Macau casino operator Sands China Ltd. recently announced what it describes as an 'exclusive partnership' with a major non-gaming resort on neighbouring Hengqin Island in Mainland China, to offer two-centre holiday packages.

The arrangement with Hengqin Chimelong International Ocean Resort - a few minutes drive from Sands China's Cotai Strip properties via the Lotus Bridge Immigration checkpoint - is being marketed by Sands China as the 'Macao Hengqin Experience Package'.

Two versions of the package will each provide one night's accommodation in Macau for two people and one night in Hengqin Chimelong Bay Hotel. Every package will also include an admission ticket for two people to the Ocean Kingdom theme park at Hengqin Chimelong International Ocean Resort. As well as a waterpark, Chimelong offers a permanent circus and a wild animal theme park, all three of which are the largest in the world

Sands China said it was the first time it is collaborating with a resort in another city. The co-operation comes against a market-wide background of a desire by the local and central governments to boost Macau's non-gaming tourism. Analysts have previously indicated that while price differentials between accommodation in Macau and Hengqin are smaller than they had first anticipated, they expected Hengqin Chimelong to appeal more to families and to non-gamblers.

The tie-up, effective 2^nd March, means either Sands China's The Venetian Macao or its Holiday Inn Macao property will provide the Macau leg of the accommodation; depending on the customers' choice of package.

On 20^th November, the Macau Government announced that the Lotus Bridge checkpoint was to start round-the-clock operation from 18^th December, 2014.