Las Vegas Sands to Invest Billions More on Non-Gaming Attractions in Macau
Above, The Londoner Macao, complete with Big Ben and is everything British – like tea time (right). The complex has five hotels with a combined total of 6,000 rooms
By Raini Hamdi 5 June 2023
Las Vegas Sands has pledged to invest nearly $4 billion (MOP30.2 billion) in non-gaming infrastructure in Macau over the next decade as the company began a new 10-year gaming concession in the Chinese enclave last month.
China made it clear that for concessions to be renewed, there must be a shift towards more non-gaming revenues, as this author reported in this article in 2021. Macau’s fortunes were built on casinos, and the ill-effects of a heavy dependence on gaming were showing. Non-gaming, such as meetings and incentives, shows, entertainment and tourism attractions, accounts for just 5% of revenues, compared with 30% in Singapore and 50% in Las Vegas, experts estimated.
Sands China shows its love for non-gaming with a grand celebration on May 26 marking the completion of The Londoner Macao, a $2 billion (MOP16 billion) redevelopment of its integrated resort in the Cotai Strip that has been opening in phases since 2021.
“Sands China has delivered on Sheldon Adelson’s vision through the ongoing development of Cotai. Where 250 acres of empty reclaimed land once sat, we have built one of the world’s leading tourist destinations with an incredible future ahead of it,” said Las Vegas Sands chairman and CEO, Robert G. Goldstein, who was at the launch.
He added the company is excited to support the Macao government in its vision to develop a highly diversified tourism industry through enhanced meetings offerings and sports and cultural events, by increasing its reputation as a city of gastronomy, and embracing its unique cultural heritage.
Sands China also recently launched the Sands Resorts Incubation Centre, which will identify promising young tech innovators and startups and offer them the opportunity to develop their products.
Just like its Venetian and Parisian bring Venice and Paris to Macau, it takes little imagination to figure out what The Londoner is all about.
Uniting the lavish complex is a British design aesthetic, inspired by everything from Mayfair clubs to Cool Britannia chic.
Highlights
• An imposing façade modeled after the Palace of Westminster and Houses of Parliament that comes to life in the evenings with a light-and-sound show
• A life-size replica of London’s iconic Big Ben that chimes every hour
• A costumed Changing of the Guard performance inspired by the daily ceremony at Buckingham Palace
• A glass-covered porte-cochère entrance, modeled after a similar feature at London’s Victoria Station
• The Crystal Palace atrium, a version of the Victorian design icon in glass, iron and marble with an intricate, 10-story high ceiling
• A full-scale reproduction of the famed Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain with its Anteros Statue in London’s Piccadilly Circus
The Londoner has five hotels with a combined total of 6,000 rooms and suites. It also boasts three spas, four health clubs, more than 20 dining options, boutiques from 150 world-renowned brands, and a 6,000-seat arena.
Celebrities at the grand opening included UK soccer icon David Beckham, who is also Sands global ambassador, and popular British singer-songwriter David Cullum.
Sands China is hitting the road to promote non-gaming. First stop is Singapore, where it is holding a three-day event highlighting Macau’s gastronomy, fashion, arts and culture from June 7 to 9.
The event also features a half-day meetings and luxury forum featuring several panels comprising industry experts.