Universal Studios Sentosa “no threat to Disneylandâ€
SINGAPORE – Special effects allowed Hollywood producer and director Steven Spielberg to champion the profile of upcoming Universal Studios Singapore.
Spielberg helped create the theme park – part of the bigger integrated Resorts World – which, its backers claim, will not compete with Hong Kong Disneyland.
With 24 rides and attractions, the US$4.4 billion resort, developed on Sentosa Island, will open in the first quarter of next year and it expects to attract 13 million visitors within its first 12 months.
In a five-minute video clip beamed to a Hong Kong audience, Spielberg said. "Universal gives the people an opportunity to ride the movies."
Universal Studios Singapore will have attractions based on movies such as Jurassic Park, Madagascar, Shrek and Waterworld.
"I am particularly excited about the DreamWorks Animated theme lands of Far, Far Away and Madagascar," Spielberg said.
Visitors "will be put inside, making them the superstars. These memories can last a lifetime”.
Edward Koh Boon Wee, regional director for Greater China of the Singapore Tourism Board, said Hong Kong is an important market for Singapore.
More than 300,000 Hongkongers visit Singapore each year.
"They like to go to Singapore for food, shopping and buying our local products. I hope the integrated resorts will give them more entertainment options to stay another day, another night on the island," Koh said.
Universal Studios Singapore will target Asia as its key market.
Koh told the Hong Kong Standard that he did not think Universal Studios would compete directly with Disneyland because they were "very different propositions".
Ian Jarrett
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