Macau's latest luxury hotel, the St Regis, will focus on the family, not gambling
Upmarket St Regis to focus on families and conventions, not just gambling, say bosses
A luxury hotel set to open in Macau's latest gambling development zone in the winter says it can attract patrons even without a casino dominating its business, promising to focus instead on family and convention services.
To that end, the St Regis will target big spenders with a taste for luxurious butler service.
Gaming income continues to fall in Macau, as the mainland's slowing economy and anti-corruption drive take their toll. Revenue dropped 39.4 per cent last month from a year ago - the 10th consecutive monthly decline.
Macau Chief Executive Dr Fernando Chui Sai-on has called on hospitality providers to diversify into non-betting businesses.
Joseph Dolp, managing director of St Regis and the existing Sheraton, both part of the Starwood Group, said gaming would not be the focus of the new hotel.
"It's there. If you really want it, it will be there. But it's not in your face," Dolp told the South China Morning Post.
The two Macau hotels are part of the Sands Cotai Central project run by Sands China, which also owns the landmark Venetian. Located on the Cotai Strip, they are set to be surrounded by a slew of new casinos and hotels, including two by the Galaxy Entertainment Group later this month.