Inside Asian Gaming

21 20 cau, for some of the things that Macau has to offer. But we think that they’re also going to come very specifically to enjoy our facilities. You can do everything under our roof.” As for where they will come from, Mr. Blaiklock has a fairly clear idea: “It will be predominantly from Hong Kong or coming through Hong Kong. We see maybe 70 to 80 percent coming from Hong Kong, including what comes from China through Hong Kong. The remainder will come from Southeast Asia, and there will be a percentage that will come predominantly from North America. Any North American visitation into Hong Kong, for example, if they know we exist in the States, they know we’re just a ferry ride or a helicopter ride away from Hong Kong. They’ll come visit.” While LVS will seek to turn Macau into a conventions and exhibitions hub by drawing the region’s largest trade shows to its sprawl- ing expo facilities, Mr. Blaiklock says Wynn Macau is “looking at the smaller, more high- end, more discerning type of event. We’re focused on social events.The weddings busi- ness is one that is growing. If you provide a complete experience in a resort environment then you could start attracting couples from Hong Kong to come and have their wed- dings here.” “Also,on theMICE side,it would bemostly smaller corporate meetings with some small- er incentives. It’s a much more personalised space. But it is a purpose-built, fully function- ing convention area,” adds Mr. Blaiklock. LVS’ plans are perhaps more exciting and ultimately could be more profitable, but while many question whether the China con- ventions business is sufficiently developed to support LVS’ trade show ambitions at this point in time, there is clearly a market right now for luxurious venues in Macau and Hong Kong to host smaller corporate meetings and wedding banquets.Mr.Blaiklock stresses:“We feel that there is a strong market that we can attract, that will fill our spaces from those sources.” Wynn Macau’s grand ballroom is about 1,000 sq. metres, which can seat a dinner event with 60 tables of 12. Mr. Blaiklock re- veals the grand ballroom will have“a full the- atrical stage with a flyloft, so we’ll be able to stage productions or allow or facilitate event organisers to stage their own. It’s a beautiful area. It’s a destination area unto itself.”And of course, it is on a scale that caters to demand Wynn Macau is confident it can tap. Facing the Old World Mr. Blaiklock explains the rationale behind SteveWynn’s decision to locate his first prop- erty in Macau directly opposite Stanley Ho’s flagship Lisboa Hotel, an icon of Macau’s past.“He [Mr.Wynn] wanted this site because it was in the best location in Macau. It’s the best location right opposite the Lisboa hotel, at the focal point of the [Friendship Avenue] strip. It’s the best location because it’s the centre of the business district. It’s also the cultural centre of the city, with access to the [Senado] Square and that whole area. And it’s also a very scenic location to be in. You’re looking out over NamVan Lake. It’s also great from the point of view of accessibility from the ferry terminal. It’s a direct ride.” WynnMacau and the Lisboa sit on Friend- ship Avenue, a strip which runs from the ferry terminal and along which LVS’ Sands Macau also sits. Galaxy StarWorld and MGM Grand Macau will also open along that strip. Vene- tian Macau, meanwhile, will form the anchor of a new strip being developed on Cotai – the name given to the strip of reclaimed land be- tween Coloane and Taipa islands. It is believed the emerging Friendship Avenue Strip will be more of an “adult,” day-tripper destination than the Cotai Strip, which will have more sprawling resorts with large-scale conventions, entertainment and shopping facilities. Wynn Macau will pre- sumably appeal more to the type of crowd destined for the Cotai Strip, but Mr. Blaiklock does not believe being off Cotai will prove an obstacle to the property because Macau is so small and “even in the worst of times, it only takes ten or fifteen minutes to get across” from the Macau peninsula to Cotai. He adds that some people who need to at- tend conventions or exhibitions on Cotai “may choose not to be housed in that area, and we think that we’ll be their best choice for being in Macau.” Of course, Wynn Macau understands the appeal of Cotai, and will build its next prop- erty there, though clear details have yet to emerge. In March, Wynn Macau applied to the Macau government for a 21.9-hectare site on the Cotai Strip to develop four ho- tels, three with casinos. In May, Steve Wynn revealed during a conference call to analysts about the company’s first-quarter results that he was in talks to open a hotel under the Fer- rari brand name as part of his Cotai project, though no further news of the discussions has yet emerged. Acknowledging His Rival Mr.Wynn also told the analysts that his Cotai project would include large-scale convention facilities. “A very aggressive convention pro- gram ... is going to be part of our land use,” he said, adding “we share some of the other companies’ views that Macau has a bright convention future and that we will be able to sustain large amounts of midweek occu- pancy with groups that will come to Macau for meetings and conventions.” Thus,Mr.Wynn shares Mr.Adelson’s vision, though as Mr. Adelson pointed out in the last issue of this magazine, Wynn Macau will be two and a half years behind LVS in developing large-scale conventions facilities. Mr. Adelson charges his competitors offer “too little too late,” but perhaps Wynn Macau’s more pru- dent strategy will be vindicated if it turns out that LVS offers “too much too soon.” Living room in one-bedroom suite Ballroom promenade Deluxe room Grand deluxe room