New Sofitel Macau to revitalize city's historic waterfront
Press Release

HONG KONG - Accor has been awarded the management contract for Sofitel Macau@Ponte16 in one of Macau’s most significant and historic precincts.

The hotel is being developed by Pier 16 – Property Development Limited as part of an estimated HK$2.4 billion (US$300 million) total investment completed in two phases, with a casino development targeting operation by the end of 2006, and the Sofitel Macau@Ponte 16 scheduled to open in late 2007.

The Sofitel will be one of Macau’s most prestigious deluxe hotels. Built around the remaining façade of Pier 16, the 17-storey Sofitel Macau will have 440-rooms, two restaurants and two bars, swimming pool, a spa and wellness centre, business centre, and a 700 sqm multi-function conference room plus additional meeting rooms. The hotel will also have a Sofitel Club Lounge and Sofitel Club Executive floors.

The Ponte 16 site is located in the Inner Harbour of Macau’s Pier 16, one of the oldest districts in the former Portuguese enclave. Architectural design of the Sofitel and the entire development will reflect the city’s colonial past, to blend harmoniously with the ambience of the ‘Historic Centre of Macau’, China’s 31st World Heritage Site.

The development will echo the Inner Harbour area’s historical relics and heritage, protecting landmarks such as the Old Clock Tower, the focal point of project. Sofitel Macau@Ponte 16 will be on the right side of the Clock Tower, the left side will house retail shops, restaurants, a Cineplex and massive casino complex. Cobblestone streets will connect the different sectors of a project site which covers over 23,000 sqm. A promenade will be built along the Ponte 16 waterfront to provide a venue for outdoor performances and other recreational activities.

Sofitel Macau@Ponte 16 will be within walking distance to the ‘Historic Centre of Macau’, which is a living representation of the city’s original settlement, encompassing its architectural heritage interwoven in its streetscapes and piazzas. These provide a link to a succession of over twenty monuments, including St Dominic’s Church, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, sections of the Old City Walls and the Mount Fortress.

Sofitel Macau@Ponte 16 is part of the largest-ever expansion of the Sofitel brand in China and the Asia Pacific region. Accor currently manages 11 Sofitels around China, with at least 12 more scheduled to open before the end of 2007, giving China the largest number of Sofitels in any one country outside France.

Accor Asia Pacific Managing Director, Michael Issenberg, said Sofitel Macau@Ponte 16 gives Sofitel a very prestigious address in one of Asia’s most recognizable cities, strengthening its position as China’s leading and fastest growing luxury hotel brand.

“The opening of Sofitel Macau@Ponte 16 will play an important role in highlighting Sofitel’s fast growing network in China and the brand’s presence in key commercial capitals in Asia,” he said.

“Macau International Airport is quickly becoming a major gateway to China as well as a regional hub for Asia because of the competitive landing fees.”

According to Mr Issenberg, the recent announcement of two new Macau-based carriers focusing on domestic and regional routes could attract a new generation of potential customers to Macau.

“Macau’s image as a leisure destination is maturing, with more higher-yield and repeat visitors attracted by the dramatic development and top-class gaming and entertainment available,” he said

“The vast interest in historic cities bodes well for Macau, and with the developers commitment to maintaining the historic integrity of the waterfront district, we believe the Sofitel will attract strong interest from visitors from around the world seeking all the modern attractions that Macau offers, combined with historical ambience and character.”

Macau received over 19 million total visitors during 2005 including more than 1 million international passengers at Macau International Airport, an increase of 21% over 2004.

This important addition further enhances Accor’s strategy of building a comprehensive network of Sofitels hotels around China. Adding Sofitel Macau@Ponte16 in one of Asia’s great iconic cities greatly enhances Accor’s already significant presence in China’s key commercial and leisure centres, complementing other recent additions to the network in Xian, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Xiamen, Nanjing and Chongqing.

Be the end of 2007 there are scheduled to be 56 Sofitel hotels in operation around Asia Pacific, making Sofitel the largest 5-star hotel brand in the Asia Pacific region.

Rules for Broward slot machines called 'a huge gift to Indian casinos'
As Reported by Sun-Sentinel

FLORIDA - The state's first draft of regulations for slot machines is in, and it doesn't look good for the county's four pari-mutuels.

There would be no ATMs inside halls where slot machines chime. Owners would not be allowed to give freebies to entice gamblers. Poker tables would have to be removed.

"This whole deal stinks," said Gil Norris, 62, an occasional poker player who was on his way into Pompano Park to bet on a few horses Tuesday. "The voters here voted for this. ... I don't understand it."

Nor do the pari-mutuels in Broward County, which won the right to operate slot machines in a 2004 statewide vote. They've been waiting for the Legislature to write and pass regulations so they know what kind of gaming houses they can build.

Marc Dunbar, attorney for Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, said a proposed rule requiring slot machine operators to give up their card room licenses would put them at "a massive disadvantage" because Indian casinos face no such restrictions.

He said the rule was bad for business and consumers who want as many gambling options as possible under one roof, the grand vision behind several new multimillion-dollar gambling venues being planned.

"This would be a huge gift to the Indian casinos," said Dunbar, one of about 60 people at a public workshop at Hollywood City Hall on Tuesday to comment on the proposed rules. "We've been jousting with [the state] on this for a while now privately. I have a feeling it will be decided by a judge sometime in the future."

Joseph Helton, chief attorney for the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, said the rule stems from state law that says: "No person licensed to operate a card room may conduct any banking game or any game not specifically authorized by this section."

"It's a plain reading," Helton said. "I've heard people say they don't like it, but I haven't heard a legal standpoint" against it.

Dan Adkins, vice president of Hollywood Greyhound, said that if such an interpretation were correct, than jai-alai venues wouldn't have card tables.

"The way you are interpreting this, you couldn't play Monopoly," Adkins said.

Local pari-mutuels tried to poke holes in another proposal to keep slot machine patrons from electronically wiring money in and out of casinos. David Roberts, director for the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, said state law already prohibits ATMs in such places, and authorities now propose nixing all electronic transactions to guard against money laundering.

Operators said it would be a security disaster, forcing gamblers to walk in and out with large amount of money -- and big bulls-eyes on their backs.

"If someone hits a jackpot, why wouldn't it make sense for them to be able to transfer that electronically?" Dunbar said.

Another sticking point: A ban on "comps," free items that casinos give to gamblers -- something as simple as a T-shirt or as flamboyant as a new car -- to entice them into betting more often.

State officials said casinos have used comps to make their revenue appear to be smaller and evade taxes.

Robert Norton, vice president of gaming operations for Isle of Capri, which owns the harness track in Pompano Beach, argued that comps are allowed across the United States and are necessary to reward loyal players.

A public workshop on the proposed rules continues today, from 9 a.m. until noon, at Hollywood City Hall.

A formal hearing on the rules will not be set for at least a month after that.

After that hearing, formal objections can be filed, and an administrative judge will rule on areas of legal disagreement.