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Melco China Resorts Announces Launch of China's First World-Class Ski and Leisure Resorts

Melco International Development Limited
2008-04-30 19:37 1326

Melco China Resorts owns largest ski portfolio in China, creating exceptional destination resorts and luxurious homes

BEIJING, April 30 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Melco China Resorts (“MCR”), an associate of Melco International Development Limited (“Melco”) (HKSE: 0200) today topped out two hotels at the Yabuli Sun Mountain resort and broke ground for its first luxurious mountain home project which will be available for sale later this year in Heilongjiang Province. The luxurious mountain homes are designed by internationally acclaimed architects and were introduced to a limited number of potential buyers today.

“We are delighted to announce the strategic expansion of our business with MCR to develop, operate and manage world class mountain resorts in China,”said Lawrence Ho, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco, who officiated the event and was accompanied by senior Heilongjiang Province government officials. “Our move into the burgeoning mountain resort business in China enables our expansion in the mainland and provides an exceptional range of new experiences to address the growing need for up-market recreational activities among the country’s fast growing middle and upper classes. This is consistent with our desire to attract and retain a discerning customer base that is actively seeking and willing to pay for a great leisure experience”.

According to the China Ski Association, the total number of ski visits in China increased at a CAGR of 109% to over 4 million between 1999 and 2004. The number is expected to increase to 10 million by 2010. Capturing this tremendous opportunity, MCR, the largest ski operator in China, is transforming five existing ski areas in the north eastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin into unique, year-round luxury mountain resorts. The company has plans to secure additional areas and develop further resorts in the coming years.

Boasting the highest international standards, including an abundance of international standard on-mountain and resort activities for both accomplished skiers and beginners, and unique “four seasons” facilities and attractions, the result will be China’s premier network of year-round village centered, destination mountain resorts.

“Our commitment is to introduce standards that did not previously exist in China’s ski industry,” commented Graham Kwan, CEO of MCR. “Our portfolio of integrated resorts and luxurious resort homes represents a status and lifestyle pinnacle that was not available in Northern China until now.”

“Buyers of our homes will have access to a lifestyle that allows them to escape the crowded, hectic urban city centers where they live and work. They can relax and indulge themselves amidst pristine, natural mountain scenery. We are feeding a growing demand for superior lodging and service excellence that snow sports and other outdoor sports enthusiasts seek”, said Kwan.

Sun Mountain Yabuli resort is the core focus of MCR's immediate development plan with three premium hotels, including a luxurious 24 all-suite boutique mountain top hotel. Located approximately two hours south east of the city of Harbin, Yabuli is China's most recognized destination ski resort and will host the World Winter University Games in early 2009.

MCR will also upgrade the Sky Mountain Beidahu and Star Mountain Beijing resorts, with minor works starting immediately and much larger development planned for the coming years. Meanwhile, work on MCR's Adventure Mountain Changchun resort and development of the members-only Lotus Mountain Club will be well underway by 2009.

MCR’s World Class Mountain Resorts in China

State-of-the-art equipment

Significant investment has been made in the purchase of state-of-the-art which adheres to international safety standards and introduces services and amenities that have never been seen before in China, including sophisticated snowmaking and grooming technology which will guarantee snow throughout the winter season, eight-passenger heated gondolas imported from Europe, and six-passenger high-speed chair lifts.

Luxurious resort homes

In addition to full service hotels and other facilities, MCR is developing for sale an unprecedented selection of luxurious resort homes and suites designed by internationally acclaimed architects.

Situated on prime, ski-in and ski-out slope-side sites, the homes take full advantage of the stunning natural surroundings and offer easy access to ski trails and other outdoor activities. They have been designed to capture the best views, take advantage of maximum natural light, and are fully furnished using premium materials and elegant finishes.

Year-round attractions

In addition to world-class skiing facilities and China's first ski academy, which is being developed in close collaboration with the China Ski Association, MCR will introduce a complete suite of events, activities and attractions throughout the year. They range from tennis, zip lining, boating and water sports, equestrian, biking, luxury camping, performance driving schools, culinary arts to wine programs and live entertainment.

About Melco International Development Limited

Melco International Development Limited (“Melco”) is one of the companies with the longest history in Hong Kong. Founded in 1910, Melco was among the first one hundred companies established in the city and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1927. Today, under the leadership of its Chairman & CEO, Lawrence Ho, Melco is now a dynamic New Generation Asian Conglomerate that leads in the leisure and entertainment industry in Asia. Its promising performance and distinctive leadership in the industry are also well recognized worldwide. Melco International Development Limited is a constituent of the MSCI Hong Kong Index, part of the MSCI Standard Index Series. It was granted the Asia’s Best Managed Companies 2007 Award issued by FinanceAsia. For more information, please visit www.melco-group.com .

About Melco China Resorts

Melco China Resorts (MCR) is China's single largest ski resort developer and operator with five premier destination resort properties. The portfolio includes Sun Mountain Yabuli, host for the 2009 World University Games; Sky Mountain Beidahu, host of the 2007 Asian Winter Games; The Lotus Mountain Club, to be developed as an ultra-exclusive and private mountain resort club; Adventure Mountain Changchun, an experiential mountain adventure centre retreat; and Star Mountain Beijing, MCR's first ski area in the major Beijing market and home to MCR’s ski school headquarters, The Perfect Turn. MCR is committed to developing the five properties and transforming them into world-class, four seasons luxury mountain resorts with excellent real estate investment opportunities for discerning buyers.

MCR's leadership team boasts a proven record of resort development success both internationally and in China. Several of its directors held key positions at the world's leading resort and hospitality company, Intrawest - the developer behind Whistler Blackcomb and Mont Tremblant in Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Susan Field / Sarah Woodhouse

Impact Asia Ltd, Hong Kong

Tel: +852-2521-1498

Fax: +852-2804-6786

Email: susan@impactasia.com / sarah@impactasia.com

http://www.impactasia.com

Melco International Development Limited

Maggie Ma

Tel: +852-3151-3767

Fax: +852-3162-3579

Email: maggiema@melco-group.com

Source: Melco International Development Limited
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