SJM Board of Directors Chairman Daisy Ho Chiu Fung told reporters yesterday that her company is aiming to open the first phase of Grand Lisboa Palace (上葡京)in Cotai tomorrow.
Ho made the remarks on the sidelines of yesterday’s Appreciation Tour for SJM’s exhibition entitled “Harmony of East and West – The Exhibition by Famous Local Artists” at Grand Lisboa in the city centre.
According to Ho, as the licensing process for the opening is almost completed, she expects the first phase of Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) to be open to the public tomorrow. She said that the other phases will gradually open up depending on the authorities’ COVID-19 travel restrictions.
She added that the first phase includes 300 rooms in one of the hotel towers of Grand Lisboa Palace and a series of restaurants. She said that more rooms will open to the public depending on the booking situation. She noted that the government has approved 150 gaming tables and her team is working on the allocation of them.
She underlined that her staff members have been preparing for the opening and have gone through simulations, stressing that the amenities are of “good quality”.
When asked about the grand opening ceremony, Ho said that it depends on the travel restrictions as her company would like to have guests from Hong Kong, the mainland and overseas at the ceremony. She also said that her company is striving to have the entire premises open by the end of this year. However, Ho said the grand opening does not solely depend on the Hong Kong guest arrivals but “a combination of things”.
Ho also admitted that she was not too worried about the COVID-19 situation because she believes that “the worst part is over” and even though there are minor outbreaks in the mainland, it does not heavily impact the number of Macau’s visitor arrivals.
When asked whether there will be collaboration between Grand Lisboa Palace and the nearby Lisboeta (葡京人), she said “nothing is impossible” as they are “neighbours” but now her company is focusing on the opening of Grand Lisboa Palace.
According to previous news reports, the construction of Grand Lisboa Palace started in 2014 February and was initially expected to open in 2017 but later rescheduled to 2018. However, due to a string of reasons, the resort later delayed its opening to 2019 and is now finally set to open this year.
SJM Board of Directors Chairman Daisy Ho Chiu Fung (centre) talks to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s Appreciation Tour for (SJM) exhibition entitled “Harmony of East and West – The Exhibition by Famous Local Artists” at Grand Lisboa as SJM executives Ambrose So Shu Fai (right) and Angela Leong On Kei look on. Photo: Hermoine Chan
This undated handout photo provided by Grand Lisboa Palace earlier this month shows the exterior of the soon-opening resort in Cotai.
