Malaysia’s Genting International, partnered with Star Cruises – parent of Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line – was in a close race against bidders like Kerzner-CapitaLand Intergrated Resorts Pte Ltd and Eighth Wonder Pte Ltd when eventually they were awarded the second casino resort contract on Singapore’s tourist island Sentosa worth 3.3 billion dollars.
The Singapore Tourism Board said that all three proposals underwent rigorous evaluation of both qualitative and quantitative factors and Genting submitted the best proposal overall, based on its ability to attract new and repeat tourism and raise Singapore’s profile as a prime family destination.
The result was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Professor S Jayakumar at a press conference and came as no surprise to analysts who had long selected Genting International as the ‘shoo-in’ from the beginning, due to Genting and Star Cruises’ combined industry experience of more than 50 years in Asia. The resort is expected to attract 10 million visitors and generate $15 billion in tourism receipts by 2015.
“We are extremely delighted to have been chosen and are very excited and honoured to be entrusted with the great task of taking Singapore’s tourism sector to the next level,” said Lim Kok Thay, Chairman of Genting International and Star Cruises. “We have the means and ability to shift the paradigm of tourism here and look forward to contribute to the next chapter of Singapore’s tourism success story.”
Genting has already committed a development investment of $3.85 billion, but combine that with the land price and other associated capital costs, the total investment by Genting rounds up to $5.2 billion. Trade Minister Lim Hng Kiang added that Genting International is expected to contribute 2.7 billion dollars to Singapore’s annual Gross Domestic and add about 30,000 jobs throughout the economy by 2015.
The Resorts World at Sentosa is a design made out of a collection of resorts within a resort so that tourists will be able to enjoy a multi-resort experience.
The Universal Studios theme park alone, offers 22 attractions within seven themed worlds, of which 16 will be designed exclusively for Singapore. When completed, it will be tagged as the largest theme park in Asia.
Resorts World at Sentosa will also offer other family entertainment experiences such as Quest Marine Life Park, the largest single marine tank in the world spanning over 8 hectares featuring some 700,000 species of fish, a 6.5 million gallon Whale Shark Lagoon and an interactive dolphin habitat, operated by Dolphin Quest.
A total of six hotels will be offering 1, 830 rooms including a first-in-the-world hotel – Hotel Michael – designed by award winning architect, Michael Graves. Visitors will also be able to dine and entertain at signature gourmet restaurants with Master Chefs like Alain Fabregues, Alan Wong, Scott Webster, Marlon Abele-MARC Group, Gary Kunz, Harlan Goldstein, Susur Lee, Luke Mangan and Don Pintabona.
However, Resorts World has not forgotten that it is not just about fun and play. They have also included meeting facilities to host an estimate of 12,000 delegates in 3 key venues, namely; 1,600 theatre-style seating Le Vie Showroom/Plenary Hall, a 7,300 theatre-style seating Ballroom and 22 meeting rooms capable of hosting more than 3,000 people. Additionally, there are seven indoor venues and 10 outdoor incentive venues.
Economists predict the Singapore economy will possibly grow between 6.5 to 7.5 percent when the resorts are operational from 2010. The construction industries are also expected to benefit by growing 10 to 15 percent per year from now till 2009.
Resorts World at Sentosa is expected to be ready and launched in early 2010 and Mr Lim Kok Thay concluded with “promises to deliver an integrated resort that Singaporeans will be proud of, one that will contribute significantly to the local economy and community.”
