The opening of the $3.2bn Studio City casino resort ushers in a “new era” for Macau, claimed Melco Crown Entertainment co-chairman Lawrence Ho.

Studio City facade 1

The new movie-inspired leisure destination was officially unveiled last week with a star-studded grand opening event featuring Hollywood stars Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as international singing star Mariah Carey.

Located on Cotai, Studio City boasts the world’s highest figure-of-eight Ferris wheel and a host of other attractions.

“Today marks the start of a new era of leisure destination entertainment for Macau. Having these fabulous stars of stage and screen here with us is a dream come true and stands testimony to Studio City’s entertainment proposition as Asia’s capital of entertainment,” Ho said. “We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Central and Macau governments in our ambition to help develop Macau into a world centre of leisure tourism and to offer unprecedented non-gaming careers for local Macau employees.

“I am confident that Studio City’s offering of cinematically-themed entertainment, retail, food and beverage and accommodation options will play a key role in contributing meaningfully to the economic and employment diversification of Macau.”