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Tinia Dynasty welcomes Year of the Dragon
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Posted on Feb 07 2000
Dozens of residents and visitors ushered in the Lunar New Year last Friday in a brief celebration held on the grounds of Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino during which local officials and company executive expressed optimism with the advent of the Year of the Dragon.
Fireworks and traditional blessings and offerings marked the celebration on the eve, while presentation of Lion Dance performed by a group flown in from Hong Kong was held yesterday.
Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja, Senators David M. Cing and Jose M. Dela Cruz as well as other municipal officials attended the event, the second time Dynasty held to welcome the new year in the lunar calendar since its opening in 1998.
Michael Kwan, board chairman of Hong Kong Entertainment Overseas Inc., owner of the hotel and casino, spoke of Dynasty’s role in developing casino and tourism industry on Tinian during the one-hour New Year’s Eve ceremony.
He said the hotel’s revenues have gone up by 42 percent compared to the previous year, a success that he attributed to the assistance provided by the local government and the island community.
“Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino has transformed this once scarcely populated island into a premium tourist spot. Despite the hardships we had gone through as a result of the economic downturn in the Asia Pacific region, coupled with a depressing market pressure, we are able to achieve what we witness today,” Mr. Kwan said in a speech.
Likewise, he urged continuous cooperation between the hotel and the island municipality in developing Tinian’s economy by putting in place infrastructure necessary to entice tourists from neighboring islands and other countries.
“We are now in a new millennium, there are many opportunities ahead of us. Let us develop our capabilities to the utmost for our future,” added Mr. Kwan.
Hundreds of people from the Chinese community ferried to Tinian over the weekend to take part in the celebration, which came after similar event was held to welcome the new millennium last Dec. 31. (BS)
