from Hotelier Indonesia Magazine
April 2015
An interview with Shaun McCamley, President at The Grand
In our global travels .. we run across our fair share of gems .. outstanding properties that provide a wonderful mix of leisure, sport, relaxation, food & beverage. A place that lets a guest escape into a whole new world. The Grand Ho Tram Strip, is such a gem, providing a perfect seaside escape in southern Vietnam . We have been fortunate to catch up with Shaun McCamley the President of The Grand Ho Tram Strip in a recent stop.
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| Hotelier Indonesia Magazine April 2015 |
[HI] The Grand Ho Tram Strip is located on a pristine coastline in southern Vietnam. I found it to be a perfect place for a weekend getaway or an extended holiday. What are the leading features drawing both local guests and inbound tourists to The Grand?
[SM] Thank you, we are extremely proud of what we have been able to build here in Ho Tram, and it is proving to be more and more popular with guests from around the nation and around the world with each passing week.
Broadly our customers break into three groups - international travelers seeking a world class prized gaming facility which differs from the other options in the region. These guests frequently come for the casino on their first visit, but we find them returning when they see the broad variety of amenities we have on offer - from our restaurants, bars and spa, one of Asia's best golf courses, and, as you pointed out, the stunning beach which we occupy. No other integrated resort in Asia offers that kind of experience - we are Asia's only seaside integrated resort.
Secondly, local travelers. We have rapidly established ourselves as Vietnam's top getaway. We are packed to the rafters every weekend with local travelers, who again flock to Ho Tram for our beach, for the golf course, and for the amazing F&B offering which we have here. We have also built a reputation as one of the party capitals of the nation, regularly hosting events, banquets and functions that draw people from all over the country to our property.
Finally, our MICE offering is filling us through the week with corporate events and so on. There is a lot happening at Ho Tram, and The Grand and The Bluffs continue to gain momentum toward becoming one of the top tourism destinations in the region.
Broadly our customers break into three groups - international travelers seeking a world class prized gaming facility which differs from the other options in the region. These guests frequently come for the casino on their first visit, but we find them returning when they see the broad variety of amenities we have on offer - from our restaurants, bars and spa, one of Asia's best golf courses, and, as you pointed out, the stunning beach which we occupy. No other integrated resort in Asia offers that kind of experience - we are Asia's only seaside integrated resort.
Secondly, local travelers. We have rapidly established ourselves as Vietnam's top getaway. We are packed to the rafters every weekend with local travelers, who again flock to Ho Tram for our beach, for the golf course, and for the amazing F&B offering which we have here. We have also built a reputation as one of the party capitals of the nation, regularly hosting events, banquets and functions that draw people from all over the country to our property.
Finally, our MICE offering is filling us through the week with corporate events and so on. There is a lot happening at Ho Tram, and The Grand and The Bluffs continue to gain momentum toward becoming one of the top tourism destinations in the region.
[HI] What is the current mix of local visitors to inbound foreign tourists, and is there a difference in their preferred activities onsite?
[SM] We don't publicise detailed breakdowns of our visitor numbers, however their activities on site is a matter we are happy to discuss. Noting that Vietnamese law prohibits local citizens from entering the prized gaming areas of our site, our local guests tend to come to us to take in the stunning vistas of Vietnam's East Sea, for our amazing pool, and for the second to none dining options that we offer. Golf is in a period of huge growth here as well, so we are seeing increasing numbers of local visitors taking on The Bluffs while they are with us. International visitors do not miss the opportunity to try their luck in the casino. Our casino guests range from those visiting with international tour operators who travel primarily to visit the gaming areas as part of groups. Other guests come for the restaurants, beach and other amenities and swing by the casino to chance their hand while they are over. Golf once again is a huge piece of the puzzle here, as for guests from countries such as Korea and Japan, it can be a primary draw.
[HI] With the nearest international airport in Ho Chi Minh City, arriving guests would need to take a two-hour shuttle to The Grand. I personally found the shuttle to be comfortable, with wifi provided. Has this length of transfer had an impact on customer perceptions?
[HI] With the nearest international airport in Ho Chi Minh City, arriving guests would need to take a two-hour shuttle to The Grand. I personally found the shuttle to be comfortable, with wifi provided. Has this length of transfer had an impact on customer perceptions?
[SM] One of the biggest misconceptions that we have had to contend with was this perception that we were 'far'. This dates back to early site visitations, before the opening of the new highway connecting Ho Chi Minh City to its neighboring provinces. However early in 2014 the new road opened, and then after a testing period, the speed limit was increased on that highway, meaning that travel times are now under two hours from central Ho Chi Minh City. The next major leap forward in that travel time will be the opening of the Long Thanh Airport - less than an hour from our site - meaning that the Ho Tram Strip is always getting closer to our guests.
[HI] What is your position, and how long have you been with The Grand?
[SM] I am the President of The Grand Ho Tram Strip. I have been in this role for about six months now after relocating from Macau where I had founded a consulting business in the gaming industry. I have spent over three decades in the gaming business, commencing my career as a croupier in London.
[HI] Describe your typical day at The Grand, what your day entails.
[HI] Describe your typical day at The Grand, what your day entails.
[SM] I am here to lead the property in the next phase of its development, which focuses on continually growing the gaming side of the business. My day is taken up working with our great team giving direction where needed and overseeing the many departments who make up and contribute toward ensuring our guests have a great and memorable visit.
[HI] The Grand is Vietnam's largest integrated casino resort. Are there restrictions on entry to the casino, or is it open to all?
[SM] As it stands, Vietnam does not allow local citizens to enter the prized gaming areas. At present a decree is being prepared that may make amendments to this requirement.
[HI] Both table games and slot machines are available to visitors. What are the leading games provided at The Grand Casino?
[HI] Both table games and slot machines are available to visitors. What are the leading games provided at The Grand Casino?
[SM] Baccarat continues to be our most popular table game, with Black Jack, Hold Em Poker and American Roulette growing in popularity. Our most popular slot games include all the well-known favourites players in the region love to play
[HI] The Bluffs is a newly opened, championship golf course with picturesque views of the resort and sea. What type of reviews and accolades has it been receiving?
[SM] The Bluffs has been widely acclaimed by everyone who has ever laid eyes, walked past and teed off on it. It has been reviewed in glowing terms in golfing publications the world over, and rightly so. It is an absolutely stunning addition to Asia's golf scene, and is being submitted for a wide variety of awards at present.
[HI] In a recent visit, I was fortunate to spend time at The Spa. I was thoroughly impressed with the treatment and the respect given by the staff. Significant attention was certainly given to the design of The Spa, and training of the staff.
[SM] Thank you. We are extremely proud of the services and treatments available at The Spa. Our guests continue to praise it, and we are glad that you too enjoyed the service.
[HI] The Grand's restaurants and Club 9 nightclub are world-class F&B outlets that elevate the guest's unforgettable experience. What dining and lounging highlights would a guest expect to find?
[SM] We have a broad offering at Ho Tram, ranging from contemporary French cuisine, to delectable fresh caught local seafood, to fine dining Chinese. It is an offering that our team are justifiably extremely proud of. One thing that is worth noting is that we have just re-opened Churchill's Cigar Lounge serving signature cocktails in an environment that defines refined.
[HI] Is there anything further you'd like to add on The Grand and the guest experience it offers?
[SM] Keep an eye on us: a lot is coming up. We have a full calendar of events lined up for guests in the next few months, and will be launching our retail offering very soon. There is a lot happening at Ho Tram, and we look forward to inviting guests from around the nation, the region and the world to see what's on offer.
Hotelier Indonesia would like to thank Shauen McCamley for participating in this interview, and providing us extensive details on this exciting new integrated resort on the southern coast of Vietnam.
Hotelier Indonesia would like to thank Shauen McCamley for participating in this interview, and providing us extensive details on this exciting new integrated resort on the southern coast of Vietnam.
