SG$9bn set aside for MBS' fourth tower and RWS' attractions

The ministry of trade and investment has set aside SG$9 billion for the two integrated resorts in Singapore - namely Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) - to enhance the tourism appeal and remain competitive with other destinations in the region. With the investment, the government aims to bring in more than half a million additional visitors annually. The resorts' expansions will also create up to 5,000 new jobs directly and benefit local businesses, including small and medium enterprises. About SG$4.5 billion will go into the creation of Marina Bay Sands' (MBS) additional tower and other facilities, as per an agreement between Las Vegas Sands and the Singapore government. MBS will be building a fourth tower, featuring a sky roof with a swimming pool and a restaurant, as well as a combination of meeting rooms, ballrooms and exhibition halls. Rob Goldstein, president and chief operating officer, Las Vegas Sands said the expansion of MBS is a key component of the company’s strategic growth plan and also reflects the strong tourism and business potential in Singapore. “New luxury hotel accommodations and a world-class entertainment venue are exactly the catalysts we need to drive additional visitation to Singapore, and specifically to Marina Bay Sands. The additional hotel rooms are extremely important to us in addressing the demand created by our leisure and business tourists and our premium gaming customers," he added. While the remaining SG$4.5 billion will be part of Resorts World Sentosa's (RWS) expansion plans to unlock the full potential of the Sentosa waterfront. RWS looks to create a new wave of tourism growth for the next decade, as it aims to unveil new attractions, entertainment and lifestyle offerings. This major expansion will be delivered in phases with new experiences opening every year from 2020 to a projected completion around 2025. The expansion of Universal Studios Singapore will unveil two new popular entertainment concepts – Minion Park and Super Nintendo World. These new areas will feature all-audience and family-friendly attractions and themed shops and restaurants. Meanwhile, the S.E.A. Aquarium is proposed to be rebranded as Singapore Oceanarium which will see its transformation to a blend of specially curated marine life and additional exhibits of prehistoric marine life and deep sea creatures. This also includes a new Waterfront Lifestyle Complex helmed by two new destination hotels, together with the expansion of Central Zone. The entire waterfront promenade will be completely renewed, anchored by a public attraction that will set the scene for seafront activities that include dining and lifestyle activities. Replacing the Resorts World Theatre will be a new Adventure Dining Playhouse, while a new Driverless Transport System will provide last-mile connectivity between the mainland and Sentosa with "better efficiency and capacity". Since opening in 2010, RWS has brought in over 20 million international and local visitors annually. According to a statement from RWS, this accounts for more than one-third of all international visitor arrivals into Singapore. Tan Hee Teck, chief executive officer of RWS said being a game-changer and growth engine in the last ten years in transforming Singapore’s tourism landscape, the major reinvestment and expansion in Singapore underlines its belief in the business model and the future opportunities that lie ahead when the development gets completed. "In the year of Singapore’s Bicentennial celebrations, RWS is excited to be embarking on this makeover to ensure that we continue to be the top Integrated Resort in this region. The journey has been fulfilling with RWS providing strong leadership in the Singapore tourism industry," he added. Read also: RWS concludes global media pitch covering more than 10 markets Sentosa and One Faber Group ramp up marketing activities for evening crowd