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MACAU BUSINESS
“It (gaming) is a good product to have as part morning and still have more time to play in financial big-wigs.
of the products mix that the Philippines can Manila in the same day. Also, those who go to This, he says, will be the theme of the Asia’s
offer. It makes us more interesting as compared business meetings then to casinos will have the GEM – Asia’s Gaming & Entertainment plus
to other Asian destinations,” Durano told advantage because they will not lose much Leisure Expo to be hosted by Pagcor from April
Macau Business. time,” Lim says. 1 to 3 at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila
Samie Lim, the past president of the Philippine Francisco says this is also what Pagcor wants, and the SMX Convention Center.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and to make the Philippines the alternative to Francisco says the topics to be discussed will
currently its tourism committee chair, one big Macau for Chinese gamblers. also cover the economic crisis and how it is
advantage of the Philippines is its people. He says the Philippines should never aspire affecting the industry country by country.
“Gaming is about entertainment and to be a threat to Macau in terms of being the
hospitality. People should be smiling while they top gaming destination in Asia, simply because Stocks or chips?
are taking your money away. Win or lose, of its hold on the Chinese market. Lim says another question to ask in these
Filipinos are smiling. This is a driving factor of “Our competitors should be Singapore and days of turmoil is, is there a better chance to
the industry,” he says. Lim also says that Malaysia only. We are recognised as the No. 2 in make money in the stock market or at the
because the Philippines only has a small share Asia. At least we should maintain that,” he says. casino table?
of the global gaming business, the only way is He asserts that while there is a scientific basis
up, especially with a solid base of Chinese High rollers to your percentage chances of winning a game
gamblers who are less affected by money More Koreans, Taiwanese and Chinese are of blackjack, this is not true of the stock market.
worries than US or European punters. flying in to the Philippines on chartered flights, “The thing now is, people are afraid of
Pagcor marketing efforts for the year will which means they are willing to spend investment in stocks and in banks because they
continue to focus on Asia as a result, thousands of dollars in just a few days as invited got burned there. In gaming, maybe they would
particularly China, Japan and Korea. guests who will be filling up the VIP rooms. think that they have a better opportunity if
Lim says after Macau, the Philippines is the Lim says the Philippines should also start they know how to do it well. Its also a chance to
next best destination for Chinese gamblers due tapping the Indonesians, who are considered to relax,” he says.
to its proximity to China, and because be among the world’s biggest gamblers. Lim also says it could be time for the
“Singapore is too restrained.” Francisco says the biggest task at hand at this Philippines to consider opening its doors to
“By going to the Philippines, it will cost the time is to find the segments that are least Stanley Ho Hung-sun: “Maybe we should open
Chinese less money and time than going to affected by the crisis and tap into them as the to him. If we are open to the Americans and
Singapore. They can fly out of China in the new markets to replace hard hit bankers and Japanese, why not to him?” he noted.
Viva Vietnam
by Joyce Pina
As Macau strives to develop the international component of itís gaming
industry, visitor figures show it remains a playground for Hong Kong and
neighbouring Chinese provinces. Regional competition looms and
Vietnam has revealed big plans. The man behind the Ho Tram Strip,
David Subotic, spoke to Macau Business
I
t’s a long way from the fall of Saigon or relationship between the two. While Vietnam’s tourism figures are dwarfed
Graham Greene’s The Quiet American but But the bottom line is that two significant by Macau – it expects five million visitors this
Vietnam’s first ever integrated casino resort components of Macau’s economy, convention year – the country is
– two hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City business and VIP gaming operations, could one of the world’s
on the US$4 billion Ho Tram Strip – could suffer at the hands of Vietnam’s gaming fastest growing
mark yet another pivotal moment in the adventure. tourism destinations
colourful history of this emerging nation of and one that is
over 86 million people. Shark attack placing increasing
As well as revolutinising Vietnam’s tourism The first of three phases of the Ho Tram emphasis on quality.
industry, the under-construction resort is also Strip, with its planned hi-tech meeting The company
being perceived as a future rival to Macau. facilities, world-class entertainment, luxury behind the Ho Tram
In time-honoured fashion, the developers of retail, live entertainment and nightlife, spas, Strip, is a wholly-
the 169-hectare site prefer not to talk about and above all a stunning natural setting that owned subsidiary of
regional competition and offer the more includes several kilometres of beach, and a Canadian based
palateable phrase ‘complementing services Great White Shark – well, a Greg Norman- Asian Coast
offered to a wider region’ to characterise the designed golf course – will be ready in 2011. Development Ltd.,
16 APRIL 2009
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