Sensational Flyer Soars above Singapore Skyline

The Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest Giant Observation Wheel, was officially inaugurated earlier this week as the island nation’s newest tourism icon in a gala celebration that featured a programme of special events and 3000 invited guests and members of the public.

Set in the dynamic Marina Bay waterfront precinct, the $191 million Singapore Flyer was designed by noted Japanese architect, Dr Kislo Kurokawa to be “Asia’s most visible attraction”.

Built as a giant Ferris Wheel each of 28 capsules air conditioned pod holds 28 people in UV protected comfort as they soar to 165 metres for a panoramic 360° view of the Marina Bay area, the Singapore cityscape and beyond to parts of neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. 

A 30 minute scenic ride costs $23.00.  A private capsule suitable for off peak weekday corporate events and private parties can be booked for $795.  The Singapore Flyer is open daily between 8.30 AM and 10.30 PM.  The Flyer was built over a 210 metre long three-storey mall with numerous food and beverage outlets offering waterfront dining with a view of the Flyer.

Officially opened on April 15, the Singapore Flyer gives visitors a panoramic vista as it soars 165 metres over the Lion City.

Located within walking distance of more than 4000 five-star hotel rooms, the Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre (Suntec Singapore) and the Esplanade – Theatres by the Bay, the Flyer’s accessibility adds to its appeal as a desirable venue for corporate and private functions in addition to being a major tourist attraction in the Lion City.

Among the Flyer’s outdoor MICE options is the Athena Greek Theatre where up to 300 clients can be entertained with fine food, wine and dramatic arts.

The Function Room is the most versatile of the Singapore Flyer’s function rooms.  This indoor venue has a standing capacity of 600 guests and is equipped with state-of-the art audio and visual equipment.  Offering views over Marina Bay, it can be used in conjunction with outdoor areas such as the Athena Greek Theatre or the Rooftop Garden.

The exclusive indoor members-only VIP Lounge is the Flyer’s most intimate venue.  Among its appeals is high-speed broadband Internet access, hors d’oeuvres and a free flow of house pour.  Up to 40 corporate clients and business associates can be seated in the interior lounge with an additional 24 guests seated within the alfresco area. 

Offering spectacular views of the Singapore Flyer and the waterfront, the Car Park Rooftop Garden is located atop the 280 lot car park building beneath the Flyer.  This facility can host corporate events for up to 250 guests.

The Singapore Flyer is anticipated to attract up to 2.5 million visitors in the first year with corporate bookings and ticketing packages expected to contribute over 80 per cent of sales revenue.  Six in 10 of those 2.5 million passengers are anticipated to come from outside Singapore.

Singapore attracted 10.3 million visitors in 2007, an all-time record.  Some 51 per cent of overall arrivals came from just five markets: Indonesia, China, Australia, India and Malaysia.  Australian arrivals topped the 768,000 mark last year.

The Singapore Flyer, the first of three signature developments set to open in the island nation between early 2008 and early 2010, is located opposite The Marina Bay Sandsâ„¢ Integrated Resort, the country’s second mega project. 

Heralded as Southeast Asia’s first luxury integrated resort and on track to be launched in late 2009, the $3.8 billion resort being built on 21 ha. will 98,000 sq. m state-of-the-art convention and exhibition facilities, a luxury hotel, an ArtScience Museum, gaming, entertainment and an unparalleled spread of shopping and dining outlets in one landmark structure.

“Designed by the visionary American architect, Moshe Safdie, 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 are more than 120,000 sq. m of MICE facilities.  The flexible convention and exhibition space will be capable of accommodating approximately 2,000 exhibition booths, 200 meeting rooms and over 45,000 delegates. 

A 8000 sq. m grand ballroom with seating capacity for at least 6600 persons for a banquet, 7000 persons for a stage performance or up to 11,000 persons for an auditorium-style lecture is also being built.

Set to open next year, the three 50 storey hotel towers of the Marina Bay Sands project are a part of Southeast Asia’s first luxury integrated resort.

The Marina Bay Sands Shoppes™ will feature innovative retailing and entertainment features including boat rides through the canal that will flow through the mall and an indoor ice skating rink, trendy food and beverage outlets, celebrity chef restaurants and dining options at the waterfront or in two ‘floating’ crystal pavilions on the Marina Bay.

Two fully equipped state of the art theatres with a total of some 4000 seat will showcase Broadway musicals, Bollywood extravaganzas, live concerts and gala events.

The iconic ArtScience Museum will advance the exploration of the arts and the sciences and the connections between them through a series of blockbuster exhibitions from around the world.  It will feature numerous galleries, a restaurant and rooftop seating from which to view events on the bay.

Three soaring hotel towers will house over 2600 luxury rooms and suites.  Capping the towers will be a unique one ha. rooftop Sky Park offering 360 views of the Singapore skyline.

This tropical oasis in the sky will feature lush greenery, beautifully sculptured gardens, restaurants and other facilities like a spa and a swimming pool.

The outdoor Event Piazza along the promenade will be suitable for major events and activities with a capacity for 10,000 guests.

The Marina Bay Sands will also house 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.

The integrated resort is expected to generate an additional $2.1 billion to Singapore’s annual Gross Domestic Product and create 30,000 additional jobs throughout the economy by 2015.

The Marina Bay Sands project is expected to become a globally-renowned tourist attraction and the foremost MICE destination in Southeast Asia supporting Singapore’s goal of attracting 17 million tourists by 2015 and substantially expanding the MICE travel sector to contribute at least a third of the nation’s total tourism receipts.

Meanwhile Sentosa Island is gearing up to open Singapore’s second integrated resort.  The nation’s third mega project will feature nine major attractions and the island’s second casino set over a finely landscaped 49 ha. expanse. 

Planned for a soft opening in early 2010 opening, Resorts World at Sentosa is a $4.7 billion project with equity coming from Genting International and Star Cruises.

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.

Offering 22 attractions, Resorts World at Sentosa will also be home to Universal Studios Singapore.

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.  One of these new hotels, the ESPA is truly 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.

Singapore’s first and only Hard Rock Hotel will also debut at the island casino resort.  This hotel will offer 360 rooms including nine suites and 351 rooms and also house modern conference facilities, more than 20 meeting rooms and one of Asia’s largest column-free ballrooms seating 7,300 delegates.

A 1,600-seat theatre will feature a magical dreamlike extravaganza with water, light and visual effects.    

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, said Mr Loy.  

By Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel & Lifestyle Editor