CEO calls for enhanced cultural exchanges to boost China-US ties

Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and president of MGM Resorts International, said he has confidence in the Chinese hotel industry and economy, as the group's remarkable expansion in the Chinese market has reflected a significant leap forward with high-quality developments in key regions.

In an exclusive interview with China Daily, he stressed that MGM will continue to expand its business in China, and will unveil strategic initiatives and cultural engagements in the country.

Hornbuckle was part of a US business delegation that attended a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, discussing ways to strengthen US-China relations through increased bilateral travel and tourism.

"MGM Resorts has been proud of our role in supporting US-China relations," he stated.

Hornbuckle expressed his excitement about revisiting China post-COVID, highlighting the significant progress in MGM's projects in key cities like Qingdao, Shandong province; Shanghai and Shenzhen, Guangdong province. "Our expansion in the Chinese market has been remarkable, reflecting a significant leap forward with high-quality developments in key regions," he said.

MGM Resorts operates multiple brands in China, with over 10 hotels either about to open or under construction. The company's development and operations include six hotel brands and a total of 20 projects.

Hornbuckle noted that during his visits, he has witnessed the recovery and emerging trends in China's cultural and tourism sectors, which he believes inspire innovation and opportunity.

He also highlighted the successful cultivation of a unique artistic and entertaining identity by MGM's hotels in China, which has played a significant role in differentiating the brand in the Asian market.

In Shenzhen, Hornbuckle supported the second annual event of "M Culture", a cultural promotion program launched by MGM in 2023 to facilitate non-governmental exchanges and friendship between China and the United States.

MGM's "M Culture" program, which integrates global and local cultural elements into its properties, has been well-received by various stakeholders, including government departments, hotel partners and the public, he said.

Hornbuckle emphasized the importance of art and culture in MGM's strategy, aiming to inspire and engage with the cultural fabric of each community.

MGM Resorts, having one of the largest corporate fine art collections in the US, plans to bring selected works from its US collection to China for upcoming M Culture events. Additionally, the company opened the Poly MGM Museum in MGM Macao, the first museum in Macao built to meet Chinese national standards for the exhibition of first-class cultural relics, serving as a platform for Sino-foreign cultural exchange.

Hornbuckle expressed confidence in the Chinese hotel industry and economy, stating that MGM will continue to expand its business in China.

Observing significant changes in China's cultural tourism industry, Hornbuckle noted the importance of cultural influence and the need for hotels to provide better on-property cultural experiences, adding that MGM aims to blend luxury with China's unique cultural charm, offering unmatched opportunities for both foreign and local guests.

MGM's development in China has been accelerating, with a focus on regional advantages and development prospects in first-tier and emerging first-tier cities, he said.

The company plans to enhance the interactive support between MGM hotels in the Chinese mainland and Macao, adding new experiences to the "One-hour living circle" in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Please contact the writer at hanjingyan@chinadaily.com.cn