Inside Asian Gaming

The week-long festivities (August 8-14) pulled out all the stops to build awareness among Americans, particu­ larly gaming enthusiasts, about Ma­ cau's attractions as a destination. Heav­ ily embellished with local color, the program highlighted traditional dance and music, art and photo exhibits, tra­ ditional arts and crafts, a replica of the A-Ma Temple, and Macanese cuisine promotions in future restaurants in The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, Wynn Las Vegas am! MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Several Las Vegas casino operators have a stake in promoting Macau, which has traditionally been a day-trip market for Hong Kong and Mainland China tourists and gamblers, but which will soon add thousands ofhotel rooms when their properties open up. They're look­ ing to develop a long­ haul market for the tiny city on the South China coast. One of them was Las Vegas Sands Chairman of the Board Sheldon Adel­ son, who calls Macau his "second home." Mr. Adelson commented at the unveiling of an exhibition of works of Macau artists, "In the coming months, we will build on our already strong re­ lationship with the people and govern­ ment of Macau and help usher in a new era of tourism in Macau." 24 Inside Asian Gaming September 2005 Several Las Vegas casino op­ erators have a stake in promot­ ing Macau, which has tradition­ ally been a day-trip marketfor Hong Kong and Mainland China tourists and gamblers, but which will soon add thousands ofho­ tel rooms when their properties open up.