Melco Resorts & Entertainment says it will welcome the one millionth visitor to its Cyprus casinos in August, the milestone coming just over a year since opening its temporary facility in Limassol.
Holding a press conference this week to mark the one year anniversary of Cyprus Casinos, Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho revealed the company has so far welcomed 880,000 people to its three operational properties – 710,000 at Limassol and 130,000 and 40,000 at its satellite casinos in Nicosia and Larnaca respectively.
“I’m extremely happy with our first year of operations here in Cyprus, progress has been swift and the local economy is already benefitting from the strong partnership we’ve created with CNS Group,” Ho said.
“Everything is in place for significant and sustainable growth. The government has a clearly-defined vision, the community is supporting us and the success of the satellite and pop-up casinos we’ve already opened are evidence of strong consumer demand.
“Once open, our integrated casino resort, City of Dreams Mediterranean will rewrite the tourism guides to Cyprus and make this beautiful island an internationally recognized year-round destination.”
Melco is due to open two more satellite casinos in Ayia Napa and Paphos this year, while its €500 million City of Dreams Mediterranean will welcome its first guests in late 2021. When fully operational, the integrated resort will boast 100 gaming tables and 1,000 electronic gaming machines on 7,500 square meters of gaming floor.
Ho said he has high hopes for the opportunity City of Dreams Mediterranean will provide.
“Running a business that operates across Asia, Australia and the UK means we are intently focused within Melco on compliance, and the government of the Republic of Cyprus is setting and maintaining the highest standards in this regard,” he said. “That means Cyprus will not only become a destination for premium luxury tourists, but for international investors too.”