Inside Asian Gaming

May 2016 inside asian gaming 9 wait to cross over, followed by another hour of Macau-style public transport and congestion. Even when the entire infrastructure connecting to HMZB gets built, it’s not clear if Macau will do much with the improved access for international tourists. Visitors from outside Greater China currently make up less than 10% of those visiting the city. Macau’s limited international appeal was underlined this year by a CLSA survey of Chinese tourists, which found that less 8% of those who had visited planned to return. This compared to 37% saying they wanted to make a second trip to Japan, and 32% for Thailand. Looking at how Macau can improve its appeal as an international tourism destination is a whole different discussion. But it’s clear that a lot needs tobedonebefore the city can take full advantageof theopportunities promised by the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Thai durian and Alaskan salmon via Chek Lap Kok’s highly efficient logistics terminal. And the number of air passengers passing through Macau airport could slump, as incoming gamblers opt instead to fly in to its swankier counterpart. In short then, while HMZB will make little difference to tourist arrivals from Hong Kong or Southern China, it could greatly improve access to Macau from further afield. Will Macau rise to the opportunity? Google Earth users looking down at the Zhuhai/Macau Boundary Crossing Facilities today can see two roads already linking the artificial island to mainland China. One runs north to the headland of Siu Pai, and a thicker highway route westward connects to Zhuhai’s border crossing with Macau. But work has yet to start on a direct connection to Macau itself. Macau’s ultimate gateway to the bridge will be a 138 hectare artificial island reclaimed between the Zhuhai/Macau Boundary Crossing Facilities and the Macau peninsula, called Zone A. The completion date for this new piece of land was recently postponed, although eventually it will support enough residences to house 100,000 people. To add to this, Macau’s first Five Year Plan recently outlined a fourth cross-harbor bridge (see map). It will connect Zone A to Taipa at another area of reclaimed land on Taipa’s northeast coast called Zone E. The new span aims to make for a quick road journey from the Zhuhai/Macau Boundary Crossing Facilities, via Once completed, the infrastructure connecting Macau with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will include a fourth cross-harbor bridge connecting Zone A with Taipa, and a spur line connecting the Zhuhai/Macau Boundary Crossing Facilities with Macau’s light rail. Zone A Zone E Fourth Bridge Macau peninsula Taipa Cotai Zhuhai/Macau Boundary Crossing Facilities “The new route from Macau to Hong Kong International Airport will be shorter than the existing route to the airport from Central Hong Kong. This world-class aviation hub will belong to Macau.” Zone A to the casinos of Cotai. Work on it is scheduled to start next year, with opening slated for 2020. But it’s not certain that this deadline will be met. Unfortunately Macau has not shown itself to be a world leader at building infrastructure, as is evidenced by the history of its light railway. Phase 1 of this project, comprising 11 stations on Taipa and Cotai, was originally scheduled to open in 2014. But in reality it will unlikely be operational before 2020. A second line running from Taipa up to the northern border with Zhuhai is also planned. And there should be a spur line shuttling back and forth between a station at Macau’s main ferry pier and the Zhuhai/Macau Boundary Crossing Facilities. But work has yet to start on the rail connection, so it’s anybody’s guess when it will be finished. Joey Lao’s prediction that the full benefits of the HMZB link will be reaped by future generations in Macau may therefore be prescient. In a few years’ time, a trans-delta coach may be whisking air passengers from Hong Kong International Airport to Macau in 20 minutes. Upon arrival at the Zhuhai border, however, they may encounter the setup familiar to the Macau generation of today. That means an hour’s Cover Story