There is plenty of excitement surrounding China, particularly in the lead-up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, but there is equally anticipation over Macau’s phenomenal development.
A massive injection of money into venue infrastructure, particularly in the hotel casino segment, is already resulting in Macau not only lifting its profile internationally but attracting a greater number of tourists than ever before. The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has said it had 21.99 million visitors in 2006, which was a increase of 17 per cent on 2005.
In terms of MICE-related events, in 2006 Macau organised 31.2 per cent more international events than the previous year, lifting the total to 360 with 57,000 participants. Association meetings leapt from 129 in 2005 to 162 last year, and attracted nearly 25,000 visitors. The number of tradeshows and exhibitions eased ahead 4.2 per cent in 2006, but attendance soared 117 per cent.
And to top it off the Macau Government Tourist Office has indicated that the incentive trade is its strongest growth segment with 14 groups in 2006, up from just five in 2005.
What began as a trading outpost in the 16th century, when Macau was the major gateway to China, is now a fully-fledged destination of international note, offering five-star resort luxury while retaining much of its historical attractions.
Casino hotels are most definitely leading the way. The Las Vegas Sands Corporation has a massive project underway that should be of great appeal to meeting and incentive planners. The Venetian Macao Resort, with its 3000 rooms, opened on August 28, offering 100,000 square metres of exhibition and conference space (including a 15,000-seat stadium), something like 30 restaurants, 300 shops, and an entertainment precinct that offers something for almost everyone.
The Four Seasons (opening late 2007), Shangri-La Hotel Macau (opening 2008), Traders Hotel Macau (opening 2008), Sheraton Macao Hotel (opening 2009) and the St Regis Hotel & Residences, Macao (opening 2009) are also well on their way to being part of the Macau scene.
Crown Macau Hotel & Casino was opened in May this year, owned by Australia’s richest man, James Packer. Crown Macau, the first extension of Australia’s iconic Crown brand in Asia, is a luxurious and contemporary hotel and casino that is primarily devoted to the high-end gaming market. Distinctive in design, superior in quality and exceptional in service, this 36-storey complex offers a genuinely unique six-star experience for discerning guests seeking the finest quality and attention to detail in every aspect of their stay.
Crown Macau Hotel & Casino is the first part of a larger project in Macau entitled “City of Dreams”. City of Dreams is described as a premium integrated urban entertainment resort featuring a variety of luxurious resort accommodations and facilities. Four hotels (the first of which is the Crown Macau) will be constructed, including a Hard Rock Hotel, a Grand Hyatt and a Hyatt Regency, and should be completed within the next 18 months.
From sumptuous eateries and tea houses to historical monuments and buildings, five-star neon-lit casinos and vast shopping centres with boutiques of every description, Macau is a blend of old and new, east and west.
For those who love nothing more than exploring a destination’s heritage doing so in Macau is a real treat. The A-Ma Temple, Moorish Barracks, Senado Square (in the centre of Macau), Dom Pedro V Theatre, the Ruins of St Paul’s, and Guia Fortress are all waiting to be discovered.
You can also visit the islands of Taipa and Coloane, and you can even cross into mainland China into the city of Zhuhai if you’re happy to stand in a line for a while and pay AUD$40 for a visa. Shopping awaits with a vast array of items ranging from electrical goods to clothing, shoes, cosmetics, leather goods and sports equipment.
The fastest and simplest way to get to Macau is through Hong Kong, by either helicopter or light aircraft (if you have the budget), or fast ferry. The main sea terminal and heliport for visitors to Macau are located in Shun Tak Centre, on the waterfront west of Central District on Hong Kong Island. It is above Sheung Wan MTR station (Mass Transit Railway) and next to a terminus for buses and minibuses from many parts of Hong Kong, including the A2 Airbus from the airport.
The terminal has passenger wharves and a helipad, booking offices for current and advance sailings and flights, reservation offices of Macau hotels and travel agents, a branch of China Travel Service, and a Macau Government Tourist Office information counter.
East Asia Airlines and Heli Express Limited co-operates aircraft between the helipads on the Macau and Hong Kong Ferry terminals. Each flight takes only approximately 16 minutes. Macau to Hong Kong service operates from 9am to 10.30pm, and the Hong Kong to Macau service operates from 9.30am to 10.59pm.
The helicopter service between Macau Ferry Terminal and Shenzhen Baoan International Airport, PRC is also provided. The journey takes about 15 minutes at day and approximately 25 minutes at night. Visit www.heliexpress.com for details.
Macau Tower Convention and
Entertainment Centre
Designed to capitalise on its magnificent setting beside the Pearl River, the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre is a great location for events. The Great Hall is divisible into eight rooms while the Banquet Hall can accommodate up to 1600 delegates for a seminar or 1000 for banquets. The unique open terrace is great for cocktail parties and break-outs. The venue also has a 500-seat auditorium, and exhibition space for up to 100 booths. The property boasts probably the greatest meeting-break heart-starter anywhere in Asia with Skywalk X. You can give your delegates a unique view of Macau 233 metres up as they walk around the outer-rim that encircles the tower. Skywalk X is operated by AJ Hackett. The venue also offers 360° Café – the spectacular revolving restaurant at the top of the tower. Visit www.macautower.com.mo for further details.
Mandarin Oriental, Macau
The Mandarin Oriental, Macau is the only resort hotel set in the city centre of Macau. The property offers 388 rooms and 28 suites, all luxuriously appointed with fine Portuguese fabrics and teak furnishings, and a full complement of business accessories. The property can cater for meetings groups of just under 300 delegates. It has a large number of restaurants, and offers the world-famous Mandarin Oriental Spa, where guests can choose from 30 different treatments. The property is also home to a leisure zone known as The Resort. The Resort is 15,000 square metres in size and offers tennis and squash courts, a temperature-controlled free-form swimming pool (with a waterfall), rock climbing, and a flying trapeze. For details visit www.mandarinoriental.com.
Westin Resort Macau
Situated on 150 acres of rolling green hills overlooking the South China Sea, The Westin Resort Macau is the only hotel in Macau to be located by the picturesque Hac Sa Beach (loosely translated as Black Sand beach) while just minutes to downtown shopping and entertainment, the Macau Ferry Terminal and the Macau International Airport. The Westin Resort Macau, built in Portuguese-Macanese style, is devoted to the pursuit of excellence and elegance with a seamless blend of comfort and technology. The Westin Resort Macau offers 206 spacious and elegant guest rooms and suites, and the venue claims to have the largest guest rooms in Macau (each room averages 72 square metres including a 45-square-metre exclusive sanctuary that opens out to a private terrace of 27 square metres).
Wynn Resort Macau
The Wynn Macau offers everything a traveller might expect from a Wynn hotel. Located across the street from the Grand Lisboa, the Wynn Macau is just as sleek and sophisticated at its Las Vegas counterpart. The Wynn Resort Macau offers more than 600 luxurious rooms and suites, a casino, six gourmet restaurants, and one of the largest health clubs, along with a large outdoor pool and a spa. There are some spectacular state-of-the-art spaces for large-scale meeting or more intimate gatherings. Visit www.wynnmacau.com for further details.
Sands Macau
Sands Macau opened in 2004, becoming the first of the Western-operated Macau hotels and casinos. Set amid six acres of lush waterfront gardens, flanked by gold reflective windows, this opulent paradise’s motto is “privilege with passion.” The property offers plenty of convention space and well-appointed accommodation rooms that are sure to be a treat for even the most seasoned traveller. Visit www.sands.com.mo for further details.
The Venetian® Macao is described as the perfect destination for any event – from intimate corporate meetings to international conventions.
The Venetian® Macao opened on August 28, 2007, with guest accommodation that the venue operators say exemplifies their philosophy of giving guests the best of everything.
The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel’s 3000 suites take elegance to a new level each with more than 70 square metres of space, complete with lavish Italian marble bathrooms.
Dining at The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is a magnificent feast of the senses with tantalising aromas, delightful tastes and spectacular presentations by master chefs from around the world. Dining becomes an exciting experience that will make you want to return to The Venetian time and time again. Whether your choice is the elegant and luxurious fine dining in the treasured gourmet traditions, enjoyment of relaxing causal fare and beverages, or indulging yourself with your favourite foods in the privacy of your own suite, the venue says you will cherish every moment of The Venetian dining experience.
Food service is always available at The Venetian with wonderful restaurants, convenient noodle bars and in-suite dining services available anytime day or night. Your favourite beverages and cocktails are also available at anytime in the friendly and convenient bars and lounges. There is a total of 35 restaurants and a 1000-seat food court.
In terms of conferences and events, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel offers more than 100,000 square metres of convention and exhibition space. This includes 6500 square metres of pillarless ballroom and 108 meeting rooms. On top of this the venue offers The Venetian® Arena, a 15,000-seat venue, and the 1800-seat The Venetian Theatre.
When the meetings are over and you are looking for something to do you don’t have to wander far from The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel. The Grand Canal Shoppes is one of the most exciting entertainment hubs not only in Macau but anywhere in the world. Here you can browse through the 350 stores, offering a wide range and variety of goods, take a gondola ride along the man-made canals, eat in one of the 20 restaurants or the 1000-seat food court, or unwind in the deluxe day spa.
It is also here that you can immerse yourself in the so-called “Artiste Del Arte” or Streetmosphere program, where entertainment is provided by an ensemble of classical vocalists, musicians and street performers dressed in elaborate Venetian costumes. Performances are held every hour at St. Mark’s Square where an extravaganza of “Carnivale” characters will sing famous opera arias. You can indulge in musical delights every evening as a Venetian trio serenades in St. Mark’s Square, making your visit to The Grand Canal Shoppes the most unique shopping experience in Asia.
For further details about The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel visit www.venetianmacao.com.
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