Hoi An South Development Ltd has appointed Steve Wolstenholme (pictured in a file photo) as group chief operating officer (COO) for its Hoiana project, a US$4-billion casino resort located 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) south of Da Nang in central Vietnam.
“We are delighted to welcome such an experienced executive to our team, and with his strong background in pre-opening large scale projects Steve will play a critical role in our success,” Richard Lam, chief executive of Hoi An South Development, said in a prepared statement included in a press release issued on Thursday.
“Steve is a proven leader with an extensive knowledge of gaming and hospitality across many markets,” Mr Lam added.
Mr Wolstenholme is a veteran international gaming executive. He served as COO, president and managing director for Okada Manila, in the Philippines, and as COO for Galaxy Macau, a property operated by Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd, according to Thursday’s press release.
The first stage of the Hoiana project – comprising three hotels, a casino, food and beverage outlets and a golf course – is due to open in 2019.
The project is a venture between entities linked to Macau junket investor Suncity Group, Vietnam-based asset management firm VinaCapital Group, and a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd. According to brokerage Union Gaming Securities Asia Ltd, Hoiana could potentially generate “Macau flagship levels” of VIP gaming volume.
