Northstar

The Indispensable Travel Industry Read Feature Highlight The Integrated Resorts One Year On Vol. 2 Issue 11 | 22 March 2011 | www.travelweeklyweb.com | Published by Travel & Meetings Group, Ten Alps Communications Asia Pte Ltd Galaxy Macau to open in May News PATA reveals tourism forecast for 2011-13 News Page 6 Macau continues to attract tourists. Galaxy Enter tainment Group announced that Galaxy Macau™, the newest and most eagerly anticipated integrated destination resort in the Cotai entertainment area, will open on 15 May, starting the countdown toward Macau's biggest opening for 2011. Dr. Lui Che Woo, Founder and Chairman, Galaxy Entertainment Group, said, "The Macau SAR Government's s t ated goal , in accordance with the 12th Five-Year Plan, is to build for its economic future by diversifying its leisure and tourism industry. We believe Galaxy Macau will lead this development by offering what has been missing so far from the local integrated property market. "From the beginning, our vision has been to develop and operate a resort that delivers both inter- national-caliber standards but also captures the heartfelt service culture and unique fl avor of Asia – something we call 'World Class, Asian Heart'. This is especially critical for success in a market where Asian travellers are so dominant. In this way, we can make guests from around the region feel right at home, whilst at the same time provide an authentic Asian resort experience for visitors from around the world as well." Over 97 per cent of Macau's almost 25 million visitors in 2010 were from Asia, according to Macau Government Tourist Offi ce statistics. Visitors from mainland China and Hong Kong, which are considered the primary feeder markets in the immediate term, together totaled 22 million or 81 per cent in 2010. "Today, we are very excited that we can now begin counting down to Galaxy Macau's official opening on 15 May, after years of inspired creation and hard work backed with a fi rm conviction that a project rooted in Asian ideals and delivered by Asian people could achieve the highest international standards," said Francis Lui, vice chairman, Galaxy Entertainment Group during a day of media events held for Hong Kong and Macau journalists. "This announcement wouldn't be possible without the contributions of so many people, especially our talented and dedicated staff and our esteemed partners. We're all very excited to open our doors to Macau and the world and show everyone what the 'World Class, Asian Heart' of Galaxy Macau is all about." Accommodation at Galaxy Macau will be provided by three iconic Asian hotel brands: It will include the 250 suites and 10 fl oating villas of the Banyan Tree Macau; the 500-room Hotel Okura Macau; and the 1,500-room Galaxy Hotel, which will become GEG's flagship Cotai hotel. The three hotels will be Singapore' s giant pandas Page 8 available to guests on the opening day. Galaxy Macau also marks the entry into the Macau market for both the Singapore-based Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts and Okura Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Japan's most prominent hotel company. Rounding out Galaxy Macau's resort offering will be extensive in- house entertainment across multiple live stages and clubs including the ultra-exclusive China Rouge, a hybrid private membership club, perfor- mance theatre, bar and restaurant conceptualized by renowned Hong Kong designer Alan Chan to evoke a modern vision of 1930s Shanghai. It is anticipated that China Rouge will instantly become one of the trendiest nightspots in Macau, dr awing discerning clientele from around the region. Of particular note, Galaxy Macau is proud to announce its plans for a nine-screen, 3D, multi-function cinema theatre.

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