Supplier News
China – Macau Legend calls for more Macau licences
By Phil - 16 February 2015
Macau Legend Development has called for Macau’s government to issue satellite casino licences and extend the number of companies operating in the region to boost competition and drive revenue.
Mr Chow, a former Macau law maker, said: “The government should encourage the development of local businesses and allow companies that have contributed to the development of Macau, such as those operating satellite casinos, to receive a gaming licence. If they get a licence, it would help develop and foster fair competition. I think they have to understand that there needs to be more competition, instead of protecting the current six operators.”
His comments came as Macau Legend opened its first new hotel, Harbourview Hotel, of the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf redevelopment project, contributing an additional 389 rooms and 55 suites to the tourism market of Macau Peninsula.
Mr. Chow, said: “Both the Central Government and the Macau SAR Government have stressed the importance that Macau should promote the diversification of its economy and to accelerate the development of leisure tourism, convention and exhibition businesses. Harbourview Hotel and the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf redevelopment project are positive contribution towards this direction.This would not be possible without the contributions of so many people, especially our group of dedicated staff and our esteemed partners, and the support from the Macau Government. We are all very excited to open our doors to Macau and the world and show the waterfront of Macau Peninsula.”
Mr. Chow added, “In 2014, there were around 31.5m visitors to Macau, a 7.5 per cent increase from the previous year; with visitors from Mainland China increasing by 14 percent to over 21.2 million. We believe that there will be continuous demand for quality hotel accommodation and peripheral leisure tourism services which we are adding year by year to the entire Macau Fisherman’s Wharf redevelopment project. With the opening of the first new hotel at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, we expect our expanding hotel portfolio will increase revenue contributions and economies of scale benefits to our company. Overall, we are confident in the medium and long-term prospects of Macau in general.”
With design based on the 18th century Prague, the 4-star Harbour view Hotel occupies 68,300 square metres over nine floors, and houses a bar, restaurants, a gymnasium and an indoor swimming pool, an underground carpark, and retail stores on ground level. Eminent retailers including Chow Tai Fook Jewellery, Godiva Chocolatier and Tung Fong Hung have already commenced businesses at the hotel complex.
The hotel is connected via footbridges to the adjacent Flamingo Casino and Babylon Casino.
With the opening of Harbourview Hotel, the Company will enhance gaming facilities at the
Macau Fisherman’s Wharf by allocating 35 additional gaming tables which were granted by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau in October 2014 at the Babylon Casino.
Macau Legend already owns and operates two hotels, The Landmark Macau, which is an award winning integrated hotel, casino and luxury shopping complex, featuring a five-star hotel and Macau’s first theme casino; and the 18th century Victorian-styled boutique Rocks Hotel.
Mr. Chow, said, “The addition of the new Harbourview Hotel cornerstones the redevelopment of the entire Macau Fisherman’s Wharf integrating the already established Convention and Exhibition Center and the existing shopping and entertainment facilities towards the blue print of an exciting future on the Macau Peninsula waterfront.”
Also in the pipeline are two premium 5-star rated, Legend Palace Hotel and Legendale Hotel, with completion expected in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Canopied open-air entertainment colonnade and marina are also part of the redevelopment plan to increase visitation of theMacau Fisherman’s Wharf. Commencement of these non-gaming elements will provide additional growth for Macau Legend.
