Resorts World Sentosa Open on 20th January 2010
Have you Bought Genting Shares lately?
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Earning Good Profit?
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Singapore’s first integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa, which located on the island of Sentosa, off the southern coast of Singapore, will start its phased opening from Jan 20, beginning with four hotels.
It took Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong seven years to complete the construction of Genting Highland Resort (GHR) that commenced business on 8th May 1971.
After forty years,the Genting Group only took 3 years to build Resorts World Sentosa!
The four hotels are called Crockfords Tower, Hotel Michael, Festive Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel Singapore – will be opened on that day. There will also be 1,350 rooms and 10 restaurant outlets available on their opening.
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Resorts World Sentosa: Interview with Krist Boo – Vice President
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Resorts World Sentosa began operations at two of its four hotels on Tuesday, and employees and their families were the resort’s main guests before the hotels’ public opening.
About 10,000 employees is hired to manage the operations of the integrated resort (IR)
The opening date for the casino will be announced when Genting Singapore, a unit of Malaysia’s Genting Bhd, receives its casino licence.
Will Resorts World Sentosa turn out to be a Winning Ace that will enable Genting Group to go UP to the Next Level?
Only Time will Tell!
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Universal Studios Singapore sneak peek
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Resorts World Sentosa to open on Jan 20
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One of Singapore’s integrated resorts, Resorts World Sentosa, will begin opening its doors in phases from January 20.
The resort said its four hotels – Crockfords Tower, Hotel Michael, Festive Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel Singapore – will be opened on that day.
Resorts World Sentosa began operations at two of its four hotels on Tuesday, and employees and their families were the resort’s main guests before the hotels’ public opening.
Resorts World Sentosa’s chief executive, Tan Hee Teck, said the phased schedule would allow the resort and its 10,000 employees to run in operations and deliver the expected guest experience.
The integrated resort (IR) said it is working closely with the authorities to obtain approvals for Universal Studios Singapore, which will open next.
As for the casino’s opening date, it will be announced when the IR gets notice of its casino licence.
Together, the four hotels offer a combined inventory of 1,350 rooms and 10 restaurant outlets at their opening.
Another two hotels at the resort – Equarius Hotel and Spa Villas – will add another 500 rooms when they are launched in phase two after this year.
The IR will also open the world’s largest Marine Life Park and its Maritime Experiential Museum in the second phase.
from:channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1028693/1/.html
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The Battlestar Galactica– Human Line
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FEATURE: Worlds of Wonder
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NIGHT VIEW: What the finished resort would look like after fully completed
COME early 2010, the muchanticipated S$6.59 billion (RM16 billion) tropical island attraction, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, will officially open its gates to visitors all set to become one of Asia’s defining
family holiday destinations.
During a sneak preview of its final stages of construction recently, Resorts World Sentosa announced to the Press that 60 to 70 per cent of all its facilities within its 121 acre area would be operational by the first quarter of next year.
With its mammoth operation of casino-hotels, theme park and oceanarium, as well as other food and retail businesses, the resort expects 12 to 13 million visitors in the first year.
FAMILY FUN: Resorts World Sentosa will officially open its gates to visitors — all set to become one of Asia’s defining family holiday destinations
This would create 45,000 jobs directly and indirectly. Leading attraction in the integrated resort will be the first Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia, where 20 rides will be up-and-running during the resort’s soft launch (see accompanying story on Universal Studios Singapore rides).
When fully completed, it would boast 24 movie-themed rides and attractions, out of which 18 are exclusively designed to be premiered in Singapore.
Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg was brought in as creative consultant to help design the park’s seven themed areas, including Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Sci-Fi City, Far Far Away and Madagascar.
Among the most highly anticipated for thrill-seekers and sci-fi fans would the Battlestar Galactica-themed rollercoaster ride the world’s tallest “duelling coaster” featuring two roller coasters set to “battle” each other.
In a Press conference, Universal Studios Singapore assured that the rides would always be refreshing. Universal Parks & Resorts director of sales and marketing, Douglas Trueblood said, “New attractions
would be added every three to five years.”
Resorts World Sentosa assistant director of communications Robin Goh said for the soft launch, four out of the six hotels, including the ultraluxurious Maxims Tower, Michael Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Festive Hotel (Festive Walk), would be open.
“The casino would also be fully operational then. As well as various food and beverage and retail outlets along Festive Walk,” said Goh, adding that another two hotels, including a destination spa would be ready shortly after.
Goh also said the Marine Life Park, Maritime Xperiential Museum and other attractions, including the gigantic robot crane dance would be launched progressively.
Genting Group chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay had said: “Resorts World Sentosa is my vision for a trail-blazing tourism product with universal appeal. Genting and its partners together will fulfill this visionary
collection of ideas that will shift the paradigm of tourism in the region.”
Construction work on the resort started in 2007 after Genting International won the bid to build the resort in
2006.
Genting International is the overseas investment arm of Malaysia’s Genting Group, which operates resorts in different parts of the world.
Pimped-up thrill rides
IMAGINE yourself strapped into an alien spacecraft battling humans in a dogfight in space at break-neck speed; being chased by hungry dinosaurs ready to snap at you as you float along the rapids of a “lost world” forest; or emerging from dark catacombs to find yourself face-to-face with the undead Imhotep and his legion of mummies ready to kill you and your family.
While these are common scenes in blockbusters, get set to immerse yourself in the simulation of such wild adventures when Universal Studios Singapore launches its 24 moviethemed rides and attractions
all designed with the creative aide of filmmaker Steven Spielberg to let you “ride the movies”.
With constructions at their final stages, reporter TEOH EL SEN took a sneak-peek tour and the following is what he thinks would best describe how some of these US$1 billion attractions would look and feel when they are ready.
TREASURE MAP: An artist’s impression of the Universal Studios theme park
AREA: FAR FAR AWAY CASTLE
● DONKEY LIVE
Features Shrek’s fairy tale sidekick in his all-new interactive live show where guests sing along and even talk with an animated Donkey in an intimate theater setting.
● MAGIC POTION SPIN
A miniature ferris wheel for children found inside one of the park’s eateries. It drives a clinking, clanking potion assembly line that circles the room, bottling magical elixirs from a giant wooden vat.
● SHREK 4-D ADVENTURE
Immerses guests who don the OgreVision glasses to see, hear and actually feel the action right from the seat.
● ENCHANTED AIRWAYS
Lets children climb aboard Donkey’s beloved dragon for a slow roller-coaster “flight” overlooking the land of Far Far Away.
AREA: MADAGASCAR
● KING JULIEN’S BEACH- PARTY-GO-ROUND
Be part of King Julien’s party carousel with crazy lemurs and pesky foosas and as you go up and down and round and round in a mary-goround ride.
● MADAGASCAR: A CRATE ADVENTURE
Ride in a large crate and join four heroes — Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria — on a river boat adventure with state-of-the-art animated figures, digital projection, and various effects in a 10 minute ride where you will meet a digital King Julien dancing for you at the end.
AREA: HOLLYWOOD
● PANTAGES HOLLYWOOD THEATRE
This attraction is simply a 1,500-seat indoor theatre fully equipped to host major Broadway musicals where guests can watch the infamous Universal Monsters in “MonstroCity”— a rock-n-roll style revue.
AREA: NEW YORK
● LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! HOSTED BY STEVEN SPIELBERG
An empty soundstage will turn into the setting of a major hurricane about to hit New York City. Visitors can expect to be treated with explosions and winds from various special effects while Spielberg explains the art behind movie-making magic.
● STAGE 28
Unravel secrets of film production as visitors get behind the scenes and see real film production in a fully-outfitted sound stage showcasing some of Universal’s feature films and props.
AREA: ANCIENT EGYPT
BOO: A stock image of one of the monsters guests will meet in Ancient Egypt
● REVENGE OF THE MUMMY
A high-speed psychologica thrill ride through sharp turns and fast reverse as it pits guests against fireballs, scarab beetles and robotic warrior mummies of Imhotep all in total darkness.
● TREASURE HUNTERS
Guests get to drive in a real vintage motor car and venture out on an expedition in sandy ancient Egypt going through an abandoned excavation site.
AREA: THE LOST WORLD
● JURASSIC PARK RAPIDS ADVENTURE
Guests will sit in a nine-passenger circular raft and be tossed on waterways within the Jurassic compound where prehistoric creatures all in full animatronics will attempt to eat them at every turn.
● DINO SOARIN’
A circular children’s ride where children can sit in and pilot pre-historic birds to “soar up” in the sky or “plunge down into the shadows”.
● AMBER ROCK CLIMB
A rock climbing experience with the backdrop of a dinosaur remains excavation site where “a treasure awaits” those who reach the top.
● CANOPY FLYER
Get tucked safely under the wings of a flying Pteranodon for a prehistoric bird’s eye view as the coaster gently glides over the lush foliage and trees of Jurassic Park.
● WATERWORLD
Based on the blockbuster film Waterworld, enjoy the award-winning performance by stuntmen to show various death-defying stunts, explosions and many more in a live water show at a set stadium where guests can expect to get wet.
AREA: SCI-FI CITY
DOGFIGHT RIDE: The Battlestar Galactica
● BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (Human or Cylon)
This looks to be among the most extreme rides at the theme park as the world’s tallest pair of duelling rollercoasters at 42.5 metres tall. Guests can choose either the “Human” side or the alien “Cylon” side to be seated or suspended in their own “spaceship” while going at a top-speed of 95km/h in this 87-second ride on a 1km track.
The ride will propel thrill-seekers on several inversions, a zero-g roll, a Cobra roll, corkscrews, vertical loops and severalnear collisions mere inches apart from the other side.
● ACCELERATOR
A whirling twirling attraction that will test your “inter-gallactica” stamina as you spin madly in a power pod that allows you to control the spinning speed.
● TRANSFORMERS
Only debuting in 2011, little is revealed aboutthis ride but expect to see stunning robotics and “mega special effects”, including 3D High Definition media.
Marine magic
SWIM with dolphins and handfeed fearsome tiger sharks in an enclosed cage! While Universal Studios is already set to be an exciting attraction, the Marine Life Park would certainly not lose out when it is unveiled in progressive stages after next year’s soft launch.
It will be the largest oceanarium in the world with 20 million gallons of water and an extensive collection as many as 700,000 aquatic animals, including bat-rays, sharks, eels in this 8-hectare attraction home.
With a 6.6 million gallon lagoon, visitors can also get up close and personal with whale sharks world’s largest fish through one of the world’s largest panoramic viewing panels.
Also, the Maritime Xperiential Museum (where experiential learning is the process of making meaning from direct experience) will engage museum-goers to the story of the shipping Silt Route in an unconventional, yet familiar, teaching language sight, sound and immersion.
The museum is dedicated to celebrating Asia’s maritime heritage with a 360-degree multimedia theatre where guests board a shipwrecked Arabiabound vessel near Singapore 1,100 years ago.
In that presentation, the boat goes under the deck rolls, pitches, turns and eventually sinks when visitors emerge from the theatre up close with a shipwreck surrounded by deep ocean life.
fr:mmail.com.my/content/17806-feature-worlds-wonder
Celeb chefs to star at Sentosa World restaurants
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The world’s most Michelin-star-decorated chef, Joel Robuchon, leads a team of celebrity chefs who will open restaurants at Resorts World Sentosa.
Robuchon, who has 25 Michelin stars, will make his debut in Singapore in May with three restaurants — Joel Robuchon Fine Dining, a high-end French restaurant, the more casual L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, known for its swanky red and black decor and bar counter dining, and The Pastry Shop and Lounge.
The other Michelin-starred chef to set up shop is Kunio Tokuoka, the chef-owner of three-Michelin-starred restaurant Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama and one-Michelin-starred Hana Kitcho in Kyoto, Japan.
This is the first time chef Kunio is venturing out of Japan. The kaiseki restaurant, called Kunio, is slated to open in April at Resorts World Sentosa’s all-suite hotel, Crockfords Tower. Kaiseki refers to a multi-course dinner where the dishes are made from the freshest seasonal ingredients.
The other two chefs are New York-based Susur Lee, known for starting up Club Chinois in the late 1990s, and Australian chef Scott Webster.
Lee has teamed up with Tung Lok Group to open Asian fusion restaurant Chinois in Hotel Michael, while Webster will be opening Osia, a modern Australian restaurant which used to be located in London’s Haymarket from 2003 to 2005.
Chinois and Osia will open at the end of this month.
Roger Lienhard, Resorts World’s vice-president of food and beverage and rooms, says the chefs were chosen to “balance” the cuisine and culture of the hotels, and to make each of their offerings unique.
On picking Robuchon over other French chefs, he says: “We wanted French cuisine. And in French cuisine, the discipline is very important.
“In the end, we felt that Robuchon was the man who was going to give us the commitment of what we want to do and what we want to strive for.”
All in, Resorts World Sentosa will boast more than 60 food and beverage outlets ranging from outlets offering hawker dishes to cafes to fine dining restaurants.
Last year, Marina Bay Sands announced that no fewer than six celebrity chefs will open restaurants at its resort.
This includes big names such as Wolfgang Puck of Spago restaurant in Beverly Hills, Daniel Boulud of three-Michelin-starred French restaurant Daniel in New York, Santi Santamaria of three-Michelin-starred Can Fabes in Spain, and Mario Batali of Italian restaurants Babbo and Lupa in New York. The resort has postponed its opening till April this year.
Resorts World Sentosa will open on Jan 20, with four hotels — Hotel Michael, Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Crockfords Tower, and 10 food and beverage outlets, which includes Palio, a Tuscan restaurant in Hotel Michael.
The resort, which expects to attract 13 million visitors a year, has not announced the opening of its Universal Studios theme park and casino. — The Straits Times
fr:themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/business/48900-celeb-chefs-to-star-at-sentosa-world-restaurants
Lion King debut at IR? Yawn
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Just days into a brand new year and the urge to look forward into what 2010 has in store is irresistible. On the arts and entertainment front at least, things are looking up.
The first quarter of the year is already jam-packed with attractions, from a glut of gigs from indie groups such as The Yeah Yeah Yeahs to rock trio Green Day this month, to calendar highlights such as the Esplanade’s Huayi and Mosaic festivals in the next two months.
But what should have been one of the most exciting highlights of this year’s arts and entertainment diary is turning out, from early indications, to be rather ho-hum — the programming at the multiple venues at the Integrated Resorts (IRs).
The big attraction to play at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre in September? The 13-year-old Broadway musical show The Lion King. Yawn.
The other IR, Resorts World Sentosa, has been keeping relatively mum about its live entertainment attractions but, quite frankly, I am not holding my breath. After all, both IRs are multi-billion dollar investments for their owners and the latter’s priority is to make money rather than the altruistic ideal of contributing to Singapore’s performing arts scene.
The news that between them, the IRs will boast about 14 new venues with more than 23,000 seats in total, was earth-shaking for performing arts lovers. The last time something this exciting happened on the arts scene was in 2002 when the Esplanade opened. Its then- spanking new 1,600-seat Concert Hall and 2,000-seat Theatre were game changers for the venues scene here, not only because of the state-of-the-art technology these halls offered but also the kind of programming they contained.
By offering better venues and programming adventurously, the Esplanade spurred the number of productions staged here from growing at a sluggish 4 per cent annually to a staggering 20 per cent a year.
If just 3,600 seats in two halls could make such a difference, imagine the multiplier effect from more than 23,000 seats. Especially since the IRs, with their more casual and fun atmosphere, can play host to more varied performing arts events than the Esplanade.
Got a great travel photo? Can it win this photo contest?
The choice of The Lion King, a tried-and-tested, Tony award-winning Broadway musical, is perfectly understandable. It is family-friendly entertainment. But it is just so…dull. And dated.
What also bugs me is the fact that it is the same old programming formula: when in doubt, reach for something expensive from the West.
Why not programme something equally family-friendly, but Asian, for a change? Like, say, The Merchants Of Bollywood. The US$2 million (RM6.8 million) musical, which is coming to Singapore for a limited run at the Esplanade from Jan 12 to 17, is a dance extravaganza which boasts sumptuous costumes and toe-tapping music. This production also has the hip factor since the world is just now catching on the frothy escapist fun of Bollywood.
Want something more dramatic a la Phantom Of The Opera? One can always resurrect the landmark and critically acclaimed 1997 musical Snow.Wolf.Lake, which starred Hong Kong’s Heavenly King Jacky Cheung as a gardener, songbird Sandy Lam as Snow, his love interest, and Singapore’s own Kit Chan as Snow’s sister Phoenix.
Thinking of something less arty and more mainstream? Just look to China and import one of its many acclaimed acrobatic troupes. If the show needs to be more polished a la Cirque du Soleil, given the IRs’ resources it must surely be easy to hire a world-class director, choreographer and backstage crew to posh it up.
I am not just being an Asian chauvinist in championing Asian talent to headline IR acts. Programming Asian stars makes sense, not just culturally and geographically, but also economically.
The cultural argument is a no-brainer. Asia’s cultural heritage is rich and deep, and has spawned a mind-boggling array of pop culture consumables. Vegas has its Bette Midler, Wayne Newton and Criss Angel shows. Singapore could showcase Japan’s Empress of Pop Ayumi Hamasaki, Taiwan’s Prince of R&B Jay Chou and French-Japanese magician Cyril Takayama.
What a coup it would be for the IRs if they could pin down, say Bollywood’s royal family, the Bachchans, or Korea’s Rain, or Malaysia’s Siti Nurhaliza for a year-long concert engagement. Those three acts in one place would be a dream team line-up that would draw concert-goers from around the world.
It is not so crazy to think that such big acts could choose to base themselves here for a lengthy period, given that Singapore is mere hours away from their homelands, and if the contracts were lucrative enough.
Collecting the jewels of Asia’s entertainment scene would make the IRs powerhouse entertainment venues to reckon with since no one else in the world is focusing on this. Such programming would give the IRs here not just a distinct cultural identity, but a unique selling point in the world market.
After all, why would an American fly to Singapore to gamble when he can get the same services, and shows, in Vegas?
In this rapidly shrinking globalised world, culture has become an increasingly valuable commodity as it becomes the local badge of distinction in a homogenous world.
Pop culture, dominated mainly by Western — read American — exports, has also become increasingly bland and McDonaldised. Increasingly, savvy consumers are looking for alternatives. And those producers who can offer the thrill of the new can make a fortune. Look at Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte, who became a billionaire by repackaging circus traditions.
There is plenty of cultural fodder in Asia to spawn such successful franchises. And the IRs are perfect incubating grounds which, if programmed dynamically and adventurously, could redefine cultural exports. For all you know, 10 years down the road Vegas might be looking to Singapore to programme their venues. But this will not happen if the IRs continue to borrow timorously from the West.
fr:themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/showbiz/48877-lion-king-debut-at-ir-yawn-
Singapore park slated to open next week
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Southeast Asia’s first big-name theme park — Universal Studios Singapore — at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) looks set to open its doors next week, just a week after the resort welcomes visitors to its hotels and shops today.
Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman of Genting Group, which owns the S$6.59 billion (RM15.8 billion) resort, said yesterday: “By the end of next week, Universal Studios Singapore will open, and when we officially launch Resorts World Sentosa later this year, it will be another significant and historical milestone achievement for the group.”
He was speaking at the Kuala Lumpur launch of the group’s logo to mark its 45th anniversary.
RWS had previously not been able to confirm the opening date of the theme park, saying only that it would be open by the first quarter. But sources pointed to an opening date of Jan 28 or 29.
When asked about its main attraction yesterday, a RWS spokesman would only say that it was working closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs to get the relevant permits.
The theme park boasts 24 rides and attractions, 20 of which are expected to be ready when it opens, according to a prior announcement. Each ride requires a permit to operate, and a RWS spokesman said they will not be opened to the public until proven to be safe.
The resort is also awaiting a licence to operate its casino.
The casino and theme park are expected to be the sprawling 49ha complex’s main money-spinners, but it boasts other attractions too, including the world’s largest oceanarium, plus dozens of shops and restaurants.
As part of its concept plan, a significant portion of the resort has to also cater to non-gaming areas, with the government setting a maximum approved gaming area of no more than 5 per cent of the resort’s total development area.
The theme park is expected to attract up to 30,000 visitors daily.
A one-day weekday pass will cost S$66 for adults, S$48 for children and S$32 for senior citizens. Weekend, public holiday and eve of public holiday one-day passes will cost S$72, S$52 and S$36 respectively.
But the passes are still cheaper than those of Universal’s other attractions in Orlando and Osaka, which go for US$79 (RM261) and 5,800 yen (RM216) respectively.
fr:themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/business/50155-singapore-park-slated-to-open-next-week
No fixed dates for opening of theme park, casino at Resorts World Sentosa
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No date has been fixed for the opening of the Universal Studios Singapore theme park at Resorts World Sentosa.
Chairman of Resorts World Sentosa Lim Kok Thay made the clarification amid media reports that the theme park is scheduled to open by the end of next week.
Speaking at a news conference after the soft opening of four hotels at the integrated resort on Wednesday, Mr Lim also said it is not known yet when the casino will open as it awaits its operating licence from the authorities.
“After the opening today of Crockfords Tower, the rest of the facilities would follow suit from next week onwards,” said Mr Lim. “Obviously that would include the Festive Walk, the Universal theme park, as well as the casino component.”
Four of the six hotels at the integrated resort were opened to the public at 8.18am, an auspicious time.
They are Crockfords Tower, Hotel Michael, Festive Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel Singapore.
Even though Resorts World Sentosa has managed to open ahead of Marina Bay Sands, Mr Lim said it is not a race.
“(Competition to open first) would be foolish, which means that one may end up cutting corners,” Mr Lim explained. “So, we’ve been single mindedly working on our own project and not having to look over our shoulders because we have a masterplan, we stuck by that and we just delivered on the timing that we promised the government. Although, it turned out to be somewhat earlier than we expected.”
The convention centre at the integrated resort is also now open, and it has already received 33 bookings.
Some 6,400 staff are already on the payroll.
fr:channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1031896/1/.html
Resorts World Sentosa hotels fully booked
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Resorts World Sentosa’s (RWS) four newly opened hotels are booked solid till end of next month, according to the Singapore Business Times (SBT).
The SBT report said the republic’s first integrated resort (IR) revealed on its Facebook fan page last Friday that the four hotels “have reached maximum capacity” until the end of April. In an update post on Saturday, however, it said that it had “managed to free up some rooms” in March and April.
Occupancy rates at RWS’ four hotels soared to over 90% during this past weekend, assistant director for communications Robin Goh was quoted as saying. Both the Festive Hotel and the Hard Rock Hotel Singapore recorded full houses.
SBT said RWS expected to operate at full or near-full capacity during the weekends for the foreseeable future.
“Already, every room during the nine-day period spanning the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday from Feb 13 to 21 has been snapped up by both Singaporeans and overseas guests eager to be among the first in the world to stay at the IR,” the report said.
Collectively, the four hotels – Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Hotel Michael and Crockfords Tower – offer 1,350 rooms and 10 restaurants.
Two other hotels, Equariyus Hotel and Spa Villas, will be launched later this year and add 500 rooms. SBT reported that when the IR’s call centre first opened its hotline on Jan 11, the first three days alone saw some 5,000 room nights booked.
fr:biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/27/business/5552792&sec=business
Resorts World Sentosa expects 13 million visitors for first year
SINGAPORE: Resorts World Sentosa, the Genting Group’s latest and largest family destination in Singapore, expects 13 million visitors in its first year of operations.
The resort, spanning over 49 ha on Sentosa Island, is built at a cost S$6.45bil, and is Genting Group’s most expensive, most exquisite and ambitious project.
Schduled to open soon, Resorts World Sentosa will be home to South East Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park, six luxury hotels, marine life park and a casino, among others.
The Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Crockfords Tower and Hotel Michael opened to the public on Jan 20.
Visitors to Universal Studios alone is expected at 4.5 million per year, said Resorts World Sentosa Pte Ltd assistant director Communi-cations Robin Goh to Malaysian reporters on a familiarisation trip to the resort recently.
The first weekend opening to the public saw the resort commanding more than 90% hotel occupancy, mostly local guests.
Goh said the resort expected more foreign visitors when Universal Studios and the casino open.
“Preparation work is almost done at Universal Studios and the park’s operation team are gearing up for the opening. We have not got the casino licence yet and are working closely with the authorities to obtain all necessary licences.
“The date depends on certain factors as safety is our number one priority,” said Goh.
As for Malaysian visitors, he said: ”The Malaysian market is very important to us. After all, we are a Malaysian group and we want all Malaysians to be part of this (resort).
“We also want Malaysians to come and enjoy all the offerings, including Universal Studios, and be proud because this resort is built by a Malaysian company,” he said.
For the convenience of prospective visitors from Malaysia, the resort has tied up with Malaysian travel agents who can facilitate their trip and offer them better rates.
“They (Malaysian travel agents) have different packages to offer which include transport (by air or bus), hotel accommodation and universal studio tickets. We also have a Malaysian bus programme which brings people from different states in Malaysia straight to Resorts World Sentosa,” he said.
fr:biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/5/business/5616853&sec=business
Singaporeans wrestle with likely impact of two new casinos
Between personal tragedy and recovery from an economic crisis, the pros and cons of big-time gambling are still being weighed.
THE family tragedy of a restaurant manager who killed his two children and set fire to the flat before jumping to his death has become a national talking point.
Some neighbours saw Ng Chee Kiang, 39, behaving oddly on the 12th floor ledge before falling over.
Unknown to anyone, he had just suffocated his two children, aged 5 and 3, after sending the maid out on an errand. The wife was at work.
News reports said the manager of a Japanese food company who earned S$5,000 (RM12,156) monthly owed loan sharks some S$200,000 (RM486,232) as a result of overspending, gambling and share speculation.
Ng was also a bankrupt who was on the verge of divorce and a custody fight over his children.
Coming only two months before the first of two multibillion-dollar casinos opens, the family tragedy has renewed concerns over Singapore’s entry into casinos.
“Casinos have not even opened yet and there are already tragedies due to gambling, imagine the problems in future once they have” was a general comment.
One blogger said, “I think this is just the prelude. When the two casinos open, we will get to read of more such stories.”
Published family photographs with two lovely children stirred much public sympathy, reviving some of the old feelings towards casinos.
However, it is tempered by a marked change in the public mood after the city came through a severe economic crisis that decimated jobs and wages.
The weak employment market with many people still unable to find work has significantly blurred the animosity towards the casinos. They are now relied upon to generate employment.
In the next few months, Singapore’s history will move into a new phase. This will happen when two huge dazzling casino resorts – led by a Malaysian conglomerate – open their doors.
First is Genting’s S$6.6bil (RM16bil) “Resorts World at Sentosa,” which will have the distinction of becoming Singapore’s first casino, edging out Marina Bay Sands, when it opens in January.
The Las Vegas Sands’ $5.2bil (RM12.6bil) project, situated at the financial centre, will follow suit in April.
The opening of casinos, which Lee Kuan Yew once said was possible only “over my dead body,” is timely as Singapore ponders over its future in an uncertain new world.
Almost half the cabinet ministers are reluctant supporters.
The concern is that the economic benefits will come at the expense of morality and a possible rise in bankruptcy, family break-up and suicide.
It is an ironic debate. Singaporeans – the majority being ethnic Chinese – are far from being averse to gambling.
Numbering five million, the people gamble away S$6bil (RM14.6bil) or S$1,200 (RM2,917) per person a year – nearly twice what the country spends on health care.
In addition, Singaporeans spend some S$280mil (RM680.6mil) in Malaysia’s Genting Highlands, and an inestimable amount in other countries and on board cruise ships.
A government survey showed that 54% of residents over the age of 18 have taken part in some form of gambling over the previous 12 months. The ratio of pathological gamblers is however low, being under 1.6%.
The arrival of casino gambling, like most things in Singapore, is based on economic considerations.
A rising number of cities in Asia are moving into it, and Singapore fears losing out.
With few natural resources, the Republic is being reshaped by global changes, particularly in the US, its biggest trade partner.
Some of its catalysts for growth and prosperity are now facing serious pressures, forcing the city to depend on new sources of growth.
It is a tough proposition: Singapore is too small to develop many attractive tourist spots.
“Tourism is a major area because it capitalises on Asia’s rising middle class – and the casinos are a crucial part of it,” said an economist.
Each of the new casinos will employ about 10,000 workers. They are also expected to spin off related businesses that will need 35,000 more workers.
“Our problem is we do not have enough Singaporeans to fill all the jobs and so will have to depend on foreign workers,” said an official.
The two casinos – at a combined cost of S$12bil (RM29.2) – have a franchise to operate for 10 years.
Lee Kuan Yew had – after visiting Las Vegas – said there would be a few more casinos.
That was before the economic crisis, and it is not known if this remains the case. Some analysts are pessimistic about the prospects of the two in the next few years.
Marina Bay Sands has reduced its projected visitors and profits. However, both remain optimistic over their long-term future.
If Macau and Las Vegas are any indication, the clouds have not yet lifted, although the local economy has significantly improved in the past few months. Casinos are likely to have an important economic role in the world, especially in Asia.
Angela Ho, daughter of Macau’s once-casino “king” Stanley Ho, said: “The market is huge, and I think everybody knows that Asian players are the most sought-after … because they spend the most money and are the most fervent gamblers.”
The government has taken steps to minimise the potential social fallout of excessive gambling.
Singaporeans have to pay S$100 (RM243) a day or S$2,000 (RM4,863) a year to be admitted to the casinos.
A list of habitual gamblers has been drawn up – either voluntarily or reported by spouses – and they will be banned from entering the casinos.
But these are merely measures to reduce – not prevent – instances of individual disaster.
fr:thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/14/columnists/insightdownsouth/5109453&sec=Insight Down South
Resorts World Singapore casino to open this week
PETALING JAYA: Genting Singapore PLC, which has been issued a licence for its casino at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), is expected to open its doors this week.
Managing director Justin Tan Wah Joo said in a statement yesterday that RWS, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Genting Singapore, was issued the licence by Singapore’s Casino Regulatory Authority on Feb 6. RWS is one of two casinos which will start operation in Singapore this year.
Genting Singapore saw its shares shed 2 cents on the Straits Times Index to S$1.09. Genting Malaysia’s share fell 6 sen to RM6.72 yesterday. The company suspended its trading in its securities in early trade to formally announce the receipt of the casino licence. However, it did not say when it expects to open the casino in RWS.
News report said the group might open its Universal Studios theme park at RWS on Feb 11 and the casino a day after.
Attempts to contact Genting Singapore, Genting Malaysia and RWS to confirm on its opening were unsuccessful.
RWS opened four of its hotels on Jan 20, and will open other attractions in phases, while Marina Bay sands (MBS) has said it would open in mid-April.
“The opening will allow RWS to capitalise on the Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations, often the most active time for Asian gamblers,” an analyst said, adding that beating MBS would allow RWS to capitalise on the excitement around Singapore’s much anticipated entry into gambling.
Morgan Stanley estimated that the Singapore’s gambling industry could generate between US$3bil and US$3.7bil of revenue in its first year of operation.
ECM Libra Research said it came to understand that RWS would open its doors to casino patrons yesterday. “To open a week before CNY will allow RWS to capture the higher margin mass market CNY volumes.”
“With MBS slated to open between April and June, RWS will take the lion’s share of the Singaporean gaming market which we value at S$4bil. With two to four months lead time, avid Singaporean gamblers will opt to pay the annual levy of S$2,000 rather than pay S$100 per 24 hour visit and commit themselves to gambling at RWS,” it added.
“With these first mover advantages, RWS is able to help contain cannibalisation on sister casino, Resorts World at Genting (RWG), by cross selling before MBS opens. We understand that the purpose of establishing the Simon Chelsea Premium Outlets and potentially hotels and theme parks in Johor is to direct RWS-RWG Malaysian patrons away from MBS,” it said.
TA Securities said rumour had it that tenants have been gearing up for opening by weeks-end, which marked the start of CNY festivities.
“If casino does open by Feb 13, we estimate that the additional 47 days worth of gaming receipts could add about S$209mil of FY10 revenue. Bottom-line would increase by S$63.67mil or 10.5%,” it said.
Analysts said Singapore’s casinos was well-placed to tap gamblers’ interest in Southeast Asia, and could possibly take business from the region.
According to Nomura Equity Research, investors would be watching if the competition from the two new casinos in Singapore prove less severe than what was currently anticipated by the street.
It added that investors would be assessing the impact of the two new casinos closely over the next 12 months on Genting Malaysia’s business.
“To reflect the potential threat from the two casinos in Singapore, we have factored in a 30% drop in high-roller business, 20% drop in VIP business, and a 10% fall in the mass-market contribution for FY10f.
“The fall in mass-market contribution is likely to be temporary, given the novelty factor of the new casinos.
“Over the long term, we expect the mass-market segment to stabilise, since it is difficult to imagine Malaysian mass-market punters making regular visits to Singapore,” Nomura said.
fr:biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/9/business/5638418&sec=business
Casino to open first
SINGAPORE, Feb 11 — With preparations underway at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) to open its casino in time for Chinese New Year, those seeking the thrill of theme park rides will have to wait a little longer.
Media reports this week had speculated that RWS’ casino and Universal Studios theme park will open in time for the festive holidays.
MediaCorp understands that Universal Studios Singapore will throw open its gates a few weeks later after it completes the final safety checks.
Responding to queries, RWS spokesman Robin Goh said: “We are on track to opening the theme park in the first quarter of 2010.”
Analysts said that while the ideal situation is for both the casino and theme park to open at the same time to capitalise on the CNY holidays, RWS can still expect to reap dividends from opening the casino first.
Chesterton Suntec International head of research and consultancy, Mr Colin Tan, said: “To hold back the casino means they lose money, so it’s better to open as early as possible to start earning money.
“Chinese New Year is the best time to open. That’s when they get the most publicity. It is also nice to start the New Year with a casino.”
But with the weekend inching closer and no firm date for the casino opening announced, it may now be too late for tourists to fly in to gamble at the RWS casino.
Travel agents told MediaCorp that flights to Singapore over the weekend were full. While there are still hotel rooms available in the city, hotels in Sentosa are fully booked for the weekend.
Alicia Seah, CTC Holidays’ senior vice-president of marketing and public relations, said she expects visitors to RWS this weekend to comprise of mainly Singaporeans — instead of tour groups whose travel plans would have been firmed up for the weekend.
And while some Singaporeans told MediaCorp they are planning to visit RWS during the festive break, several others have no intention of doing so even with the casino thrown in as an added attraction.
Said 27-year-old Ken Sim: “I’m not a gambler so there is no point making the trip down. And the opening date is not confirmed yet, so I’ll just be visiting relatives and friends during the holidays.”
fr:themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/business/52763-casino-to-open-first
Singapore’s first casino opens this Sunday
SINGAPORE: The republic’s first casino will open on Sunday at 12.18pm, together with a partial opening of Universal Studios.
A day of festivities at the Integrated Resort has been planned to mark the red-letter day, including the debut of its public attraction, Lake of Dreams, and evening previews at its Universal Studios theme park.
The casino opening is part of the initial phased opening of Singapore’s first IR (integrated resort) that began on Jan 20 with the opening of its four hotels: Crockfords Tower; Hotel Michael; Festive Hotel; and Hard Rock Hotel Singapore. Its shopping and dining promenade, FestiveWalk, soft-opened on Jan 30.
Resorts World Sentosa chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said: “In less than three years since the time we broke ground and commenced construction for Resorts World Sentosa, we have taken our vision from drawing board to reality.”
“This is a significant milestone in Singapore’s business history. We promised to deliver a true integrated resort, and we have not deviated from that.”
For sneak peek week, Universal Studios Singapore will open from 5pm to 9pm every night from Feb 14 to 21
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/11/nation/20100211145115&sec=nation
Sentosa casino set for auspicious opening
THE Resorts World Sentosa casino will open its doors to the public today, reported Sin Chew Daily.
The daily quoted a worker as saying that the opening would be at 8.18am, considered auspicious, or a similar “prosperous” time.
It said Genting chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay was spotted at the casino on Wednesday for an inspection.
He was seen accompanied by a “team”, half of whom were foreigners. He stopped occasionally to introduce them to the various sections of the casino.
The daily said there were also rehearsals for a “welcoming ceremony” with various models and artistes seen dressed up like “Greek gods holding playing cards.”
It said many people began to speculate on the casino’s opening date after it obtained its licence on Saturday.
It reported that the casino has more than 500 gambling tables for 19 games.
> CHINA Press reported that a 26-year-old Malaysian woman who was sentenced to 25 years’ jail in Australia gave birth to a baby boy last week.
The woman was caught in June last year for trafficking in 25 heroin pills weighing 105gm in plastic tubes which she swallowed.
However, the mother and baby have been separated with the latter cared for by the welfare department. The woman was caught after X-ray images revealed she was carrying drugs.
> Other News & Views is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a > sign, it denotes a separate news item.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/12/nation/5661404&sec=nation
Singapore tries luring foreigners as casino opens
SINGAPORE (AP): Foreigners and a few Singaporeans streamed to card and dice tables and slot machines Sunday at 12:18 p.m. – the lucky minute when tightly controlled Singapore opened its first casino.
The city-state is counting on the Resorts World Sentosa casino and another opening in May to lure tourists and expatriates without besmirching Singapore’s hard-earned reputation as corruption-free.
The line for foreigners was long and deep at the midday opening, while few Singaporeans and permanent residents appeared eager to pay the fee required of them to enter. Chinese consider eight a lucky number because it sounds like prosper or wealth in the Mandarin dialect.
The casino is part of Resorts World Sentosa, built by Malaysia’s Genting Bhd for 6.6 billion Singapore dollars ($4.7 billion) on an island just off Singapore’s coast.
The government expects the two casino-resorts – Las Vegas Sands opens its Marina Bay Sands in May – to increase the country’s gross domestic product growth by up to 1 percentage point and add 35,000 jobs.
Singapore also is trying to broaden its tourism appeal, part of a gradual shift toward a services-based economy and away from labor-intensive manufacturing that its poorer Asian neighbors can do more cheaply.
“They recognize they have to evolve,” said David Cohen, an analyst with consultancy Action Economics in Singapore. “Some of their traditional industries are no longer going to be competitive as Singapore climbs the ladder into a higher income, higher cost location.”
Genting Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said he expects 13 million visitors to Resorts World this year – 60 percent foreign and 40 percent Singaporean. He declined to say how many visitors he expected at the casino alone.
The casino proposal hit stiff public resistance when it was debated in 2005 as opponents worried about gambling-related problems such as loan-sharking and bankruptcy and a possible undermining of the country’s values of discipline and hard work.
The government decided to go ahead with the projects for their economic benefit while implementing measures to minimize social harm.
All Singaporeans and permanent residents must pay SG$100 a day or SG$2,000 a year to enter a casino, while foreigners are not charged. More than 34,000 residents – including those on welfare, in bankruptcy, with criminal records or flagged by family members – are barred from the casinos.
“It’s a way to mitigate and ameliorate, to have the goodness without all the badness,” said Lim Hock San, chairman of the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Singapore, an island of 5 million people, has gained notice in the past for its ban on chewing gum sales, caning sentences for minor crimes such as vandalism and executions of drug smugglers.
fr:biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/15/business/20100215073332&sec=business
Flash cars at Singapore’s Resorts World as the big boys come out to play
SINGAPORE, Feb 17 — Judging from the swanky wheels parked at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), it appears that amid the thousands of punters at Singapore’s first casino over the long Chinese New Year weekend, were several local high-rollers.
This was confirmed by several valets whom MediaCorp spoke to.
The valets revealed that they had parked or seen at least 20 Ferraris, Lamborghinis and other high-end cars. Their owners had mostly arrived late in the evening and left the next afternoon. Many Singaporeans were also seen taking photographs of the cars, most sporting local licence plates.
For high-rollers, defined by the casino as those with at least S$100,000 (RM243,711) in credit to gamble, there are 120 private gaming rooms with concealed entrances. Personal butlers attend to their every need, serving bite-sized delicacies, drinks and cigars. RWS declined to reveal how many premium players it has received thus far, and those gambling in the common playing area are unable to peer into the upper-level rooms.
As of last night, there had been more than 60,000 visitors to the casino since it opened. An insider, who declined to be named, told MediaCorp that based on initial estimates, more than a third of the gamblers were Malaysians and RWS had raked in an estimated S$40 million in the first two days.
With the Chinese New Year holiday over, fewer visitors are expected from today. But yesterday, due to the overwhelming number of overseas patrons, the queue for foreigners was allowed to spill onto the second level, to prevent some of the disorder seen on the first day.
Despite this, some tourists had to wait for up to two hours under the sun — leaving them hot and bothered under the collar. However. Mr S Raghaven from India, who stood in line for about 90 minutes, said the wait was to be expected because of the festive season.
Other glitches were also still being sorted out.
Several cashback machines broke down yesterday, leading to a delay — of up to 30 minutes in some cases — before patrons could collect their winning profits. RWS vice-president of communications Krist Boo said the croupiers would also get better with time. “They started training as early as August last year … but nothing beats the real thing … many are learning on the job,” she admitted.
But despite the teething problems, there was a general carnival atmosphere all round.
A 19-year-old guide, hired to help direct the crowds, told MediaCorp about the visitor pattern she had picked up after three days on the job.
Older folk typically arrive in the afternoon, excitedly discussing their game strategies, said the teen, who is waiting to enter university.
Younger gamblers arrive after dinner, talking about which games would help to earn them the most profits
fr:themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/business/53375-flash-cars-at-singapores-resorts-world-as-the-big-boys-come-out-to-play
Resorts World Sentosa says 70% of its over 8,000 staff are S’poreans, PRs
Resorts World Sentosa said 70 per cent of its staff strength of over 8,000 are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents.
But some who’ve visited the gaming tables are questioning where exactly are they working?
Resorts World Sentosa said since it was awarded the integrated resort in 2006, it has remained committed to hiring Singaporeans as a first priority.
And it added it’s been working closely with local universities, polytechnics and government agencies to hire and train Singaporean workers.
But 30 per cent of the jobs still went to foreigners.
Robin Goh, assistant director, Communications, Resorts World Sentosa, said: “There might be skill sets that are lacking in Singapore perhaps. For example jobs in casino and jobs within Universal Studios Singapore. And again, sad to say, it is also a challenge to find Singaporeans to pick up some jobs that they sometimes shun, for example jobs that have shifts.”
Resorts World was not able to give a detailed breakdown on the proportion of locals to foreigners in the various jobs available at the integrated resort.
However, it said areas like administration, ticketing and admission, hotels and the Universal Studios theme park have a higher proportion of Singaporeans.
And it will continue to strive to employ more Singaporeans and PRs.
Mr Goh explained: “We’re starting our chain of job fairs around Singapore and that will come online very soon.”
The integrated resort is still looking to fill some 2,000 vacancies.
Meanwhile, the casino continues to attract huge crowds on the first work-day after the Lunar New Year holidays.
Although many locals are back at work, there are enough foreign visitors to ensure the gambling hall remains packed.
One tourist said: “We heard about it back in Australia. We planned to be here for the opening and that’s why we’re here to win!”
More than 60,000 people have visited the casino since it opened on Sunday.
fr:channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1038035/1/.html
S’pore Marina Bay Sands to open in late April
LAS VEGAS: Casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp. said Wednesday that it lost money in the fourth quarter on expenses to open its Singapore resort and charges to write down the value of properties in Macau and Pennsylvania.
Company officials said its Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore would open in late April.
Adelson told investors in a conference call that an opening date will be announced next week.
Sands said it spent $42.1 million on pre-opening expenses in the fourth quarter, primarily on the Singapore resort.
The company led by billionaire Sheldon Adelson saw improvements in its gambling business in Macau but no sign of a rebound in the Las Vegas market, which has been battered by the recession and high unemployment.
Growth fell in Macau with the onset of the economic crisis, but has since recovered because of a robust Chinese economy and relaxed visa restrictions on mainland Chinese tourists.
Macau has surpassed the Las Vegas Strip as the world’s most lucrative gambling market.
The loss of $113.9 million, or 17 cents per share, compares with a loss of $136.5 million, or 27 cents per share, during the same quarter a year ago.
Excluding the one-time costs, adjusted net income was $20.9 million, 3 cents per share.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, whose estimates generally exclude one-time items, expected Sands to earn 3 cents per share on revenue of $1.23 billion.
Sands said it lost $540 million for all of 2009, compared with $188.8 million in 2008.
The Las Vegas-based company said it had $1.88 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter and $4.56 billion for all of 2009, compared with $1.09 billion in the fourth quarter one year ago and $4.39 billion in 2008.
Sands owns the Venetian Macao, Sands Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao and Plaza Casino in Macau and and the Venetian and Palazzo casino resorts in Las Vegas.
Its fourth-quarter revenue at three casinos in the Chinese gambling enclave were $952.8 million, compared with just $263.7 million from its Las Vegas operations.
Sands said it had an operating loss of $15.7 million at its Venetian Las Vegas and Palazzo Las Vegas casino-resorts.
Adelson said record revenues in Macau were helped by strong gambling revenue and cost cuts implemented last year.
It reported $154.5 million in depreciation and amortization expenses for the quarter.
fr:biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/18/business/20100218072055&sec=business
Sands to open S’pore US$5.5bil casino-resort April 27
SINGAPORE: Las Vegas Sands plans to open its US$5.5 billion Singapore casino and resort on April 27 after months of delays, the company said Wednesday.
The Marina Bay Sands expects to open its casino, 963 hotel rooms and parts of a shopping mall and convention center, the company said in a statement.
A park connecting the top of three hotel towers, an events plaza and the rest of the shopping mall should open on June 23 while a theater opens in October and a museum in December, the company said.
The project was initially scheduled to open in December, but the opening was pushed back to February and then to April because of heavy rains and the bankruptcy of some of the project’s subcontractors, Chairman Sheldon Adelson said last year.
Malaysia’s Genting Bhd opened Singapore’s first casino at its Resorts World Sentosa earlier this month.
fr:biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/24/business/20100224123107&sec=business
First phase of Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands opens today
SINGAPORE: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore’s second integrated resort, by the Marina Bay here, will open its doors to the public today.
In a statement yesterday, Marina Bay Sands also announced that Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore had awarded the licence to operate a casino in the resort.
It is the second casino licence issued by the authority this year. The first was awarded to Genting’s Resorts World on Sentosa island last month.
The resort said in the first phase it would open at 3.18pm today 963 of 2,560 hotel rooms, a portion of its shopping mall, some restaurants, the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, the event plaza and casino.
The remainder of the hotel rooms and suites, the Sands SkyPark and additional shops would be available as part of the grand opening on June 23, the statement said. The museum, theatres and rest of the shops would open towards the end of the year, it said.
fr:biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/27/business/6135459&sec=business
Singapore visitor arrivals 17.3% up on casino boost
SINGAPORE: Visitor arrivals in Singapore rose 17.3% in March from a year earlier to reach 928,000, the best ever recorded for the month of March, as the citystate gets a boost from its first casino opening in February.
In February visitor arrivals had surged 24% from a year earlier.
Hotel occupancy rose 14 percentage points from a year ago to 87.1%, with average room rates rising 3.3% in March to S$205 (US$149), the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said yesterday.
The number of “visitor days” the overall visitor arrivals times an average length of stay for each visitor grew 16.4% in March from a year earlier to 3.5 million days.
Singapore is banking on its two casinos to boost tourists. The US$4.7bil Resort World on Sentosa, owned by Malaysia’s Genting Group, opened its doors to visitors in February, and the US$5.5bil Las Vegas Sands owned Marina Bay Sands casino resort opened yesterday.
Visitor arrivals to Singapore may rise by as much as 30% this year, helped by an economic recovery in Asia and by the two casinos, STB said in March.
Each casino is expected to contribute a value add of S$2.7 billion (US$1.92bil), or 0.5% to 1%, to Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2015, STB estimates.
Singapore is trying to diversify into services industries such as tourism to reduce dependence on manufacturing. But it suffered a fall in tourism as well as exports in 2009 during the financial crisis.
The number of visitors to Singapore fell by 4.3% last year to 9.7 million, driving revenue from the sector down 19% to S$12.4bil.
fr:biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/28/business/6144021&sec=business
JB’s nightlife takes a hit
JOHOR BARU: The opening of the two casinos in Singapore is hurting Johor Baru’s nightlife, with many entertainment outlets and massage parlours experiencing a drastic drop in business.
Johor entertainment outlet operators association president Tan Yam Meng said that many people, especially those operating pubs and discotheques, were complaining about the drop in business.
There was a lot of hype about the two casinos and how Johor would benefit from the spillover.
However, it has not been good for the state’s nightlife as locals now prefer to head to the casinos after work to gamble and enjoy round-the-clock entertainment, he said.
He hoped the state government would revise the 1am closing time to 3am.
Tan pointed out that Malaysians make up 70% of the clients frequenting nightspots while the rest were Singaporeans and tourists.
“Now with so many Malaysians going across, it is hurting our business. Why would someone want to enjoy in Johor Baru until 1am when he can do the same for 24 hours at the casinos?” he said.
He added that if the trend continued, many local entertainment operators would have to close shop.
Tan said there were about 100 entertainment operators within the Johor Baru district.
The cost of opening an entertainment outlet was high with anything between RM100,000 and RM1mil, he told The Star here yesterday.
Businessman Rodney Soon, who operates a massage parlour in Jalan Maju, said he had experienced a 40% drop in business.
“While the hotel industry seems to be enjoying better business with people opting to stay in our hotels, many people are now heading to the casinos instead of frequenting our outlets.
“The market is getting bad and we hope the situation will stabilise within the next six months,” he said, adding that offering discounts or other promotions would not be able to lure the people back.
Soon said that extending business hours was a step in the right direction as businesses were surviving on their local customers.
The Marina Bay Sands casino started operations last month while the Resorts World Sentosa opened its doors in February.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/19/nation/6289004&sec=nation
Singapore Marina Bay Sands officially opened Tuesday
SINGAPORE: Marina Bay Sands is set to change the concept of integrated resorts not only in Singapore but the whole of South Asia.
“Marina Bay Sands is really the future of tourism development. For countries serious about boosting tourism and creating new jobs, the integrated resort model is unmatched and Marina Bay Sands will now be a reference point by which all new tourism projects are judged,” Las Vegas Sands Corp chairman Sheldon G. Adelson told a press conference.
Las Vegas Sands owns the Singapore integrated resort that officially opened yesterday.
Adelson said although the integrated resort offered a casino, the casino only took 3% of the total gross floor area.
Unlike other casinos in Las Vegas, a visitor to Marina Bay Sands would not see the casino at its entrance. One had to actually look for the casino in a Sands hotel, he added.
“An integrated resort caters to all people,” he said.
Attractions included well-known restaurants with reasonable prices, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions facilities that could host 11,000 delegates at one time, shops with world class brands, the “Lion King” musical and continuous theatre shows throughout the year, a world class museum and a 1.2ha skypark on top of the three hotel towers, he added.
The property itself will be a new iconic landmark for Singapore. With three 55-floor towers offering 2,561 rooms and suites, it is the biggest hotel in Singapore and is strategically located in the heart of the city.
Over the last two months, the casino business has seen 500,000 visitors each month. On the average, the integrated resort expects to attract 70,000 visitors a day and 18 million visitors a year.
Adelson said even though the resort expected to attract the international market, its main first-tier visitors would be from Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. Its second-tier market comprises middle-class visitors from the Indochina region and Thailand. The last tier is Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, the Philippines, India, South Korea and Japan.
He also noted that the hotel had recorded full occupancy since the resort opened in February.
fr:biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/24/business/6534473&sec=business