MGTO and partners promote Macau tourism to Southeast Asia market

Macau

Viviana Chan

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November 6, 2024

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MGTO and partners promote Macau tourism to Southeast Asia market

In a bid to attract more Southeast Asian tourists, the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has partnered with tourism authorities from Hong Kong and Guangdong to produce a travelogue entitled “Hashtag Travelog” aimed at promoting the Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a top regional destination.

The TV program, titled Hashtag Travelog, will air later this year and is specifically designed to enhance the region’s appeal and visibility in international markets, particularly in Southeast Asia.

According to the press release from the MGTO, the show – which was recently filmed across multiple locations, features a host of popular personalities. Korean boy band CIX visited both Macau and Hong Kong as part of their travel experience, while Malaysian entertainers Danny Koo and Jordan Sen joined the production in Guangdong’s Guangzhou and Jiangmen cities.

The collaboration highlights the cross-border tourism appeal of the GBA, underscoring the region’s potential as a multi-destination hub.

The first episode is scheduled for release on December 9th, 2024, and will be broadcast on tvN Asia, a channel that reaches more than 12 million households across eight countries and regions, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, the Maldives, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Additionally, the program will be available in Thailand through TrueID and on the Viu OTT platform, expanding its reach across Southeast Asia.

This strategic collaboration between the tourism offices of Macau, Hong Kong, and Guangdong is part of a broader effort to boost the region’s tourism brand and strengthen its position in Southeast Asia, one of the fastest-growing markets for international travel.

Strong growth in Southeast Asian tourism to Macau

The release of Hashtag Travelog coincides with strong growth in Macau’s international tourism, particularly from Southeast Asia.

In the first three quarters of 2024, international visitor numbers surged 95.1 percent year-on-year, reaching 1,677,550, or 70.7 percent of pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Macau visitor Arrivals 2024 — _{Macau visitor arrivals 2024 vs 2019}

Among Southeast Asian markets, Macau saw a significant growth year-on-year. Visitors from the Philippines rose 75.6 percent to 345,537; Indonesia up 33.6 percent to 127,861; Thailand up 70.6 percent to 95,108; and Singapore up 61.6 percent to 74,156. Malaysia saw the largest increase, with visitor numbers soaring 136.4 percent to 117,739.

Macau also saw notable growth from South and Northeast Asia, with visitors from India up 133.6 percent, and from South Korea and Japan up 207 percent and 102.6 percent, respectively.

The announcement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines on November 5^th, 2024, reflects Ignacio’s appointment as Undersecretary within the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs. The shift marks a significant change in leadership for PHR, as Ignacio takes on a government role aimed at bolstering investment and economic strategies.

The company, headquartered in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, noted that Ignacio’s departure comes amid a period of active involvement in several high-profile projects across the Philippines.

PH Resorts, under the Udenna Group umbrella, focuses on luxury resort and casino developments, notably the Emerald Bay Resort in Cebu and Clark Resort in Pampanga. These initiatives align with the broader strategy to support the country’s tourism-driven economic recovery, attracting foreign and local tourists alike.

While Ignacio’s resignation leaves a gap in PHR’s board composition, the company is expected to continue its ambitious project portfolio. PHR remains publicly traded, with over 7 billion shares of common stock in circulation, showcasing investor confidence despite industry challenges.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, total operating revenues at Studio City were $364.7 million, compared with $277.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. Studio City generated an adjusted EBITDA of $92.8 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared with the adjusted EBITDA of $67.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily a result of better performance in all gaming segments and non-gaming operations.

Rolling chip volume was $494.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 versus $713.6 million in the third quarter of 2023, while mass market table games drop increased to $912.9 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared with $809.1 million in the third quarter of 2023.

City of Dreams Manila

City of Dreams, Premium Leisure Corp., Manila, Philippines

For the quarter ended September 30th, total operating revenues at City of Dreams Manila were $118.9 million, down from $124.9 million in the third quarter of 2023. City of Dreams Manila generated an adjusted EBITDA of $45.9 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared with the adjusted EBITDA of $48.7 million in the same period of 2023. The year-on-year drop was primarily a result of softer performance in rolling chip and mass market table games segments, offset by better performance in the gaming machine segment.

The gaming machine handle for the third quarter of 2024 was $1.11 billion.

City of Dreams Mediterranean

Total operating revenues at City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other for the quarter were $64.4 million, compared with $53.4 million in the third quarter of 2023. City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other generated adjusted EBITDA of $15.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $7.2 million in the third quarter of 2023.

The yearly increase was primarily attributable to the operations ramp-up following the opening of City of Dreams Mediterranean in mid-2023, which led to ‘a better performance in the gaming machine segment and non-gaming operations’.

Rolling chip volume was $14.6 million for the third quarter of 2024 versus $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2023.

Mass market table games drop was $138.8 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared with $97.2 million in the third quarter of 2023.

Beyond Macau

Lawrence-Ho-and-Ted-Chan-at-Beijing-Roadshow — _{Lawrence Ho, CEO, Melco Resorts}

The group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lawrence Ho, commented: “Our initiatives to activate areas throughout our properties and drive visitation are coming together.”

Looking beyond Macau, the executive notes “In Manila, despite added competition, City of Dreams’ property EBITDA increased sequentially. City of Dreams Mediterranean and our satellite casinos in Cyprus continue to face challenges due to the conflicts in the region but have had solid increases in property EBITDA quarter-to-quarter.”

NuxGame partners with 7Mojos to expand casino portfolio

Elsewhere

AGBrief Editorial

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November 5, 2024

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NuxGame partners with 7Mojos to expand casino portfolio

NuxGame, a reliable betting and casino software provider, has announced a key new partnership with 7Mojos, a forward-thinking game developer specializing in live casino and slot content.

With the integration of the entire 7Mojos portfolio, NuxGame clients will gain access to an extensive range of live casino offerings and a diverse collection of high-quality slot games. The integration is designed to provide a seamless experience, combining live gaming, back-office management, and engaging content under one roof.

NuxGame offers an impressive selection of live casino features and slot games. The live casino features provide high-quality streaming and interactive elements that enhance the player experience, while the slot offerings are rich in themes, innovative mechanics, and engaging gameplay.

NuxGame continues to build a robust, innovative platform, and this partnership with 7Mojos reflects its ongoing strategy to align with companies that bring unique value to operators. Recent collaborations with TaDa Gaming, LuckyStreak and Gamzix have further bolstered NuxGame’s offering, improving casino experiences and boosting player engagement.

By adding 7Mojos’ dynamic portfolio, NuxGame is expanding its range of next-generation gaming experiences, solidifying its market position and offering even more exciting options to players around the world.

Daniel Heywood, CEO of NuxGame, commented: “This collaboration will expand our gaming portfolio, offering the operators a wider range of premium live casino and slot games, such as roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. We empower our operator partners to offer their players a more diverse and thrilling gaming experience. This will seriously drive player retention and acquisition.”

Stefan Enchev, Chief Commercial Officer at 7Mojos, added: “We are strengthening our network of partners and demonstrating the dedication to providing a wide range of products to players by joining forces with NuxGame. We are excited about the NuxGame opportunity and anticipate a fruitful relationship that will benefit both businesses.”

Mr. Wong Chi Hong, Director of Labour Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (“DSAL”);
Mr. Chan Un Tong, Deputy Director of DSAL;
Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM;
Ms. Angela Leong, Director of SJM and Chairman of the Staff Welfare Consultative Committee of SJM, along with other SJM executives.

Graduates from different programs received certificates from the distinguished guests, acknowledging their achievements.

2024 SJM Talent Development Program Graduation Ceremony honors Emerging Tourism Leaders — _{Mr. Wong Chi Hong, Director of DSAL presents a certificate of appreciation to Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM.}

Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, remarked, “We extend our warm congratulations to all the graduates this year. Talent development is at the heart of our work at SJM, as we continue to support the SAR Government’s vision of ‘Building Macau through Talent Training’ by actively participating in the Labour Affairs Bureau’s ‘Employment + Training’ schemes. We are also grateful to have welcomed several graduates this year into the SJM family, where they can showcase their skills and excel in different roles, as they look to carve out a career in tourism.”

The ceremony recognized graduates who completed the “Career Experience 2024,” “SJM Culinary Career Development Program” and “SJM Excellence Hospitality Ambassador Program”, which are some of the training initiatives that highlight SJM’s unwavering commitment to nurturing young local talents across multiple disciplines.

In particular, the three-month “Career Experience 2024” provided opportunities in different departments, such as Brand Development and Marketing, Finance and Accounts, Food and Beverage, Facilities Management, and Hotel Operations, allowing participants to acquire essential work skills and experience in their respective fields while developing the work ethic and teamwork that would bode well for their future careers.

The 12-month “SJM Culinary Career Development Program” was specially designed for talents in the Food & Beverage industry while the 24-month “SJM Excellence Hospitality Ambassador Program” assisted talents interested in the hospitality industry by offering cross-departmental training and practical work experiences to develop comprehensive job knowledge and skills.

To date, close to 280 graduates have completed the above programs since some of their launch in 2020. Going forward, SJM will continue to uphold its mission of cultivating homegrown talent, fueling the sustainable growth of Macau in the long run, and promoting the diversified and robust development of the city’s economy by bringing new blood into the industry.

The Aurum Roulette Game Show combines the classic excitement of roulette with a unique game show format featuring players’ favourite Aurum mode. Hosted by CreedRoomz’s professional presenters, the new format allows players to experience the thrill of live gaming in a more interactive and dynamic way.

Enhanced Gameplay with Aurum Multiplier Mechanics

Players can enjoy a more dynamic gameplay experience thanks to the updated Aurum Multiplier Mechanics. With increased volatility and higher average multipliers, the game caters to both high-risk players and those who prefer a more conservative approach. The engaging multipliers add excitement to every spin, promising a more rewarding session for all types of players.

Seamless User Experience on Mobile and Desktop

The Aurum Roulette Game Show offers a revamped and intuitive user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) across both mobile and desktop platforms. Designed to be visually appealing and easy to navigate, the game enhances user interaction and satisfaction, ensuring that players enjoy a seamless experience wherever they play.

Boosting Player Engagement

With its innovative mechanics and interactive format, the Aurum Roulette Game Show is poised to increase player engagement and retention across all platforms.

Arturs Fjodorovs, Game Product Manager at CreedRoomz, commented on the launch: “Aurum Roulette launch marks an important step in the development of show games, offering our partners a powerful platform to captivate and engage new players. As part of the exciting Aurum feature overhaul, now available on all roulette tables, this innovative enhancement is more dynamic, volatile, and user-friendly than ever. Early results are already proving its value, with impressive boosts in both player retention and turnover, driving growth for our partners.”

Stay tuned for more exciting updates from CreedRoomz, as we continue to innovate and deliver cutting-edge gaming experiences that captivate players and drive success for our partners.

Focusing on those born after 1990—who are increasingly viewed as essential to the armed forces—the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy utilized social media to advise young sailors against disclosing their military identities online, labeling them as ‘extremely easy’ targets for cybercriminals.

The Navy stressed the necessity of maintaining confidentiality in military roles, stating that sharing personal information over the Internet poses serious security risks.

According to state-run news agency Xinhua, the social media post encouraged personnel to ‘exercise discernment and keep a safe distance when making online friends,’ and to ‘never lose sight of your principles or form random connections with strangers.’

Moreover, the Chinese Navy cautioned against participation in virtual gambling, which is illegal in China. It compared the addiction associated with gambling to being ‘possessed by a demon,’ warning that such habits could lead to a ‘bottomless pit’ of debt.

On November 4th, 2024, a related article from the PLA Navy expanded on the emerging threats posed by the internet in the Global Times, a tabloid associated with the the Chinese Communist Party’s flagship newspaper the People’s Daily.

It noted the significant influence of the internet on soldiers from the post-90s and post-00s generations, who are becoming central to the military.

A naval aviation unit within the PLA Northern Theater Command is actively addressing these new challenges and has developed comics to illustrate online ‘traps,’ intending to improve network risk management and raise awareness about online scams.

The article indicated that certain platforms provide game accelerators and resource-sharing software with integrated ‘VPN’ functions. Although marketed as ‘domestic’, many of these ‘mirror’ servers can transmit information from overseas, creating covert and unpredictable risks. Personnel were urged to remain vigilant regarding the potential hazards associated with ‘VPN’ usage.

Additionally, the Navy warned that unfamiliar push notifications could often be linked to ‘phishing emails’, ‘trojan apps’, or ‘gambling websites’, which may harbor hidden dangers and viruses. Such traps can lead to the theft of personal information, bank passwords, and verification codes.

Given the sensitive nature of their responsibilities, military personnel are advised against revealing their identities online and must remain alert to attempts to extract sensitive information.

The article highlighted that while young soldiers may seek companionship online, disclosing their military affiliation can make them vulnerable to exploitation. It stressed the importance of developing healthy online habits, steering clear of harmful social apps, and being cautious in online interactions.

China’s military aims to project strength through activities such as military drills near Taiwan and patrols in the South China Sea. However, President Xi Jinping, as commander-in-chief, has often pointed out “deep-seated” issues within the armed forces, including corruption and a lack of discipline.

This cautionary message is not limited to junior personnel; Xi has also emphasized the need for unwavering political loyalty from senior military officials.

At a military conference in June, he reiterated the importance of adhering to the Chinese Communist Party’s “absolute leadership” over the PLA, insisting that the military must consistently “uphold core values, maintain integrity, and strictly adhere to discipline.”

Xi has attributed many challenges facing the military to a lack of ideals and beliefs, urging all personnel, particularly senior leaders, to “reflect deeply, engage in self-examination, and pursue genuine improvements”.

The Labor Affairs Bureau’s data further reveal that by the end of September, a total of 210,000 foreign worker employment permits had been issued, a reduction of 1,219 compared to the 211,000 permits issued at the end of August. Since the drop in foreign worker numbers outpaced the decline in employment permits, the foreign-worker employment ratio rose slightly to 86.7 percent.

In terms of industry distribution, by the end of September, the recreational, cultural, gaming, and other services sectors employed 11,002 foreign workers, representing a nearly 30 percent increase from 8,505 in January 2023. This marks a slight rise of 38 workers compared to the 10,964 employed at the end of August.

The Hotels, Restaurants, and Similar Activities sector has consistently been the largest employer of foreign workers in Macau. As of the end of September, this sector employed 52,605 foreign workers, the majority of whom are from mainland China, followed by workers from the Philippines and Vietnam.

This represents a nearly 42 percent increase from the 37,139 foreign workers in the sector at the start of 2023. In September alone, the number of foreign workers in this sector grew by 362.

In a separate investment memo, JP Morgan mentioned that, on the downside, Wynn Macau’s hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) on the peninsula dropped by 29 percent year-on-year, underperforming MGM’s 7 percent year-on-year increase. Cotai also saw a 13 percent year-on-year decline in RevPAR, compared to MGM’s 13 percent year-on-year growth.

Retail rental revenue in Cotai fell by 8 percent quarter-on-quarter, reaching just 74 percent of 3Q19 levels, a worse result than Sands China, which posted an 8 percent overall increase, reaching 97 percent of 3Q19 levels. Notably, 4S (sales, service, spare parts and survey) luxury retail saw no growth quarter-on-quarter, though it still reached 129 percent of its 3Q19 performance.

Wynn Palace, Cotai, Macau, Wynn Resorts — _{Wynn Palace}

Wynn Macau’s property EBITDA came in at $263 million, marking a 6 percent decrease quarter-on-quarter and reaching just 87 percent of its 3Q19 levels. This miss was largely attributed to weaker mass market share, which increased by only 10 basis points quarter-on-quarter.

Additionally, higher rebates on VIP volume, up 11 percent quarter-on-quarter, were partially offset by lower VIP win rates, which impacted overall performance. ‘Management noted that October’s Golden Week Mass revenue was up 30 percent year-on-year, outperforming MGM’s 20 percent year-on-year increase,’ JP Morgan added, while noting that industry-wide Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) was up 24 percent year-on-year.

However, the miss on anticipated results was further driven by Cotai, where EBITDA came in at $162 million, down 12 percent quarter-on-quarter and matching only 100 percent of 3Q19 levels. This decline was more pronounced due to higher VIP rebates, with VIP rolling chip volume rising 14 percent quarter-on-quarter, but VIP luck falling by 1.1 percentage points to 3 percent.

Management also guided that concession-related capital expenditures for Macau would range from $350 million to $425 million through the end of 2024 and into 2025.

In a bid to attract more Southeast Asian tourists, the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has partnered with tourism authorities from Hong Kong and Guangdong to produce a travelogue entitled “Hashtag Travelog” aimed at promoting the Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a top regional destination.

Strong growth in Southeast Asian tourism to Macau

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PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc. (PHR) has reported that Ms. Ma. Angela E. Ignacio has resigned from her position as an independent director.

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Macau gaming operator Melco Resorts saw its operating revenues for the third quarter reach $1.18 billion, up some 16 percent from $1.02 billion for the same period in 3Q23.

City of Dreams Macau

Studio City

City of Dreams Manila

City of Dreams Mediterranean

Beyond Macau

NuxGame, a reliable betting and casino software provider, has announced a key new partnership with 7Mojos, a forward-thinking game developer specializing in live casino and slot content.

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The Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau hosted the 2024 SJM Talent Development Program Graduation Ceremony on November 1, celebrating the completion of three career development programs led by SJM Resorts, S.A. (“SJM”) and honoring nearly 50 graduates.

The event was attended by distinguished guests including:

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CreedRoomz, a leading live casino provider, has announced the launch of its innovative Aurum Roulette Game Show, offering a fresh, interactive experience to players worldwide.

Enhanced Gameplay with Aurum Multiplier Mechanics

Seamless User Experience on Mobile and Desktop

Boosting Player Engagement

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The former Director and Chief Casino Officer of Genting Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) Andrew MacDonald has announced he will now serve as CEO of MagIQ Gaming in Singapore.

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In an uncommon advisory, the Chinese Navy has issued a warning to young officers and military personnel regarding the dangers of online dating scams and virtual gambling.

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According to the latest statistics from the Macau Labor Affairs Bureau, the number of foreign workers in Macau stood at 182,371 at the end of September, a decrease of 859 compared to the 183,230 recorded at the end of August.

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Wynn Macau reported weak non-gaming revenues in its 3Q24 results, reflecting persistent headwinds in key segments such as hospitality and retail, say analysts.

Hotel revenue per available room down 29% YoY

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