Inside Asian Gaming

FEBRUARY 2018 INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 21 “The delays relating to the completion of Tiger Palace … had impacted credibility. Since then we have bounced back on all fronts and, having raised additional capital, we completed the build and opening of the hotel and the casino at Tiger Palace by the end 2017 timeline.” IN FOCUS very positive indeed. There really is nothing like Tiger Palace in this part of the world. On the non-gaming side we have large MICE and wedding events plus a car launch confirmed already and the future looks bright. The grand opening will be on 16 March 2018. BB: You’ve obviously still got some ramp to come. What other features – both gaming and non-gaming – are still to come and how do you expect those to impact the business once operational?  MB: We have opened with the planned 100 rooms and two villas and we have converted some event space already to cater to the demand for MICE. The gaming floor has mass, premium mass and VIP but we decided to delay the opening of the private gaming facilities to ensure that we used empirical data to inform the fit out and open the rooms ready for the specific demand from those customers preferring a private gaming experience. We have 44 tables on the floor today with 34 in main gaming and 10 in premium gaming and VIP. We have another eight tables planned for private gaming that can also be added to the main floor in any event, so we are able to have all 52 tables readied to meet demand at any time. BB: Can you tell us a bit about the main features of Tiger Palace as of the turn of the year? MB: The 100 rooms currently operational include four room types in the hotel (Suite, Junior Suite, Superior and Deluxe) plus the two additional villas. The rooms are set on two levels around a huge feature swimming pool which winds between the hotel blocks and frames the center of the hospitality area which is Cabana Avenue (a pool bar and grille) with space for 120 covers. The other food and beverage outlets are Ramro Chowk (24- hour dining) with approximately 80 covers and within the casino we have Jackpot Café with approximately 50 covers. In-room dining and à la carte served to players at the tables in the casino completes the current food and beverage options, serviced from three separate kitchens. To service the MICE and weddings markets we have a main ballroom, five meeting rooms and a large outdoor wedding and banquet area, at the end of which we have an old historic Rana Temple for ceremonies and vows. BB: Tiger Palace is obviously situated to take advantage of the massive Indian market just across the border. What can you tell us about the resort’s surrounds? MB: Bhairahawa is in the flatlands of the Terai, which is 100 meters above sea level and it is the only 24-hour border crossing between India and Nepal. It has a domestic airport which is soon to become Nepal’s second international airport and will take at least 30% of all international inbound air traffic by the end of 2019. It is already very well frequented as it is just 30km from the birthplace of Buddha – the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lumbini – and 120km from the incredible wildlife zone of Chitwan, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing tigers, black rhino and elephants. In terms of the selection process I think it is both an art and a science. We have been in Nepal as a company since 2011 and I myself have been coming to Nepal since 2003. All that time Silver Heritage Mike Bolsover