Gaming operators join together in promotion to locals

For the first time ever, the six gaming operators of the region joined hands to promote a concerted campaign involving a set of special offers for non-gaming entertainment to local residents. The campaign, titled “Macau Loves Locals,” was presented yesterday afternoon in an event held at the World Trade Center.
Representatives from all of the gaming concessionaires attended, as well as the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong, and the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) director, Paulo Martins Chan.
The campaign aims to offer Macau residents (permanent and non-permanent) the opportunity to enjoy non-gaming facilities through a specially organized program of offers and promotions by all the gaming operators throughout their integrated resorts.
The “Macau Loves Locals” campaign will run from February 23 to March 31 and will include participation from 28 hotel brands, 18 spas and gyms and 186 restaurants, as well as all of the major attractions and programs from the six gaming concessionaires, with discounts that can go from 20 to 50 percent.
In the opening speech, Secretary Leong said, “Currently, Macau’s gaming industry is in a period of adjustment, bringing new challenges to the economy and to the local community. The government has attached great importance to any problems that may arise during this adjustment process, trying to mitigate the consequences in other sectors and eliminate the possibility of unemployment problems resulting from this adjustment.”
Lionel Leong added that the government “has been encouraging the industry to develop non-gaming elements, in order to enrich the industry and Macau tourism, and support the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, contributing to the reinvention of Macau as an international center of tourism and leisure and for the proper diversification of the territory’s economy.”
He concluded by saying: “After the cold winter always follows spring,” expressing in metaphor that he expects the challenges to strengthen everyone’s spirit to overcome difficulties “hand-in-hand with the workers and the community; to realize the words ‘Macau loves me and I love Macau.’”
Several top executives from the gaming operators also stressed the idea of “sharing the fruits of our success with the locals,” as put by Angela Leong, managing director of SJM.

While the campaign was the first of its kind among the six operators, co-operation among the operators was nothing new, Wynn Macau COO Linda Chen said, adding that communication among them remained close. Ms Chen also expressed hope that “locals are proud of the gaming industry and promote it.”

“Through this campaign we hope that our local guests’ experiences will not only exceed their expectations but also have such a positive effect on them that they will choose to share it with their friends and families, not only in Macau but all over the world, and most especially from mainland China,” said Kevin Kelley, chief operating officer of Galaxy Entertainment Group.
The President of Sands China, Dr Wilfred Wong said “during these five weeks [the duration of the campaign] both permanent and non-permanent residents just need to present their Macau ID in our designated hotels and resorts to enjoy exclusive promotional offers.” He added that “this time, Sands China will offer discounts at ten of our hotels as well as discounted concert tickets, free valet parking, and discounts on ferry tickets and other family friendly activities such as gondola rides. There will also be free prizes everyday including 1,400 free gondola ride tickets and another 1,400 free DreamWorks character breakfasts, as well as daily lucky draws for shopping and accommodation vouchers.”
“Our world class attractions are not just for tourists but also for locals,” said Ted Chan, chief operating officer of Melco Crown Entertainment, also stating that all of the group’s attractions will be included in the campaign.
“I believe maybe even our local citizens don’t fully appreciate what’s actually happening to their city in terms of the international quality of non-gaming amenities and facilities that are now available to them,” commented Grant Bowie, chief executive officer and executive director of MGM China. He added, “We all can take advantage of this offer and I think we all will be trying out all these new attractions. This is a really great opportunity for Macau citizens to discover Macau.”
He concluded by saying, “we have come to the end of the beginning and now we have the opportunity to really take charge of being a leisure and tourism destination.”

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