A "family-friendly" travel trend is sweeping through Macau's tourism scene — entertainment experiences are now all the rage

▲ The massive 8-shaped Ferris wheel at Studio City Macau (Photo / Studio City Macau fan page)

By Rita

In the past, people’s impression of Macau was pretty much limited to gambling. But it seems the tide is turning. Industry players have sensed another potential customer base, and many newly opened or soon-to-be-completed mega entertainment hubs are quietly shifting their focus toward these visitors.

The newly opened in October 2015Studio City (Studio City Macau)is currently Macau’s most eye-catching world-class integrated entertainment resort. At its center stands a massive 8-shaped Ferris wheel — a rare architectural design worldwide, with the number 8 symbolizing “good fortune” in Chinese culture.According to CNN reports, the entertainment facilities also include a 4D Batman motorcycle simulator and a magic show by world-renowned illusionist Franz Harary; the 40,000-square-meter Warner Bros. theme amusement area features 5,000 seats, as well as Macau’s own Pacha bar.

▲ The massive 8-shaped Ferris wheel at Studio City Macau (Photo / Studio City Macau fan page)

What many Macau operators are aiming for now, including these venues, is to target"family-friendly travel"in the future, and to some extent establish a boundary with gambling. The CEO of Studio City stated that only 5% of the entire complex is dedicated to gambling, with the rest of the facilities focused on delivering entertainment experiences. It offers a total of 1,600 guest rooms.

▲ The Parisian Macao resort by Sands Group (Photo / https://www.sandsretail.com/)

Another highly anticipated project is theSands Group’s “Parisian” resort hotel,set to open in early 2016. It features a replica of the Eiffel Tower — while only half the size of the original in Paris, it is otherwise identical. This is the third large-scale entertainment center developed by Sands in Macau, emphasizing a relaxing, stress-free holiday experience.


▲ The JW Marriott Marquis in Macau, with its transparent sky pool (Photo / Photographer You... Ru)

The Galaxy Macau Phase II hotel, which opened in May, has seen the arrival of international five-star brands such as JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton. In addition to the existing popular artificial wave pool, the Galaxy Group has added a new“Sky Rapids”attraction. Guests can simply lie in the water channel and be carried along a loop around the entire water ride area — a must-visit facility for families.

Currently, the total area of the Galaxy’s “SkyWave Pool” exceeds 75,000 square meters. For families looking to swim and play in the water, experiencing all the attractions can take anywhere from half a day to a full day. These facilities are only open to hotel guests and closed to outside visitors.