Adele Turns Down Residency Show in Macau; Chief Executive Candidate Bares Plans to Rejuvenate Macau’s Tourism

Sam Hou Fai, the presumptive Chief Executive of Macau, emphasized the need for more residency shows in the city’s casinos. Speaking to a local audience selected by random draw, he argued that these performances could significantly enhance Macau’s appeal to international tourists.

According to The Macao News, Sam outlined his vision for the region’s entertainment and economic future during the town hall meeting held on October 5, 2024.

In his address, Sam pointed to the missed opportunity when a prominent UK pop star, believed to be Adele, declined a lucrative residency offer worth approximately $200 million from one of Macau’s six casino operators.

According to The Daily Mail, Adele opted to forgo a staggering $200 million offer—her largest career opportunity yet—to extend her current tour. The most enticing aspect of the deal was a substantial nine-figure sum for a lengthy residency at a casino in Macau.

This would have mirrored her successful Weekends With Adele performances at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, which began in November 2022 and wrap up on November 23rd this year. By that time, she will have completed 100 shows, reportedly earning around £500,000 per performance. However, sources indicate that the Macau shows would have offered even higher compensation. The English singer behind the hit songs “Rolling In The Deep,” “Someone Like You,” “Set Fire To The Rain,” and “Hello” chose to turn down the lucrative offer in order to spend more time with her family.

“While she turned down the offer to take care of her family and children, could we not continue to promote something like this to make it a long-term operation?” Sam asked, suggesting that high-profile residency shows could serve as effective attractions for Macau.

The push for more residency shows aligns with a broader strategy to diversify Macau’s economy away from its heavy reliance on gaming. Sam noted that his administration would “take a serious look” at the non-gaming investments made by casino operators, which are mandated by law. This move aims to encourage operators to expand their offerings and engage in activities that draw in a wider range of visitors.

In addition to promoting residency shows, Sam also called for an overhaul of Macau’s economic strategy. “In the past five years since the Greater Bay Area was launched, we have not felt our advantages,” he remarked. He highlighted the need for Macau to improve its competitiveness, especially in the face of strong regional rivals such as Shenzhen, known for its technological innovations, Guangzhou’s extensive capabilities, and Hong Kong’s status as a global financial center.

Sam’s comments reflect a growing concern about Macau’s position within the Greater Bay Area (GBA). He argued that while other cities have leveraged their strengths, Macau has not fully utilized its unique advantages. “Our unique advantages have not yet been fully utilized,” he said, emphasizing the need for targeted strategies to address the city’s shortcomings.

Moreover, Sam pointed out that Macau has not effectively capitalized on its long historical connection to Portugal. He believes that there is significant potential for Macau to enhance its international relations and cultural exchanges through this heritage. Additionally, he stressed the importance of integrating Macau within the GBA by standardizing professional regulations and mutually recognizing professional qualifications across different jurisdictions.

As the election for Chief Executive approaches on October 13, Sam Hou Fai is seen as the likely victor. Should he win, he will succeed the current Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, taking office on December 20. His campaign focuses on revitalizing Macau’s economy and transforming it into a more diverse and resilient hub for both tourists and residents.

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