Casino news from http://www.nowrunning.com
As peace and a sense of security returned to Nepal and the tourism industry recorded a seven percent rise in air-borne visitors, Kathmandu opened its seventh casino with eyes on the Indian tourist and women.
Casino Shangri-la, located on the premises of Hotel Shangri-la, the creation of the late author and artist Desmond Doig that was recently upgraded to five-star status, became the latest addition to the network of casinos run by Nepal Recreation Centre, a group headed by an elusive American expatriate with a colourful past, Richard Tuttle.
With casinos proving a strong draw for the Indian tourist, who last month accounted for nearly 50 percent of air arrivals, the group is also mulling opening an eighth casino in Pokhara city, a popular tourist destination, that would be the first outside the capital.
Shalini Wadhwa, chief executive officer of Casino Shangri-la, however, is not perturbed about competition or overkill.
"When the TV channels started, people were asking, do we need so many channels? And now look at the viewership," she says. "A new product always adds something new to the market."
With Casino Shangri-la, Wadhwa is focusing not on gaming but entertainment. The philosophy is - "Have the time of your life" - and for that, besides 10 games spread over 5,000 sq ft, she is also offering a children's corner to lure families, reflexology, an astrologer's tent, floor shows, and special deals planned with the hotel that range from corporate conference trips to honeymooners' package.
Also, keeping in mind the sale value of big names, she is planning to get Indian celebrities for personal interaction with guests and add a touch of glamour.
But the new casino's unique selling point is probably its orientation towards women clients.
"Several women friends told me they don't feel safe while travelling and always go in groups," says Wadhwa. "So we are going to have women's nights when the floor would be closed to men."
Besides having a woman CEO, Casino Shangri-la has women as heads of marketing and sales and human resources; over 60 percent of the nearly 400 staff are women and there are women security guards as well as chauffeurs.
Wadhwa's marketing strategy is to unleash a publicity blitzkrieg in India and Bangladesh. New Delhi-based travel agency Explorers is handling the promotion. Besides, there would be media campaigns, including showing a documentary focusing on Nepal, Hotel Shangri-la and the casino.
"With the spending power of the Indian middle class having gone up, Indians are the most sought after tourists today," says Wadhwa. "Every hotel is marketing in India, every tourism agency is setting up office there."
The Indian tourist, according to a survey done by the Singapore government, spends the most on shopping, foods and beverages and tips. "We aim to give the Indian tourist a quality product that would make them come to Nepal instead of Singapore and Thailand."
However, there's one little snag. Though the Maoist guerrillas, whose decade-old violent movement killed over 13,000 people and choked tourism, have called a ceasefire, cadres straining at the leash are still on the rampage in the industrial sector, shutting down businesses, demanding donation and calling for the ouster of non-Nepali employees.
This month, two Indians working in two casinos in the capital quit after threats to their lives.
"The times are tough," Wadhwa concedes. "But then I started a new media venture three years ago when the business confidence ink was very low. There's never a right time and there's always a right time if you feel you need to do something."
|
|
World Casino Directory 
Gambling Forums 
