Sands China marked 20 years since the establishment of its first property, Sands Macao, with a live performance by Macanese award-winning Macanese singer Germano Guilherme (also known as German Ku), dance performances and a pyrotechnic show at the resort on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Sands China’s executive vice-chairman Wilfred Wong said that “the grand inauguration of Sands Macao in 2004 served as the pivotal moment in Macao’s illustrious era of tourism,” adding that the company’s subsequent investments in Cotai have brought to life the aspirations of the late Sheldon G. Adelson, founder of US gambling giant the Las Vegas Sands (LVS). Sands China is the Macao-based subsidiary of LVS.
[See more: Las Vegas Sands increases its stake in Sands China]
During his speech, he noted the drastic changes the city has undergone over the last two decades and emphasised Sands China’s participation in Macao’s development. Since its inception in 2004, the gaming operator’s portfolio has expanded from one to five properties, currently comprising 12,000 rooms and suites, two arenas and four theatres, in addition to 150 dining outlets. According to the operator, the five properties represent an investment of over US$15 billion dollars (approximately 120 billion patacas).
The Londoner Macao resort is the latest addition to the portfolio, which also includes the Venetian Macao, Cotai’s first integrated resort established in 2007.
[Partner Feature: 20 years of progress: The Sands Macao story told by those who lived it]
Officiating guests at the ceremony included Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, former chief executive Edmund Ho (currently the vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) and Kou Hoi In, president of the Legislative Assembly. After the commemorative event, a group of guests enjoyed a gala dinner, followed by a live performance by UK vocal group, the Overtones.
[See more: Macao is on track to welcome two million foreign visitors this year, MGTO says]
Previously, on 10 May, Sands China hosted members of the nonprofit Fuhong Society of Macau, who, together with several members of the Sands Cares Ambassador programme, created an artwork based on the theme of the milestone anniversary.
Sands China is one of six concessionaires in Macao and has pledged to invest US$3.7 million (30.2 billion patacas) in the city through 2032, after receiving the licence for a 10-year gaming concession in December 2022.
