Sands China said yesterday in a statement that it will hold its second shopping carnival “due to popular demand”.
The US gaming company’s first shopping carnival was held last August.
Sands China held a press conference at the Venetian about the upcoming event.
The 2021 Sands Shopping Carnival will be held at the Venetian’s Cotai Expo on July 23-25.
The statement pointed out that the event will be co-organised with the Macau Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT), Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM).
The event will also support the government’s “Consume for the Economy” initiative and e-consumption subsidy scheme, the statement noted.
The statement underlined that the three-day event will provide a free business platform for local small- or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and retailers amid the pandemic period. It will comprise over 560 booths, an increase of 10 percent over last year.
Aside from retail, the statement highlighted that there will be other activities for families to enjoy, such as an international cuisine food court that will be larger than last year’s, as well as shows, lucky draws and games for children.
Exhibitors can register for a free booth until May 24. For enquiries, exhibitors can call 2855 5000 or email info@macexpo.com.mo.
The statement underlined that COVID-19 prevention measures will be implemented through temperature checks, crowd size monitoring, the mandatory wearing of facemasks, regular cleaning and sanitisation of public areas and kids’ facilities, and the provision of disinfectants and sanitisers in booths and entry/exit points.
Hotels ‘fully booked’ on May 1-2
Meanwhile, Sands China President Wilfred Wong Ying-wai told the media on the sidelines of yesterday’s press conference that Sands China’s hotels were “fully booked” on the first and second days of the Labour Day holiday with an average occupancy rate of 90 percent from May 1 to May 5.
Wong pointed out that the summer holiday season looks positive as mainland tourists have already started booking rooms for their summer break. He added that although the number of visitors has already recovered up to 25 percent from the pre-COVID-19 situation, the recovery progress of the gaming sector is faster than the tourism industry’s as a whole.
Responding to a reporter’s question, Wong said that Sands China had no plans to launch a voluntary layoff plan, adding that for the time being his company was continuing its furlough arrangement and would remain flexible in mobilising manpower whenever necessary.
Sands China President Wilfred Wong Ying-wai talks to reporters on the sidelines of the US gaming company’s press conference about its 2021 Shopping Carnival, at the Venetian’s Sicily Ballroom yesterday. Photo: Everett King
