Amid fanfare and celebration, The Parisian Macao opened its doors to the public for the first time on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 8:18 p.m. (CST).
The grand opening of the newest integrated resort from Sands China Ltd. (HKEx: 1928) and parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) represents the crowning achievement of company Chairman and CEO Mr. Sheldon G. Adelson’s vision for the Cotai Strip.
“What started with a Venetian and now adds a Parisian to the family, the Cotai Strip has become one of the world’s greatest tourism marvels,” said Mr. Adelson. “Before our very eyes, Macao is making a similar transition to the one it took Las Vegas decades to make, evolving from a destination only suited for gaming customers, to an environment which still provides a safe and reputable gaming experience, but also offers a wide variety of activities, attractions and amenities for people of all backgrounds, income levels and interests.”
“No one has believed more, or invested more, in Macao’s future as a leisure and business destination,” Mr. Adelson continued. “We never wavered in our development plans, or our desire to serve as a model for the type of development which would help diversify Macao’s economy through the introduction and growth of important non-gaming attractions. I’m tremendously proud and honored that our company made such a bold commitment to Macao and I will be forever grateful to the people of Macao and its leaders for the support they have shown us since even before we opened the Sands Macao in 2004.”
Adelson participated in a Q&A session earlier in the day at a press conference he attended with Las Vegas Sands President and Chief Operating Officer Mr. Robert G. Goldstein and Sands China Ltd. President Dr. Wilfred Wong. The press conference was moderated by Mr. Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs for Las Vegas Sands.
During his opening remarks, Dr. Wong said: “Sands China is a company with deep roots in Macao and we are very proud to be able to grow together with the city. Operating in Macao as an integrated resort developer has given Sands China the unique opportunity and privilege to contribute to the city’s transformation into a world center of tourism and leisure. We are incredibly thankful for the support our company has received over the years from the Macao SAR government, the vibrant and one-of-a-kind Macao community, and from our 30,000 team members.”
Tuesday night’s opening celebration included pyrotechnics and a lightshow at The Parisian Macao’s half-scale authentic recreation of the Eiffel Tower, now a prominent feature on the Cotai skyline. The program’s entertainment highlight was a performance by multi-award-winning Belgian singer Lara Fabian, who made her Macao debut.
The Cotai Strip was crowded with both locals and tourists, who had gathered outside to enjoy the opening festivities courtesy of live streams broadcast on all of Sands China’s large outdoor screens along the Cotai Strip.
Guests of honor at the opening ceremony were Ms. Chan Hoi Fan, acting chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region; Mr. Sun Da, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Mr. Cai Siping, acting commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region; Mr. Leong Vai Tac, Macao SAR secretary for economy and finance; Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Macao SAR secretary for social affairs and culture; Mr. Adelson; Dr. Miriam Adelson; Mr. Goldstein; Dr. Wong; Mr. Patrick Dumont, chief financial officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp.; and Mr. Antonio Ferreira, managing director of Venetian Macau Limited.
In keeping with tradition, a lion dance was an essential part of the day’s earlier events, and the evening of festivities concluded with a gala dinner featuring a performance by Hong Kong actress and pop star Karen Mok.
The opening celebration continues Wednesday with a fashion show at Shoppes at Parisian, and with an additional series of consumer fashion shows and in-store events Sept. 15 and 16.
The celebration extends throughout the opening month of September, with a range of promotions available exclusively to Macao resident ID card holders. The Parisian Loves Locals promotion offers a series of special offers across all Sands China properties that has been designed for Macao local residents to encourage them to join the celebration and enjoy a wide range of non-gaming elements. A way for the company to give back to the local community and thank them for their years of support, the Sept. 14-29 offers include:
• 50% off Eiffel Tower and gondola tickets
• 20% off Cotai Water Jet tickets
• Up to 30% off accommodation at eight hotels across Sands China’s properties
• Up to 25% off at more than 60 dining options
• 20% off Stomp and Thriller Live tickets
• 15% off Planet J admission tickets and Magic Scroll rental
• Up to 30% off other leisure and family activities
• Complimentary three-hour parking
Sands China team members also marked the new resort’s opening Tuesday together with Sands China executives. Team member celebrations at the French-themed back-of-house area of The Parisian featured entertainment, games and lucky draws, with prizes including complimentary hotel stays at The Parisian, restaurant vouchers, and tickets to resort attractions like the pool deck and themed water park.
Inspired by the magic and wonder of the famed City of Light, The Parisian Macao features a full array of integrated resort facilities that includes 3,000 guestrooms and suites, convention and meeting space, international restaurants, spa, kids’ club, health club, pool deck with themed water park, and 1,200-seat theatre, among other amenities. Its retail mall, Shoppes at Parisian, offers the latest in fashion and couture in a setting reminiscent of the streets of Paris, with an eclectic mix of street artists and entertainers heightening the authentic experience. More information is available at www.parisianmacao.com.
Sands China’s property portfolio now offers nearly 13,000 hotel rooms and suites with the addition of The Parisian Macao, which joins sister Cotai resorts The Venetian Macao; The Plaza Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands Cotai Central, housing hotels by St. Regis, Conrad, Sheraton Grand, and Holiday Inn; as well as Sands Macao on the Macao peninsula.
Together they provide a variety of entertainment options featuring international superstars, duty-free shopping with over 800 retailers offering a broad array of name brands, 1.65 million square feet (150,000 square meters) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, transportation offerings, and more than 140 dining options including bars, lounges and Michelin-starred restaurants.
