Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAPAN MAY 2021 34 undergo a fundamental change. A continued shift to premium direct (VIP) and premium mass occurring in Macau will continue to accelerate.” OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS Macau’s six gaming concessionaires reported revenues roughly back to around 30% of pre-COVID levels in 4Q20, with five of the six – SJM Holdings being the exception – printing positive EBITDA for the period. While all six still recorded a net loss, it highlighted the unique opportunity Macau’s open border with mainland China provides when compared with other jurisdictions still cut off from their key feeder markets. “More than 70% of Macau’s visitation was from China anyway before the pandemic, and the majority of that was from Guangdong Province,” offers Glenn McCartney, Associate Professor of International Integrated Resort Management at the University of Macau. “Despite that, penetration into China in terms of second-tier cities is still small, so there is a huge opportunity there for Macau to spread its message more.” McCartney points to a series of recent roadshows conducted inmainlandChinaby theMacaoGovernment Tourism Office (MGTO), including Macao Week in Hangzhou in late March, as important initiatives that can further tap into the enormous Chinese market – particularly during these COVID-19 times. The roadshows have been promoting Macau as a “healthy, safe and quality” destination in an effort to encourage visitor confidence. “We’re seeing the MGTO team up with the integrated resorts a lot more now because of COVID-19, and I want to see more of that collaboration where they come together to create a common message to take into China.” – Glenn McCartney. 「中国本土の二線都市に関していえば浸透はまだ薄いために、マカ オにとってそのメッセージをさらに広めるための大きなチャンスがあ る」 – グレン・マッカートニー COVER STORY