City of Dreams Mediterranean in Cyprus Grand Opening Today, Protests Tomorrow

Cyprus Mediterranean City of Dreams ceremony opens today, protests to be held tomorrow

The much-anticipated but slightly delayed City of Dreams in the Mediterranean (CoDM) casino resort in Limassol, Cyprus, has finally opened. Melco Crown Entertainment previously announced that its main casino project will finally open on July 10. Despite some negative publicity, it's now ready for the big day.

Melco Crown expects the project to redefine the entertainment scene in Cyprus and attract tourists from around the world. The property is also expected to become a major cornerstone of the European gaming industry, becoming the largest integrated resort in the region.

As Melco Crown prepares to wrap up its ambitious project, it is also facing some negative feedback. Local unions hope to use the attention generated by the opening to fight for better working conditions for CoDM employees.

Mixed feelings

CoDM is situated on over 14.8 acres and offers countless amenities. The centerpiece of the resort is the 80,000-square-foot casino, which features a variety of slot machines (750, according to local media) and table games (75), catering to both casual and experienced players.

Outside the casino, guests can explore a variety of dining options, from upscale restaurants serving gourmet cuisine to trendy cafes serving tempting snacks and drinks. The resort also houses luxury retail stores, allowing shoppers to immerse themselves in a world of high-end fashion and exclusive brands.

In addition to its stunning facilities, CoDM is committed to sustainable practices. The resort implements environmentally friendly initiatives such as energy-saving systems, waste management plans and green building practices. Melco Resorts' goal is to minimize the resort's environmental impact while providing guests with a luxurious experience.

The resort is expected to significantly boost tourism and the local economy, create jobs and position Cyprus as a premier tourist destination. When everything is completed and the resort is running smoothly, it will reportedly provide employment opportunities for 3,500 people.

Protest disrupts start of game

Two unions representing some of the 3,500 potential workers are unhappy with the way Melco treats them. The Pan-Cyprus Trade Union Confederation and the Cyprus Democratic Trade Union Confederation (Greek abbreviations: PEO and DEOK respectively) want to express their dissatisfaction.

The two unions, which already represent hundreds of CoDM employees, announced last week that they would hold public protests on July 11, the Cyprus Mail reported. They chose to do it the day after the grand opening because it coincided with the resort's planned media campaign.

At the heart of their complaint is an allegation that Melco Crown was obstructing union organizing efforts. PEO and DEOK claim Melco denied them access to the property, which they say violates local labor laws.

The CEO and DEOK want to raise their stakes amid a deadlock between the union and Melco after several failed meetings. Melco Crown had planned Tuesday as a media day at the hotel, with the union using the opportunity to drum up support for their plight.

This situation can arise if the parties have not reached an agreement beforehand. The ongoing discussions have been discussed by Cypriot Labor Minister Yiannis Panayiotou, who met with union representatives on Friday. Although they seemed "happy" with the intervention, there was still no permanent solution.

CoDM is well received

As Melco Resorts attempts to resolve its employment woes, it has a new accolade to brag about. Even before the resort opened, CoDM already won three awards.

Melco announced in a press release last week that the hotel won awards in three categories at the 2023 European Property Awards, including Best Hotel Architecture in Europe, Best Sustainable Commercial Development in Europe and Best New Hotel Architecture and Design in Cyprus prize.