A trip to a spectacular casino opening seemed too irresistible an offer even for a reformed gambler. It took a while to get to Macau thanks to all those little things like flight delays and missed ferry connection that negate the theoretical speed of air transport in the most modern age. It was worth the trouble to see the development that has taken place on the Kotai strip to rival that of the more ancient one in Las Vegas.
The Sands China Ltd, who is the leading developer owner and operator of integrated resorts and casinos in Macau, seems to have landed all the prominent media from India, Spain Vietnam and Thailand for the grand gala opening of the Conrad hotel, the Holiday Inn and the Himalaya casino.
The rationale behind the choice of countries is they feel this quartet of nations can drive future growth in the peculiar kind of gambling tourism. And the Chinese know a thing or two about this business. It may shock some to know that Macau has far outstripped Las Vegas in terms of turnover. The former Portugese colony is, according to business estimates, doing an annual turnover six times that of Las Vegas.
Within this special administrative region of China, the western style casinos that are the pride of the ‘City of Dreams’ are still unable to match the more modest casinos at which the Chinese nationals generally make their daily dalliance with fortune. And the international brand casinos that have opened here are a byword in luxury, with the Venetian, also owned by Sands, considered the status symbol of the whole region.
Five years ago the Venetian stood in isolated splendour in this part of town. Now it has to contend with its cousin just across the road and the world’s most renowned tight rope walker is set to cross the road on a high wire to celebrate the opening of the Himalaya and sister properties in town. And the preparations themselves seem awesome as Macau is set for a landmark day.