Skal Asia to Meet in Macau

"It is absolutely unprecedented ", said Earl Wieman, Skal International Asia President when he started to describe the development of Macau's tourism infrastructure. "Tiny Macau with a population of just 500,000 will attract over 22 million tourists in 2007. It is therefore not surprising that the world's major hotel developers are lining up to invest in Macau's bright future", he added. During our visit, with other members of the 36th Skal Asian Area organising committee, it was very evident that Macau is expanding its tourism potential in many ways and not just gambling. With an average length of stay of just over 1 day, the former Portuguese colony is keen to expand its MICE and cultural potential to expand the average stay to 3.5 days with 3 years. And if all the development and new convention space is anything to go by they may well exceed this goal in record time. The Skal International Macau President Nuno Jorges and HE Joao Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) were enthusiastic in their promotion of Macau. "22 million visitors represent almost three times the number of visitors before the handover in 1999". The numbers of newly increased direct flights from AirAsia, Tiger and VIVA Macau have all helped boost accessibility. The ever-changing skyline of Macau is gathering speed. Wynn, Sands, the Venetian, Galaxy Star World, Stanley Ho's new 47 storeys Grand Lisboa and Richard Branson's US $3.75 billion casino join Macau Studio City, Asia's first leisure resort combining theatre TV and film facilities with gaming and entertainment. The complex also includes 2,000 world class rooms from Ritz Carlton, and Marriott including the Tang Hotel by designer David Tang. "We want to also establish cultural tourism, promoting Macau as a multi-faceted destination," says Mr. Antunes. The Macau Grand Prix, the International Music festival and the International Fireworks Competition are all well established in the annual line-up of non- gaming activities. With the hordes of MICE visitors expected to arrive, arrivals are expected to continue to soar. Revenues have already reputed to have exceeded Las Vegas. During 25-28th May 2007 senior travel industry professionals are set to gather for the Skal Asian Area Assembly. The MGTO is pushing out all the stops to make sure this top industry event receives the red carpet roll out.

• ข่าวSkal International
• ข่าวo:trav
• ข่าวo:eco
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