Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) has committed to invest MOP$28.4 billion (US$3.6 billion) during the 10-year term of its next Macau casino concession from 2023 to 2032, of which MOP$27.5 billion (US$3.4 billion), around 97%, is planned to be in non-gaming initiatives.
Announcing its investment plans for the upcoming decade at a Saturday morning press conference in Macau, the company said, “As a patriotic Chinese enterprise with deep roots in Macau, GEG fully supports the SAR Government’s policies and directions” and committed itself to “continue contributing to the healthy and orderly development of Macau’s leisure industry” and to “enrich the SAR’s offerings as a ‘World Center of Tourism and Leisure.’”
In a statement entitled “Towards New Horizons,” released to coincide with the press conference, the company stated it fully supported “the SAR Government’s priority of exploring overseas customer markets” and committed to “carry out new promotion plans targeting specific overseas markets.” GEG said it would set up overseas offices in Singapore, Thailand and South Korea and launch a range of marketing schemes, including travel packages in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, the Philippines and Vietnam. It said, “these projects will increase awareness of Macau and GEG’s appeal and attract a broader base of visitors to the SAR.”
Fronting the media on behalf of Galaxy at the Saturday press conference were Vice Chairman, Francis Lui, and Senior Vice President of Public Relations, Buddy Lam. Lui noted that in the future, the gaming industry will no longer rely solely on gaming, and non-gaming experiences will become very important to guests.
“Gaming is the same for many customers, they sit at a table and gamble,” Lui said. “Where they gamble is the same, so the non-gaming experience is very important and it is a factor that attracts customers to come here more often. In this new era of development, non-gaming is the most important thing.”
Galaxy said that “upholding the philosophy of ‘What is taken from the community is to be used for the good of the community,’” it would “continue to fulfill its corporate social responsibilities by supporting the SAR Government’s labor policies, including maintaining the stable employment of local residents and facilitating their horizontal and upward mobility.” It also committed to “continue contributing to the community’s development through supporting related initiatives in philanthropy” and that it would “maintain its pragmatic and prudent approach in its business operations and uphold an innovative spirit in order to strive for further success.”
Galaxy said it would support the government’s “diversification development strategy to explore new opportunities and expand the city’s economic development horizons” and that it was “fully confident in the long-term prosperity and stability of Macau.”
Noting that it “looks forward to joining hands with all sectors of the community to write a new chapter for Macau,” the company said it would “support the integration of community and maritime tourism with Macau’s existing and abundant tourism resources” by undertaking initiatives such as organizing maritime activities. It also pledged to “continue providing appropriate aid and support for local SMEs and technology enterprises, thereby encouraging holistic and symbiotic growth in the local economy.”
GEG noted it has “set up specific development plans that support and align with the development directions set out by the SAR Government” and went on to highlight seven specific areas for development, as below.
Themed Amusement
Galaxy said it would “incorporate innovative new elements into its current offerings to provide uniquely themed amusement offerings based on market needs” and that it “plans to collaborate with acclaimed international brands to create Macau’s first-and-only high-tech amusement park, targeting families and leisure visitors.” Planned to occupy approximately 61,000 square meters, Galaxy said the project “will incorporate multimedia, interactive, and multi-sensory technologies to provide games and rides.”
Entertainment and Performances
Galaxy noted its soon-to-open Galaxy Arena will have a capacity of 16,000 seats and said it “will be one of Asia’s top performance venues.” The company also said it “will present exciting shows, inviting top performers from Macau, Hong Kong, the mainland and the rest of the world to stage performances, concerts, culture and arts shows, and more.” It is also planning to accelerate development plans for a music and performing arts theater, which it says will have an audience capacity of 4,000 and provide “a high-quality venue suitable for resident musical extravaganzas and acclaimed international performers.”
MICE
Galaxy said to would “fully leverage its existing and soon-to-open facilities, in particular the Galaxy International Convention Center (GICC), to attract and host a variety of international and regional MICE events, including B2B events, international corporate events, B2C events and regional exchange forums.” It said the GICC “will be Asia’s most iconic and advanced MICE and entertainment destination” and will boast 40,000 square meters of flexible MICE space. The GICC is planned to cater to the needs of international and regional organizations for hosting a variety of MICE events and has already received green awards and certifications from international professional institutions. GEG promised to “review and enhance the GICC’s facilities while enhancing awareness of all the company’s MICE facilities through an array of promotion schemes, including building partnerships in targeted overseas markets and participating in different industries’ promotion events internationally.”
Sports Events
Galaxy said it is planning to “work to attract major international and regional sports events to Macau by expanding and enhancing its world-class software and hardware,” and will “deepen its cooperation with various industry stakeholders in Macau, Hong Kong, the Mainland and around the world in organizing exciting and interactive side activities to enhance branded sports tourism projects.” The company said, “these activities will boost the attractiveness and scale of the related events in Macau while facilitating ‘tourism + sports’ integrated development” and pledged to “work closely with local sports industry stakeholders on cultivating local sports talent in the SAR.”
Culture and Art
Noting that it “proactively fosters the development of local arts and culture” and that it “introduces exciting and diverse cultural and arts experiences in Macau,” Galaxy revealed a planned art museum and auxiliary facilities, with a gross area of approximately 7,000 square meters, and said the museum “will incorporate innovative and immersive technologies.” The company also noted that the 650-seat Galaxy Auditorium in the GICC “will be equipped with the most top-notch audio system in the region, providing a professional performance venue for international classical music and opera performances.” Galaxy also said it would “continue to make use of its current facilities, including GalaxyArt and other appropriate venues, to host various arts and culture exhibitions for residents and visitors.”
City of Gastronomy
Galaxy announced “The Dining Destination in Asia” experience, supporting Macau’s development as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and promised that for the next 10 years it would “launch diverse new dining options at Galaxy Macau and support gastronomic promotions to further enrich its world-class dining experience.” It said it plans to “cater to the preferences of visitors from around the world, and provide more options to all guests.”
Health and Wellness
Galaxy aligned itself with what it described as Macau’s developing “big-health” industry, promising to launch new health-oriented tourism products and services. These are planned to incorporate “various health and wellness elements, including innovative ‘tourism + medical treatment’ products, and leverage the leisure facilities and services of GEG’s integrated resorts.” Galaxy also plans to create “one sizeable integrated space for health, wellness, leisure and lifestyle, partnering with well-known medical organizations and brands to promote healthy dining and wellness.”
