The first part of Studio City Phase 2 was officially opened today, with Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho in attendance. Ho said that nearly 90% of facilities in Phase 2 would be non-gaming elements.
The first phase of the Phase 2 launch includes an indoor water park and a new hotel tower, to be known as the “Epic Tower”.
“The investment in Studio City Phase 2 is approximately US$1.2 billion, with 90% of the facilities having non-gaming elements,” said Ho.
“Melco’s investment and development will be fully aligned with Macau’s development and more non-gaming facilities will be added in the future in the hope of attracting more visitors to Macau and boosting Macau’s economic development.
“The opening of the indoor water park and the Epic Tower marks a new chapter in the development of Macau, not only marking an important milestone in the city’s diversification, but also demonstrating Melco’s confidence in the future of Macau and its determination to promote diversity.”
In addition to Lawrence Ho, the opening ceremony was attended by David Sisk, Chief Operating Officer, Macau Operations; Melco Board Member Clarence Chung; Chief Advisor Kent Wong; Kevin Benning, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Studio City Projects; and the Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes.
Speaking with IAG at the event, de Senna Fernandes noted that the proportion of Hong Kong visitors to Macau exceeded that of mainland visitors during the Ching Ming Festival on Wednesday, with Hong Kong visitors reaching 34,000.
She said, “In the coming Golden Week from May 1, the average hotel occupancy rate of Macau hotels could reach 80% to 90% and the daily average number of visitors 65,000. If Macau can maintain this level of visitor arrivals, I believe the number of visitors will be [much improved] this year,” she said.
