Parisian Preview | Wong: New resort to focus on non-gaming activities

A preview event for The Parisian Macao’s Eiffel Tower was held yesterday. The event included a tour of the structure’s main viewing area and higher observation deck. At the event, Wilfred Wong, president and chief operating officer of Sands China, shared what the company hopes the new, French-themed resort will add to Cotai.
Wong told reporters that the new resort will “help cement Macau’s position as one of the region’s must-see business and leisure destinations.” To this end, the new resort will focus on non-gaming activities, including entertainment, tourist attractions and MICE business.
“Everything we [Sands China] are doing now is gearing toward making Macau an international tourism and leisure center,” explained Wong. “As I have said before, 95 percent of our area here [at the Parisian Macao] is non-gaming,” he later added.
Wong also took the opportunity to announce the inaugural show for the Parisian Theater, which will be the acclaimed “Thriller Live” based on the life and music of Michael Jackson. The show will be in the city for seven weeks, with further details to be released at a later time.
With regards to the half-­scale replica of the Eiffel Tower, Wong said that he expects it to become a “landmark that redefines the Cotai skyline.”
According to a statement from Sands China, the Parisian Macao’s replica of the tower is the tallest such imitation structure in the world and the “most realistic.”
Toward the top of the tower is a small and crowded observation deck, accessible via two elevators that ascend more than 200 meters in about 40 seconds. Though small, the observation deck provides an unparalleled panoramic view of the Cotai area including the façade of The Parisian’s main building, designed in the new French Renaissance style. According to Sands’ media representatives, the deck can accommodate up to 120 people at once, though it is “more comfortable with 60-70 people.”
On a separate matter, the Sands China president commented that, with the addition of The Parisian Macao, Sands China’s total investment in the MSAR has risen to a total of about USD13 billion. (More on p18)

wong unsure over table numbers

On the sidelines of The Parisian Macao’s Eiffel Tower preview tour, Wilfred Wong told reporters that he is unsure over the number of gaming tables authorities will grant the operator. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “Macau is under a lot of restrictions in terms of the number of tables… but we will work with the government.” He informed reporters that the company is due to formally apply to the government for the tables in the next few days, but declined to disclose how many tables Sands China will request. “Just a minority of tables will be allocated for high-rollers,” said Wong, adding there is little risk of the Parisian not getting the approvals before its Sept. 13 opening date.