EXCLUSIVE CEO INTERVIEW
58
Some people would say Macau is too densely populated, the sky is not blue enough, there is no white-sand beach but the fact is we have created a destination resort setting at Galaxy Macau. We did it and we did it with success. Take a look at our resort, at our architecture, at the land-
scaping we put around the property. I think no one would argue that this is a destination resort, a successful one too. I take pleasure saying that we did it. We were the rst ones to entitle Macau with a destination resort. That gives me a lot of satisfaction.
What would you select as the elements that still need fine-tuning at Galaxy Macau? I constantly see things in need of improvement. Right now,
I have to say service. We have been open for only six short months, it’s a big property and we have now 10,000 workers [in Macau]. So, service, human resources, talent, leadership, good people, are still a challenge, a big challenge. We ought to do better if we want to serve customers better but it takes time.
Initially there were fears that Galaxy Macau could cannibalise StarWorld’s revenue but that has proven not to be the case. Are you relieved? The more I walk around Galaxy Macau, the clearer
Starworld’s competitiveness is. StarWorld has a great location, no question about it. It is a compact property where every- thing is so convenient; everywhere you go is just at a push of a button away. When we designed Galaxy Macau, we ideally wanted to
avoid people having to walk great distances. We have been successful and praised for that. Nevertheless, StarWorld has the charm of you just having to go up and down the escalators. StarWorld is going to continue to be very successful. The
target customers for Galaxy Macau are different from those that go to StarWorld. The customers that come to Galaxy Macau are people who want to stay a little bit longer and enjoy the integrated resort sensation, whereas the people that go to StarWorld are more attracted by its easy accessibility.
BUILDING A FUTURE A topic that has been hotly debated recently is the potential relocation of Macau’s main ferry terminal from the Outer Harbour on the peninsula to Pac On in Taipa, and much closer to Cotai. What is your preference? We have properties on both sides, so it’s indifferent. Either
way works for us. What needs to be taken into account is that the ferry is not only serving casinos but also the local people. So, the question must be asked to Macau citizens. There’s another question, which is what will be the role of
the ferry terminal in the scope of the coming bridge connect- ing Hong Kong to Macau. Does it make that much of a differ- ence the location of the terminal? By the time the bridge is in operation, buses will take a lot of pressure from ferries. At the end of the day, the question is how you serve people better.
If the light rail transit system is taking so long, maybe the bridge could take another decade at least – hopefully not. The bridge has already been waiting for 10 years. It’s not
that we dream of this idea today. We are talking of 25 million visitors [to Macau in 2010], 15 million more than 10 years ago. It needs to be built.
JANUARY 2012
“I see gaming as a catalyst for a better society where Macau citizens will be happier in the future. Others just want to milk every dollar. I think growth should be moderate”
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