There are many similarities between Macau and Las Vegas, not only being leading gambling capitals of the world but a location for entertainment and conventions bringing people together. Macau, after a period of great development has transformed itself into one of the most popular business travel destinations in Asia.
Did you know that the first casino in Macau, ‘Casino Estoril’, opened in 1962, after the new casino concessionaire was founded as Socieclade de Torismo e Diverse de Macau? Gambling in Macau has been legal since the 1850s when the Portuguese government legalised the activity in the autonomous colony. Since then, Macau has become known as the ‘Gambling capital of the world’ and gambling tourism is Macau’s largest source of revenue making up about 50% of the economy. With the entry of large foreign casinos from Las Vegas and Australia, Macau overtook the Las Vegas Strip in gambling revenues in 2007 making it the pre-eminent gambling capital of the world.
Now onto TAG’s involvement with Macau. As slots for aircraft movements in Hong Kong became increasingly challenging, TAG Aviation saw an opportunity to open an FBO in Macau in 2019. The FBO offers easy access into Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB), a 55-kilometre (34 miles) bridge-tunnel system which is the longest open-sea fixed link in the world, which opened at the end of 2018. The bridge made traveling between Macau and cities in the Greater Bay Area such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai much more accessible.
This state-of-the-art FBO offers Private Jet Travellers the ease to arrive into Macau to then be transported into central Hong Kong within the hour or even quicker via helicopter or visa-versa from Hong Kong into Macau. The FBO also offers a perfect gateway to Southeast Asia such as Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Also, if the final destination is Macau, all that Macau offers, lies literally minutes away from the FBO.
It was vital for the FBO to channel and represent everything which TAG stands for from Technique d’avant Garde to its established ‘know-how’ of business aviation into one building and one team!
They have managed this perfectly by providing a spectacular FBO which offers very stylish and comfortable surroundings with a warm friendly service from a highly trained team offering the ‘TAG Touch’. Often verified by visitors when they mention that they entered the FBO as a client and left as a friend.
The secret to a good FBO is to be responsive, organised and anticipate the passengers, crews and aircraft requirements which TAG Macau FBO delivers every hour, every day resulting in consistency which is never taken for granted by a very enthusiastic team.
The ease and accessibility of all the services within the FBO is outstanding from the main lounge down to the private lounges, offering even more privacy for any discerning passenger to the onsite customs and immigration. This all creates a seamless environment and journey within what could be described as a private members club.
Service Excellence plays a large part in the daily functions within the FBO as well as the facilities, even the crew are well looked after with a snooze room, relaxing lounge area, showers and a kitchen.
It’s not only the passengers and crew who are looked after, the FBO offers all the services and facilities for the actual aircraft from an experienced team of ground handlers offering Jet A1 Fuel, Push Back services, Passenger Steps and Conveyor Belts, Toilet and Water services, GPU and Air Start Units.
TAG is also able to offer hangarage in Macau which is a great alternative and more cost-effective than parking or keeping an aircraft in Hong Kong. TAG Maintenance are also on hand, this international team have the reputation of being the best aircraft cleaners in the region so the aircraft will always be looking its best!
Being part of the TAG Aviation family serves the FBO well. Established over 50 years ago, TAG Aviation is a leader within the business aviation arena and the FBO in Macau aspires to do the same. TAG Aviation goes above and beyond to deliver an unparalleled business aviation service both in the sky and on the ground. As an experienced aircraft management company with bases in Asia and Europe, every detail is handled with Swiss precision for efficiency and safety. They attend to every need with a highly personal touch in an honest and open way.
TAG Macau FBO, really do feel established in the Macau scene and have built great relationships all around. Only this Summer, TAG Aviation and the FBO were sponsors of the Culinary Masters Event presented by MGM and Robb Report Hong Kong.
The deluxe four-day dining extravaganza, featuring a stellar line-up of world-renowned celebrity chefs, along with MGM award-winning chefs and local Macanese chefs, joined hands to transform the culture diversity into culinary bliss by honouring Macau’s roots whilst embracing global culinary vision.
Much like the TAG Macau FBO, Macau has a uniqueness, it is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. It was leased to Portugal in 1557 as a trading post for stopovers on the route to Japan or as part of the Silk Route. Portugal paid an annual rent and administered the territory under Chinese sovereignty until 1887. Portugal later gained perpetual colonial rights and it remained under Portuguese rule until 1999 when it was transferred to China. The unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese architecture in the city’s historic centre led to its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005.
Macau is the first European enclave in Asia with its colonial history and is the longest-lasting and finest example of interchange between Chinese and Western civilizations. Macau is currently attracting a lot of events and concerts as the hotels and casinos on offer, make it the perfect location for both the leisure and business traveller. With this in mind, TAG Macau FBO look forward to welcoming all business aviation visitors into Macau to elevate their FBO experience to a different level.