澳门新赌场开业 盼吸引游客

The second phase of Galaxy Macau has been unveiled.

Despite declining casino revenues, Galaxy Entertainment Group is still moving forward with the new complex.

It includes 3 luxury hotels, 2 casinos and other entertainment facilities, such as shopping malls, Macau's largest kids park and a 3-thousand-seat theater for live events.

Peter Caveny with Galaxy Entertainment says they've designed the new project to attract more than gamblers.

"We see the emerging middle class in China that is growing rapidly, that is an enormous demand for leisure tourists and travel. We believe this demand will come to Macau, we simply need more hotel rooms and more products offering to attract them and make it easy for them to come here. "

Stats out of Macau show around 10-million people have made their way to the region so far this year.

This is down 3.6-percent compared to the same period last year.

Hotel occupancy rates have dipped below 80-percent.

Even with the slowdown, more hotels are still being built in Macau.

Davis Fong with Macau University says the new developments should help make Macau a cheaper place to visit.

"It used to cost two or three thousand Macau dollars to stay in a hotel overnight, but now you can stay for two nights at the same price. The number of high rollers from the mainland will be relatively steady, and spare rooms could accommodate middle class guests."

Macau overtook Las Vegas as the world's biggest gambling market in 2006.

Gaming makes up more than half of Macau's GDP.

However, the gambling sector in Macau has hit its 11th successive month of declines through April as part of the crackdown on corruption on the mainland.

Galaxy chair Lui Che-woo says they're taking this into account, saying they are working to try to transform Macau into a more diversified tourism hub.

"We have a firm commitment to contribute to the diversification of the region's leisure and entertainment industry. We also promise to develop and nurture local talent and promote local culture to support the economy. Rooted in Macau, we are aligned with the Central Government's vision to help the territory fulfill its potential as a 'World Center of Tourism and Leisure', conducive to Macau's long-term growth."

Macau, a Chinese Special Administrative Region, saw its GDP decline nearly 25 percent in the first quarter year-on-year. Gaming and related industries dropped close to 40 percent.

For CRI, this is Li Jing.