Mega Projects Set to Accelerate World Interest in Singapore

Tourism pundits in Singapore and Assistant CEO Business Travel and MICE and Michelle Thoo Head of Business Tourism at Singapore Tourism’s Sydney office, pictured this week at AIME, are confident that three signature developments either currently under construction or in the final stages of planning will enhance the nation’s position as a leading world destination as they progressively open to the public over the next three years.

The Singapore Flyer, Asia’s first-ever giant observation wheel, is currently under construction on a prime location at Marina Bay.  The iconic attraction is being built over a new three-storey mall with many food and beverage outlets offering waterfront dining.

[Pictured: The Singapore Flyer will give visitors a new vista on the Lion City when it opens next year.]

The 165m tall Singapore Flyer which promises to offer visitors an unprecedented 360 degree panoramic view of burgeoning Marina Bay during each 37 minute rotation is set to open in early 2008.

Up to 35 people will be accommodated in each of the 28 fully air conditioned and UV protected capsules.  The full adult ticket price has been set at S$29.50 with discounts for children and senior citizens.

Six in 10 of the anticipated 2.5 million passengers to ride the Singapore Flyer in the first year are expected to come from outside Singapore.

Charles Wong, a spokesperson for the Adval Brand Group, the exclusive sales, marketing and ticket distribution agent for the Singapore Flyer, said that while it’s nearly a year until the mega attraction is opened travel agents in Singapore as well as overseas have been actively making contact in a bid to include the Flyer in tour packages.

Requests for details about organising corporate events and even incentives are now a regular occurrence, he said.  A capsule can be booked for a private function from S$1000 onwards.

The Singapore Flyer is located opposite the Marina Bay Sands, a mega project being heralded as Southeast Asia’s first luxury integrated resort.

On track to be launched in 2009, the S$5 billion resort will combine a five star hotel and casino, state-of-the-art meeting and convention facilities and a wide array of restaurants and retail outlets to create a mini-city destination with outstanding views of the Singapore skyline.

[Pictured: The trio of 50 storey hotel towers of the Marina Bay Sands will contain 2500 rooms.] 

“Designed by the visionary American architect, Moshe Safdie, the Marina Bay Sands will add buzz and excitement to Singapore, bringing world class experiences in dining, shopping and entertainment to both leisure and business travellers from around the world,” said George Tanasijevich, Vice President, Singapore Development, Marina Bay Sands.

Among the key components of the integrated resort is a 100,000 sq. metre convention and meetings complex able to accommodate up to 50,000 delegates.  It’s been projected that the facility will attract at least 600,000 MICE visitors by 2010!

Three soaring hotel towers offering some 2500 rooms and suites will be capped by a signature rooftop Sky Park on the 50th level.  A jogging track, sculptured garden, dining outlets and an ‘infinity’ pool will be stand-out features of this unique-to-Singapore facility, he said.

A large retail precinct is planned with two boatable canals flowing through the mall, an indoor ice skating rink, waterfront dining and two ‘crystal pavilions’ housing unique nightclubs and lounges.

Two theatres with a capacity of 2000 people each will be built while the multi level ArtScience Museum will showcase world class “blockbuster” exhibits.

At the heart of the Marina Bay Sands is Singapore’s first casino.  This column free multi level facility will also have a fine dining sphere where six celebrity chefs will oversee the operations of exclusive restaurants.

Meanwhile Sentosa Island is gearing up for Singapore’s second integrated resort which will feature nine major attractions and the island’s second casino set over a finely landscaped 49 ha. expanse. 

Planned for opening in early 2010, Resorts World at Sentosa is a S$5.2 billion project with equity coming from Genting International and Star Cruises.

[Pictured: Offering 22 attractions, Resorts World at Sentosa will be home to Universal Studios Singapore.]

This family oriented resort will be home to Universal Studios Singapore, a theme park featuring 22 attractions with at least 16 of them designed especially for Singapore, said Jackson Loy, Assistant Director, Communications, Resorts World at Sentosa.

The Quest Marine Life Park, the world’s largest oceanarium, will house as many as 700,000 aquatic animals while the Equarius Water Park will nestle under the natural canopy of Sentosa’s original forest.

Six new hotels offering more than 1800 rooms will be built with each catering to a specific market niche, said Mr Loy.

ESPA is a unique product, he said, as this six star spa and wellness retreat will offer healing and renewal options including dolphin interaction, seawater therapy and lifestyle coaching.

Meeting facilities will be built to accommodate up to 12,000 delegates with the grand ballroom set to host up to 5500 guests.

The FestiveWalk will offer a number of flagship retail and dining options with roving acts and street performances expected to be additional lures for the 15 million visitors expected in the first year of operations, he added.  

In the meantime, with shopaholic Australians now the number three visitors to Singapore, Orchard Road also being enhanced as THE best shopping street in the wolrd.

Special Singapore and AIME Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel and Lifestyle Editor from Singapore and The Mole at AIME in Melbourne