Predictions

1999

Total cost to the government projected to be about $23 billion. It estimated a 10 per cent return per year on its 57 per cent investment.

This was based on 5.2 million visitors in the opening year, with an average increase of 4.7 per cent a year up to year 16 and stabilising at 10.5 million thereafter.

Projections saw 75 per cent of visitors coming from the mainland, rising to 83 per cent in the next 15 years.

The project was expected to create up to 35,800 new jobs.

2005