Doom and gloom in Macau helps other Asian gaming destinations
As I sit down to write this on February 10th, there is nothing but doom and gloom for the Macau gaming industry. The visa rules have changed making it tougher for Chinese to visit Macau and right now many casino players are staying away from Macau for a variety of factors mostly to do with the prevailing state of play in mainland China.
Macau’s loss is the gain of other gaming venues throughout Asia such as the superb Resorts World Manila in the Philippines and the uber-luxurious The Grand at Ho Tram in Vietnam. I finally had the opportunity to visit Ho Tram last November and was blown away by the 5-star service, world-class golf course, magnificent restaurants, gorgeous hotel rooms, incredibly sunny weather and luxurious pools and beach. I had heard the property was spectacular but getting there was a problem. The first part of that advice was correct but the second was so wrong.
It was a very comfortable, scenic and relaxed two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City airport to Ho Tram and I was lucky enough to do it in one of Ho Tram’s luxurious VIP “Sprinters” – which feel more like the first class cabin of a plane than a motor vehicle. The vehicles have a phone to call the driver (who is on the other side of a closed partition), an enormous flat-screen TV, USB hubs, luxurious leather seats, fold-out dining tables and Wi-Fi for the entire journey.
Where else in Asia can you find a luxurious full-service destination integrated resort with a fantastic spa, great nightclub and gleaming swimming pools just steps from a two kilometer long sandy beach only two hours from the heart of a major city? I had such a great time at Ho Tram and have such great faith in the long-term prospects of the property that WGM’s parent company World Gaming Group signed a long-term deal partnering with the property to develop Ho Tram’s poker offering. We hope to soon be able to announce a major poker tournament at the property in mid May. Watch this space!
And as always, follow the Dragon,
Andrew W Scott
CEO
