PW SEPT08 P22-24.qxd 8/18/08 1:51 pm Page 23
Show Review
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like this, but we’ve made some good quality really was more important than
The Golden Horse booth
contacts,” reported Wyeth Tracy of Empex quantity on this occasion.
Watertoys. “People here are still working out In 2009, Asian Attractions Expo moves to
what’s out there, they’re taking a lot of South Korea, taking place at the COEX
brochures, but Macau is not great.” Convention and Exhibition Center in Seoul
“We are not too satisfied,” reported Marina from June 10 to 12. According to IAAPA more
Ernst of Zierer. “It started well for the first few than more than 1,200 square metres of floor
hours on Wednesday, it looked crowded, but space is already sold.
there were not too many good people. Maybe “We are very excited about hosting the
some more will come in for the weekend on 2009 event in Seoul,” concludes IAAPA
Friday and stay for the casinos.” president and CEO, Charlie Bray. “The fact
Complete not only with its casino but also, that 40% of exhibit space is already sold a
as in Las Vegas, an integrated shopping mall, year in advance reinforces the Expo’s position
canals, bars and restaurants, The Venetian as the premier gathering for the attractions
Macao-Resort-Hotel seemed like a great industry in Asia.”
seeing the weight of people he would have venue for the Expo. It’s quite
liked in Macau: “There’s no new customers possible, however, that some
Wednesday night’s Opening Reception
here, the show is lousy! I am scared for next visitors never left the complex
year.” for the entire duration of the
event, and some hotel guests
Permit Problems even needed a map navigate
Of concern to some other exhibitors was the their own room! It was almost
belief that potential visitors from the mainland too convenient.
had stayed away because of difficulty Getting to Macau, on the
obtaining the domestic Exit-Entry permit other hand, was not, which
(similar to a visa) required to travel to Macau. surely explained the dip in
“It’s slow, slow, slow!” grumbled Kurt Mack- attendance. Yet with Asia, and
Even over at the Mack Rides booth. “We are China in particular, being one
not seeing many Chinese people because of of the few growth areas in the
the visa problems.” world right now for the
“We do not expect huge crowds at a show amusement industry, maybe
Asia Tourism & Attractions Summit
After three years in Shanghai, the Gary Goddard, currently working on a number Gary Goddard’s keynote highlighting 10
Avail Corporation took its attractions of projects in Asia, including the Galaxy Casino emerging trends. Perhaps one of the most
industry conference to Macau for the and Resort on Macau’s Cotai Strip. Casinos pertinent points for developers of attractions in
first time this summer, where it are of course big business in Macau. Asia was Gary’s observation that, “everyone
welcomed delegates at the Mandarin The first session proper was delivered by wants to be Orlando” – Dubailand for
Oriental Hotel on July 14 and 15 Sharam Saber of the Pacific Asia Travel example. He also highlighted the increasing
Association (PATA). While identifying some amount of synergy between gaming and
R
enamed the Asia Tourism & Attractions impressive growth forecasts for the region, he entertainment. Yet while gaming revenues in
Summit, the former China Themed nevertheless declared that, “the days of build Macau are high, the area has so far failed to
Attractions Summit was actually the it and they will come are over.” Low cost air offer as drivers the kind of family entertainment
second conference to take place in as many travel, in nearly all markets except India, was options available in Las Vegas. For this reason
months following a rival event set up by a fuelling demand for tourism within Asia, but Gary cited the arrival of Cirque du Soleil,
former member of Avail’s staff. This, rising fuel prices were threatening to curtail it opening September at The Venetian, as a
inevitably, diluted attendance, but all those beyond that. Surprisingly, however, natural pivotal moment.
Park World spoke to in Macau said they got disasters had less of an effect: “They knock
something out of it, and it’s noticeable that consumer confidence out of the market, but
Gary Goddard
sponsors such as Action Park, Jack Rouse people will return after a few years.” Saber’s
delivers his keynote
Associates and Vekoma have stuck with it over predictions for the future were for more presentation
the years. integrated destination offerings for time-poor
Delegates this time comprised a mix of consumers. “If you don’t offer it all in one
operators, developers, suppliers and industry place, there are plenty of other places that
consultants, including representatives of will,” he concluded.
organisations as diverse as the American
Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Emerging Trends
Disneyland, the Macau Tower, Singapore Zoo A session about waterpark theming from
and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Alfonso Ribarrocha of Action Park was next,
Presiding over the first day as chairman was one of several sponsor presentations, before
SEPTEMBER 2008
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