The Macau Metro Monitor, February 10, 2011
MACAU RECORDS 805,289 VISITOR ARRIVALS DURING CNY Strait Times, Macau Daily Times
According to official government figures, Macau had 805,289 tourist arrivals during CNY, representing 8.6% YoY growth. 477,252 visitors came from mainland China, a 14% gain YoY. Macau's border-gate checkpoint logged the largest number of border movements, with arrivals and departures standing at 754,822 and 786,618 respectively, according to the Immigration Department.
The average daily number of rented hotel rooms rose 1.1% to 16,949; overall ADR gained 14.4% to MOP 1,878.
TOURISM SECTOR PERFORMANCE FOR DECEMBER 2010 STB
Singapore visitor arrivals grew 15.9% YoY to a monthly record, 1,127,000 in December. Visitor days grew 13.1% YoY. Indonesia (262,000), Malaysia (130,000), PR China (100,000), Australia (87,000) and India (74,000) were Singapore's top five visitor-generating markets in December 2010.
MGM MACAU SEEKS LISTING APPROVAL FOR HK IPO IN FEB Reuters
MGM Macau is looking for HK listing approval at the end of February. It was originally scheduled for the 2H 2011. But analysts say the Ho dispute may push back IPO plans. MGM Macau seeks to raise $800MM. BofA, JPM, MS are the joint global coordinators for the deal, and joint books with BNP Paribas, CLSA, DB, and RBS.
LAWMAKER CALLS FOR CASINO SHUTTLE CONTROL Macau Daily Times
Lee Chong Cheng has asked the Government about whether the Administration will roll out special laws or regulations to monitor the number, routes, passenger capacity and parking spaces of the casino shuttle buses. Last year, Macau had 1,451 tourism coaches, 55 more than in 2009.
“The casino shuttle buses do not only station at various border checkpoints and occupy public space, but also increase pressure to the traffic, reduce the turnover rates of vehicles and cause road congestion. The soaring number of casino buses also occupy the parking spaces of heavy vehicles, forcing tourist coaches to park on yellow lines which affects the traffic and leaves a negative image to tourists,” Lee said.
Lee also questioned the appropriateness of continuing to offer tax exemptions to tourist coach imports.
SINGAPOREANS PREFER TO GAMBLE ON LAND, NOT ON SEA Asia One, Channel News Asia
In 2010, S'pore tourism rose 49% YoY in tourism receipts to S$18.8BN, a 10-year high. Together with other sightseeing and entertainment outlets in Singapore, the two IRs contributed 21% in estimated earnings. Meanwhile, gaming ships saw passengers decline 11% YoY, largely due to two gaming ships ceasing operations. Some gaming ships are no longer making Singapore one of their ports of call, says Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) Chief Executive, Ms Aw Kah Peng.
STB expects 2011 tourism to grow but not at the "exceptional" levels of 2010.