In support of the Macao SAR Government’s direction of expanding the international tourist market, MGM organized a five-day familiarization trip for Japanese travel trade representatives from Tokyo between October 14 and 18. During the trip, the representatives visited MGM’s two properties MGM MACAU and MGM COTAI, convention and entertainment facilities, as well as  the world heritage sites in Macau, immersing themselves in Macau’s unique blend of Eastern and Western cultural heritage and rich tourism offerings. Through the familiarization trip, MGM aims to promote the city’s “Tourism+” appeals to the Japanese travelers and potential MICE groups.

MGM had already organized two familiarization trips during March and September for the travel trade industry from Seoul and Busan, South Korea. This Japanese delegation consisted of 16 representatives from Tokyo's MICE, airline, and media sectors. On October 15, MGM hosted a welcome dinner for the delegation at MGM COTAI, to which more than 20 industry peers and associations’ representatives from Hong Kong and Macau were invited. Distinguished guests at the dinner were Betty Fok, Head of the Destination Marketing Department of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Steve Chan, Senior Manager of the Promotional Activities and Development of Conventions and Exhibitions Department of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; Vic Lam, Chief of the Division of Tourism, MICE and Commerce of the Economic Development Bureau of Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin; Kevin Wong, Assistant to Vice President, Commercial cum Regional General Manager - Greater Bay Area of Air Macau Company Limited; and the MGM’s managements.

To showcase Macau’s designation as the Creative City of Gastronomy, MGM arranged a welcome dinner with a lineup of five renowned MGM culinary heads, including Yang Dengquan, Executive Sous Chef who helms the Michelin Star and Black Pearl award-winning restaurant Five Foot Road; Homan Tsui, Executive Chef who leads the Black Pearl-winning  restaurant Imperial Court; Tam Yim Chan, Executive Chef of Chún; Joao Costa Casimiro, Chef de Cuisine of Rossio; and Bruno Le Francois, Executive Pastry Chef of MGM. The sumptuous 10-hands dinner highlighted the essence of Macanese and Chinese cuisines with east-meet-west elements.

Addressing the dinner, Dr. Iwan Dietschi, Senior Vice President of Hospitality of MGM, said, “Since last year, MGM has been proactively expanding our foreign tourist markets in line with the Macao SAR Government’s initiative. Japan has become the third largest among overseas tourist market for Macau and MGM is keen on further tapping into the Japanese market. With Macau’s recent designation as the ‘Culture City of East Asia 2025’, we anticipate a stronger rapport and collaboration between Japan and Macau, in the context of deepening cultural and tourism exchange. To further build on the relationship between Japan and MGM, we are planning to organize more familiarization trips for the Japanese tourism industry.  It is also in our plans to establish sales points in Tokyo and other cities in Japan, to serve the increasing demands of Japanese travelers.” 

One of the representative of the Japanese MICE delegation, Mr. Okuno, said, “We are delighted to have been invited by MGM for this familiarization trip, which has given us a deeper understanding of Macau's unique tourism strengths and positioning. With its rich cultural tourism resources, Macau holds strong appeal for the Japanese. In addition, the collaboration between Macau and Hengqin in the MICE sector presents exciting new opportunities. I look forward to seeing closer cooperation between MICE representatives from Macau and Japan, as we explore future opportunities to drive the sector forward together.”

MGM carefully crafted the itinerary for the Japanese delegation, which included visits to MGM’s hotels and convention facilities. In addition, MGM arranged the “Macau Cruise” for the delegation to traverse Barra and Coloane in comfort by sea. Along the way, they visited heritage sites such as the Ruins of St. Paul’s and A-Ma Temple, as well as the cultural tourism offerings at the Navy Yard in the revitalized Barra District.

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About MGM

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles our presence in Macau. 

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities include the MGM Art Space, dedicating over 5,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.

MGM COTAI is the latest integrated resort of MGM in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, Asia’s first dynamic theater, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.

MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Park MGM. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Jessie Kuan

Executive Director of Public Relations

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3412

Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo

Karen Lam

Senior Corporate Relations Manager

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3421

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo