The construction of the largest casino-resort in Europe started with the groundbreaking ceremony, which was made by the President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiades, Melco's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lawrence Ho and CEO of the CNS Group, Melis Shacolas. At the same time, the opening of the temporary casino in Zakaki, Limassol, is scheduled on June 28, 2018, with the official inauguration planned for September.
The largest in Europe
Set to open in Limassol in 2021, the resort will offer a range of attractions and entertainment options beyond gaming, including recreation and MICE facilities currently not available in Cyprus, making City of Dreams Mediterranean a must-visit destination. City of Dreams Mediterranean will be built in western Limassol following the highest standards of sustainable development to suit the natural environment. It will become Europe’s biggest Integrated Casino Resort (ICR) with gaming areas offering a total of 136 tables and 1,200 gaming machines, a five-star hotel with luxury villas and 500 hotel rooms, 11 restaurants and cafeterias, wellness and sports centers, an extensive pool area with river woods and surf pools, a high-end retail space and an outdoor amphitheatre set in its extensive green surrounds.
To tap into the burgeoning conference industry, City of Dreams Mediterranean will offer 9,600m² of MICE facilities with a convention expo center. The pioneering project, a landmark for Cyprus and the wider region, is expected to attract an additional 300,000 tourists per year, firmly putting Cyprus on the map as an international conference destination. City of Dreams Mediterranean will create an estimated 4,000 local job opportunities during the construction phase and approximately 2,400 permanent jobs once it is fully operational. After the second year of operation, the Integrated Resort is expected to contribute approximately €700 million per year to the Cyprus economy, accounting for around 4% of the country’s annual GDP.
At the Heart of the new tourism strategy
During the ceremony, President Anastasiades pointed out that City of Dreams Mediterranean is at the heart of the new tourism strategy of the government for 2030 which takes on a comprehensive and holistic approach with parallel actions, aiming at reducing seasonality and targeting the premium market. He also said the Cyprus has all the prerequisites to be established as a regional and global premium destination, a genuine point of reference for luxury tourism and responsible gaming, noting that the casino resort will have extraordinary benefits for Cyprus’ economy with a positive impact on the country’s Gross Domestic Product and in tackling unemployment.
Expansion of Melco outside Asia
In his address, Chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Mr Lawrence Ho, explained that the construction of City of Dreams Mediterranean, Europe’s largest Integrated Casino Resort, and Melco’s first expansion outside Asia begins. “I am honoured and grateful for the trust the Cypriot government has placed in Melco and CNS to carry out this ambitious and exciting project. Today, we are not just laying the foundation stone of the ICR, but also entering a new era for Limassol, and for Cyprus as a whole. Our project will contribute significantly to the country’s efforts for sustainable economic growth and an increase in employment rates.”
On June 28 the interim
At the same time, he revealed that a pop-up casino, called “Cyprus Casinos”, also located in Limassol, will open its doors to the public on June 28. He commented that the opening marks a “significant milestone as it will be the first authorized casino in Cyprus operating under the new Cyprus Legislation & Regulations. The casino will also operate following Melco’s high professional standards, with a particular emphasis on Responsible Gaming.”
After the groundbreaking ceremony, media representatives had the opportunity to get a tour at the temporary casino by President of City of Dreams Mediterranean and Cyprus Casinos, Mr. Craig Ballantyne.
Pop-up casino in numbers
In a total area of 4.600 sq.m. and 1,300 sq.m. the casino will host 33 tables and 242 gaming machines, a VIP gaming space, as well as a restaurant and two bars. When the City of Dreams Mediterranean casino resort is launched in 2021, the pop-up casino will cease operations and all personnel will automatically be transferred to the ICR.
It is noted that 500 people already have been employed by Melco and 75% of them are Cypriots.
