Sri Lanka has set an ambitious target of welcoming 500,000 visitors from India in 2025, positioning Indian tourists as a cornerstone of its tourism recovery initiatives. With demand for short-haul travel rising and India currently leading as Sri Lanka’s top source market, the goal reflects both geographic convenience and strategic focus on high-growth potential segments like weddings and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism.
In a keynote delivered at the IAG Academy Summit in Manila, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco revealed that the agency has formally submitted documentation to the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG) seeking approval to privatize its Casino Filipino properties. This move marks a significant step in decoupling PAGCOR’s simultaneous regulator and operator roles, a structure Tengco likened to “a referee also playing on the same court.”
Vietnam’s The Grand Ho Tram—under the ownership of Warburg Pincus and Masterise Group—is moving ahead with bold proposals to construct a high-speed, four-lane expressway, improving connectivity to the soon-to-open Long Thanh International Airport. Their vision comes at a pivotal moment as Long Thanh, set to be Vietnam’s largest aviation hub, edges closer to its projected launch in 2026. The proposed expressway spans roughly 42 km and aims to slash transit times between the resort and the airport, which currently stands at a hefty 78 km.
In a strategic move that signals a sharper focus on its core digital brands, Entain has placed its Australian venues operations—primarily the Australian Poker League (APL) and its rapidly expanding trivia division—on the block. Preliminary sales documents have been dispatched to private equity firms, underscoring that these in-venue entertainment offerings are no longer central to Entain’s vision. Instead, the company appears intent on doubling down on its sports betting brands Ladbrokes and Neds, which remain at the heart of its Australian strategy.
MGM China has unveiled a creative new promotional campaign aimed at defending and possibly expanding its market share in Macau's competitive casino landscape. According to a note from Citigroup analysts George Choi and Timoth Chau, the operator is offering players the opportunity to redeem loyalty points in exchange for collectible mini Labubu toys—a popular plush item freshly released on August 29. At the same time, players who place side bets totalling HK$5,000 or more are entered into a draw for a rolex watch. This dual incentive package is seen as a “cost-effective way” to attract and retain players amid rising regional competition.
Author: Janice Chew • Tuesday, 09/09/2025
