Galaxy Entertainment Group Vice Chairman, Francis Lui, says the company’s stalled Boracay casino resort project is the type of project the Philippines holiday island needs to elevate it back to its former position.
Discussing the company’s plans in a wide-ranging interview to appear in the upcoming March issue of Inside Asian Gaming, to be released this week, Lui confirmed that Galaxy has not given up on the planned US$500 million development despite Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s stating last year that he would allow no casinos to be built on Boracay.
Duterte’s assertion came shortly after Galaxy and its local partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp were granted a provisional casino license from Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR.
“We’re still communicating through our partner,” Lui told IAG in regards to ongoing discussions with the government.
“We are still wanting the people there to understand there’s a misconception. I’m sure that once the truth is being told and understood about how our project would not be a big project, then people will come to know that this is the type of project that is needed to invigorate the brand Boracay used to have.
“It’s always been one of the top five beach islands of the world and we truly want to be part of it and make sure we would be able to elevate it back to the same position as before.”
Echoing comments made last year by his father and GEG Chairman Lui Che Woo about the company’s intention to lure high-end customers to the Boracay resort, Lui added, “It’s a new concept we want to try. We feel like customers are sophisticated enough to be loving the sun and the sea. They’d like to have an alternative destination and Boracay seems to be the perfect place.
“We’re not thinking about bringing Galaxy (Macau) to Boracay. No. We’re going to bring a low density eco-friendly resort, a beach resort, to Boracay. It’s very different.”
The March 2019 edition of Inside Asian Gaming will be available from Wednesday 27 February 2019.
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