Operator News
China – Melco to develop Guangdong resort as ‘gateway for global tourism into China’
By Phil - 23 June 2021
Although it won’t be offering a gaming element, Melco International has, in partnership with Agile Group, has successfully tendered for a mixed use site at Zhongshan, Guangdong province in China with a resort that will include hotels, theme parks and restaurants.
The two companies plan to develop a premium residential, entertainment and hospitality mixed-use complex. With total gross floor area of over 750,000 square meters, the site is located at the heart of Zhongshan, a key hub in the Greater Bay Area that is well-connected to nearby cities including Macau, Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Melco will jointly develop the site with Agile through a joint venture to be jointly managed by both parties.
Melco is committed to being an active participant in the formidable development of China, in particular the Greater Bay Area, and is pleased to take an important step towards the long-term planning and development in Zhongshan through this project. With a wealth of experience in creating and developing world-class entertainment amenities, Melco will leverage on its own successful intellectual properties created in Macau into the development and management of the theme park, restaurants and other hospitality facilities in the complex.
The Zhongshan project is part of Melco’s strategy to invest in non-gaming assets. The new project will include residential, commercial, recreational and entertainment elements, featuring residential complexes, office areas, hotels, service apartments, wellness centers, shopping malls and a theme park. Melco expects the majority of the project, including the theme park, to be completed by 2025.
Melco believes the Greater Bay Area is a gateway for global tourism into China, and will continue to explore opportunities to invest and leverage on its deep expertise in entertainment and hospitality to contribute to the Greater Bay Area development.
Lawrence Ho, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco International, said: “Over the past 15 years, Melco has been creating, developing and operating world-class entertainment facilities in Macau and globally. In doing so, we created a distinctive model of integrating quality leisure, culture and entertainment. We have developed incredible brands that have great growth potential beyond our existing properties. We are determined to play an active role in the development of the Greater Bay Area, and to leverage the incredible expertise of the group in non-gaming activities.”
