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Cover Story Integrated Resorts 30 MAR-APR 2019 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM WHAT'S NEW Macau has been on the receiving end of a lot of good news as of late. In October 2018, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai- Macao bridge was officially opened, thus connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China via a single roadway. This means that overseas guests to Macau now get to enjoy greater accessibility and transport options. Since the opening of the bridge, Galaxy Macau, too, has received more MICE inquiries — which makes sense, since the integrated resort is home to a range of conference spaces, Michelin- starred dining, group entertainment and leisure facilities, as well as world- class accommodation. And since the establishment is an amalgamation of six hotels, there are more than enough venues to choose from. For example, on the larger end of the spectrum is Banyan Tree Macau. There is the Banyan Ballroom, which is ideal for large-scale events; the Banyan WHAT'S NEW 2018 was a good year for Solaire Casino & Resort. Bloomberry, the Philippine- based operator, reported that the annual profit rose nearly PHP7.17 billion (US$137.4 million) last year, which translates to 18% more than the year before. The number of people visiting the casino resort also grew by 14% to almost 6.65 million. SOLAIRE CASINO & RESORT Room, which can host up to 600 people in a theatre setting, as well as the Banyan Boardroom for smaller, more intimate events. The largest MICE venue, however, is the Broadway Hotel Macau. The 320-key hotel has a guest capacity of 3,000, and the venue can hold everything from music festivals and conventions, to banquets and fashion shows. of 68 seats are currently available in the Players Stadium, but the casino resort has plans to expand further in the future. Perhaps even more exciting is the recent announcement that Bloomberry Resorts has secured financing for its second casino, this time located in Quezon City. The company aims to open its Quezon City casino by early 2022, with construction set to begin in the middle of this year. SPACES AT A GLANCE • Solaire Grand Ballroom: 1,864sqm, 1,200 guests in theatre seating • The Forum: 8 function rooms, 2 board rooms • Gaming area: 18,500sqm • The Theatre at Solaire: 1,823 seats "Galaxy Macau is setting the trend for high-end integrated resorts, by constantly innovating to offer not only the widest array of entertainment and leisure opportunities, but also the most premium quality of experiences through the highest level of Asian-heart service." — VICTOR LAU, ASVP, HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE SALES, SALES, GALAXY MACAU Looking ahead, Solaire Casino & Resort has more than a few tricks up its sleeves to surprise and delight. One of the latest additions to Solaire Casino & Resort is the Players Stadium. Launched in July last year, the Players Stadium is an electronic gaming facility that allows players to bet on all games simultaneously and see the results on their personal screens or on a 15-metre double-sided curved LED screen — the widest of its kind in Philippines. A total GALAXY MACAU SPACES AT A GLANCE • Galaxy Hotel: 567sqm • The Ritz-Carlton, Macau: 750sqm • Banyan Tree Macau: 1,990sqm • JW Marriott Hotel Macau: 2,700sqm • Hotel Okura Macau: 320sqm • Broadway Hotel: 2,280sqm