Operator News
China – Studio City opens to Hollywood fanfare but no VIP tables
By Phil - 29 October 2015
Studio City, the US$3.2bn cinematically-themed leisure destination resort, has now opened its doors, heralding a new era of world-class entertainment, set to redefine Macau as an truly-international tourism destination.
Despite the red carpet taking a bartering from the shoes of celebrities and VIPs, the venue has opened with no VIP rooms and no VIP tables.
A press conference attended by Melco Crown Entertainment Co-Chairman and CEO
Lawrence Ho and Co-Chairman James Packer, was held to mark the official launch of the stunning integrated gaming and entertainment resort.
At it Mr.Ho said the no VIP move was a ‘business decision’ spurred by the table allocation rather than a mandate from the Macau government.
“It was a no brainer for us that it was going to be all mass,” Mr. Ho said. “If it was 400 tables maybe there would have been a very small portion for VIP. But we are where we are and we are happy. Melco Crown has steered away from VIP for a long time. We are the second least reliant on VIP out of the six concessionaires. VIP EBITDA contribution to our entire group before even Studio City opens is less than 10 per cent. We really understood what the government wanted in terms of more diversification in the market.”
Mr. Ho highlighted that for long the company has looked at non-gaming attractions, such as The House of Dancing Water at City of Dreams. He said the aim for Studio City was for more interactive attractions that the whole family could share in.
“We are the undisputed top investor in terms of non-gaming attractions,” Mr. Ho said. “We have understood what the government wanted. We are looking five or 10 years ahead. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will be a game changer. We believe the future of China is the rise of the middle income earning bracket and the rise of the more sophisticated well-travelled customer.”
Studio City, developed by Studio City International Holdings Limited, a company in which
Melco Crown Entertainment owns a 60 per cent interest, has been designed to be the most diversified entertainment resort offering in Macau – with more international-brand entertainment amenities under-one-roof than any integrated resort in the market.
Envisaged by Mr. Ho as Asia’s Entertainment Capital, Studio City’s Hollywood inspired, cinematically-themed concept and world-leading entertainment, hotel, retail, Food and Beverage and gaming offerings have been tailored to specifically appeal and cater to the desires and aspirations of the vast and rapidly growing numbers of dynamic Asian and international leisure destination thrill-seekers.
“Today marks the start of a new era of leisure destination entertainment for Macau and Asia,” said Mr. Ho. ‘It is the realisation of our long-held vision to develop a leisure and entertainment destination that has no equal in Macau. The opening of Studio City stands testament to Melco Crown Entertainment’s commitment to help to evolve and greatly enhance Macau’s non-gaming entertainment proposition as we continue to work towards our strategic aim in supporting its evolution into a highly-diversified and world-leading leisure and tourism destination.
“I would like to thank all of our Studio City colleagues who are working so hard to make this incredible resort a stunning, successful reality. Together, we are now ready and eager to deliver a truly remarkable world-class leisure destination experience for our visitors to Macau. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of the Central and Macau governments in our ambition to help develop Macau into a world center of leisure tourism.”
James Packer, Co-Chairman of Melco Crown Entertainment, added: “I am delighted to be here with Lawrence for this momentous occasion, to celebrate the opening of this magnificent destination resort. Studio City, with an array of world-firsts entertainment attractions, is set to earn its place as an internationally recognized leisure destination, enhancing Macau’s tourism appeal on the world stage.
“Today’s grand opening is a key step in our strategic vision of providing a world class portfolio of leisure and entertainment resort experiences that meet the rapidly evolving demands of Asian and international leisure visitors.”
Studio City is now set to redefine the leisure destination resort proposition in Macau and indeed Asia. International brand entertainment offerings, combined with premier hotel facilities and ‘movie-star’ service truly enables the visitor to ‘Live like a Star’.
World-class, non-gaming entertainment offerings will thrill visitors to Studio City. The artdeco inspired facade, complete with the iconic Golden Reel the world’s highest figure-8
Ferris wheel – is home to a world of non-stop entertainment including the action-packed 4D flight simulation ride, Batman Dark Flight; a 40,000-square-foot family entertainment center, Warner Bros. Fun Zone, featuring world-renowned characters from Warner Bros.’ DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera Productions and Looney Tunes entertainment franchises; an incredible live magical experience showcasing the world’s greatest magicians, The House of Magic; Macau’s first-ever Ibiza-style nightclub, Pacha Macau; and a 5,000-seat multipurpose Entertainment center, Studio City Event Center, hosting exciting live concerts, theatrical and top sports offerings in addition to award shows and other special showcase events.
The Boulevard at Studio City delivers the region’s most unique and innovative experiential 300,000 sq. ft. ‘immersive’ retail environment. It brings the world’s best shopping to life in Macau by transporting guests to high-energy street-scapes, with both live and hi-tech entertainment enchanting them at every turn. Its streets and squares are inspired by iconic shopping and entertainment locations, including New York’s Times Square and Hollywood’s Beverly Hills.
Hundreds of global and regional media witnessed the glitz, the glamour and the excitement at this new cinematically-themed resort, capturing up close and personal interaction with some of the biggest stars on earth.
A star-studded red carpet ceremony saw entertainment partners, VIP guests and acclaimed celebrities in Asia including China top ten model Lu Yan, Josie and Conroy Chan as well as Real Ting; the highlights of the red carpet got underway with the arrival of global superstar and biggest selling female artist of all-time Mariah Carey, Asia’s King of Dance Aaron Kwok and K-pop Sensation SISTAR prior to them taking the stage to rock the Studio City Event Center as part of the Grand Opening Extravaganza.
The ‘Oscar’ moment of the day came when Co-Chairman and CEO of Melco Crown Entertainment Mr. Lawrence Ho and Mrs. Sharen Ho, Co-Chairman of Melco Crown Entertainment Mr. James Packer were joined by the most culturally influential directors and actors in the history of Hollywood films including Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and acclaimed producer Brett Ratner.
