THE glory days of Macau – the former Portuguese colony widely known as the “Las Vegas of Asia” – appear to be back, now that the worst of the pandemic is firmly in the rear-view mirror.

Crowds have returned in droves, especially after China’s reopening in January. Gaming tables and slot machines have roared back to life, convention halls are booked out, global music acts are playing to full houses, and hotels and celebrity chef restaurants are bustling with activity.

In late May, the Chinese special administrative region celebrated the latest addition to its glittering Cotai Strip. The Londoner Macao – a US$2 billion integrated resort (IR) by Las Vegas Sands (LVS) and its majority-owned subsidiary Sands China – held its grand opening, with international celebrities such as football icon David Beckham and jazz-pop singer Jamie Cullum in attendance.