Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | September 2012 60 the front cover,” says the same analyst. “It is very much an iconic attraction for people coming from all around the world.” Moreover, good business sense at MBS has been able to successfully translate that into chunky profit margins. The high prices the resort charges for the attractions that go along with its casino beggar belief, and yet it maintains near full occupancy in its hotel and plenty of bums in seats in its restaurants. “Any hotel that can charge that room rate and still achieve 99% occupancy, that’s something special,” the analyst says. “And if you go by for lunch over there or dinner, the bill is just horrendous. Their pricing premium is really something to be marveled at.” One thing Genting has undoubtedly done well is pack Resorts World with world- class attractions to entice visitors, both domestic and international, to make the trip across the water to Sentosa Island. The year it opened, RWS premiered attractions like “Voyage de la Vie” and the popular “Crane Dance”. Mr Robuchon opened his restaurant in April 2011, and the grand opening of Universal Studios went off with a bang the following month. Rather than resting on its laurels, Genting has continued to expand its attractions since then, opening the Experiential Museum & Aquarium lastOctober—thefirst component of its adjoining West Zone development— and adding a popular “Transformers” ride to Universal Studios in December. Location, Location While Universal Studios and Joel Robuchon undoubtedly attract both local and foreign customers, MBS still seems to have broader appeal. The clientele at RWS sometimes appears to be more local. But MBS attracts arrivals from all over the world. “If you stand back, take a look at the floor and look at the customers, it’s a far more diversified customer [base] than you find at RWS,” says the analyst quoted earlier. “It’s far more global and international at both the mass and VIP level, which is quite interesting.” Another advantage is location and the One thing Genting has undoubtedly done well is pack Resorts World with world-class attractions to entice visitors to make the trip across the water to Sentosa Island. Rather than resting on its laurels, it has continued to expand its attractions, opening the Experiential Museum & Aquarium last October and adding a popular “Transformers” ride to Universal Studios. Feature