foot spa, 140,000 square feet of convention space and 1,000 new video-lottery terminals.
The refinancing was accomplished through Wells Fargo and provides $82 million in new lending and replaces the remaining principal on an existing $225 million loan.
