Sun loungers sit beside the wave pool at the Galaxy Macau casino resort
Cheng Koon-man made the right decision when he opened a second restaurant in Macau deep in the heart of a new and bustling shopping precinct. As crowds of customers stream in and out of “Wong Kung Sio Kung,” Cheng’s smile denotes his satisfaction and reflects his hopes for the future of the MSAR.
“The business is better than I expected it to be since I opened it on May 27, as more tourists have been visiting Galaxy Macau and Broadway Macau for shopping, watching shows and eating out,” the Macau-
born restaurateur told China Daily, adding that he opened his first restaurant on the peninsula in 2000.
Along the crowded street of the recently opened Broadway Macau, more than 30 shops and restaurants cater to thousands of tourists that cover the area, searching for a little piece of old Macau. “We specialize in shrimp roe noodles and sea crab congee,” Cheng said. “And the tourists like what we are doing.”
Less than a minute’s walk from his restaurant and across a pedestrian bridge from Broadway Macau is Galaxy’s new complex, which plays host to casinos, shopping malls and six world-class hotels.
Plans to further expand Galaxy’s brand by opening a third and fourth phase are underway, costing around HKD57 billion as the company looks to attract more traditional tourists. “The non-gambling element of our business will develop faster in the future,” said Francis Lui, Galaxy’s deputy chairman.
Macau is of course known for its glitzy casinos, high-rollers and weekend gamblers. However, according to the China Daily report, this reputation is starting to change as the island moves into the mainstream tourism market to compensate for the fall in gambling revenue, which has been hit by the government’s anti-corruption drive.
“Macau is facing a restructuring period,” the Chief Executive Chui Sai On wrote in his annual work report. “Macau should develop into a tourism and leisure center to offset the falling gaming sector (revenue).”
In December 2014, President Xi Jinping urged the island to “nurture new growth areas” during a visit to Macau. To do this, it must attract more tourists who visit Macau for more traditional reasons.
Resort operators are trying to do just that. GEG is targeting the mainland market as well as visitors from South Korea, Japan and countries in Southeast Asia. Walking through the Galaxy Macau complex, one can easily reach the luxury hotels that line the resort. There is the Ritz-Carlton, the first “all-suite” hotel, along with Asia’s largest JW Marriott. Next door are the Banyan Tree Macau, Hotel Okura Macau and Galaxy Hotel, providing about 4,000 rooms altogether.
Other resorts are also looking to expand their clientele. Close to Galaxy is the Studio City, owned by Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. Melco expects to complete the tallest Ferris wheel in Asia by the end of this year in order to attract young families. Sands China Ltd is building a USD1.7 billion resort, which will feature a half-size replica of the Eiffel Tower.
Gaming operators like Galaxy are also expanding their interests on the outskirts of Macau. Ye Yanmin, senior vice-president of the group, said that the entertainment company was working on a resort project on Hengqin Island, but did not disclose how much it would cost.
“The project will focus on leisure and entertainment, such as a golf course and a resort. We are confident about this development, as the economic zone of the Pearl River Delta will be a big and broad market,” Ye said. “Convenient transportation will connect Macau with Hong Kong, and Zhuhai with Guangzhou, to provide more business opportunities.”
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