Genting bets on Q1 S'pore opening

"We expect to receive 13 million visitors in its first year of operations in 2010, with the annual 340,000 visitors from Thailand to Singapore making up one of its key visitor sources," Robin Goh, assistant director for communications, said yesterday.

The development follows the group's successes with Genting Highland Resort in Malaysia and Star Cruises in the region. The group claims that the new project will become the biggest theme park resort in Southeast Asia.

The resort is being constructed on the famous Sentosa Island of Singapore at a cost of US$4.3 billion (Bt144 billion). The Singapore government granted Genting Group a concession for the development.

US-based Las Vegas Sands, which owns Venetian Macao, also received permission from Singapore officials to build the $1.2-billion Marina Bay Sands Singapore, which is set to debut in January or February.

Resort World Singapore will offer many attractions, including the world's fourth Universal Studio, DreamWorks Animation, marine life park, entertainment, convention hall, casino and six hotels such as Hard Rock, Hotel Michael and Maxims Tower.

Other key markets were China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia, he said.

Krist Boo, vice president of communications, said Thai travellers are already highly familiar with Singapore as a destination for vacationing and shopping.

But Genting believes the resort will give Thais a new reason, a new purpose, to visit Singapore again, and provide a boost for tourist arrivals from Thailand to Singapore.

"Thais no longer have to travel long haul for a world-class holiday experience because now, Universal Studios Singapore, Hard Rock Hotel, luxury shopping and top-class entertainment are just two hours and a half away," she said.

The resort expects to contribute 2.7 billion Singapore dollars (Bt64.4 billion) or 0.8 percentage points annually to Singapore's gross domestic product and help the country reach its 17 million-tourist target in 2015, up from 10 million visitors last year.

The operator yesterday opened its roadshow in Thailand. It will then present the project in other countries through the region.

It also plans to promote the resort in the West, including at the World Travel Mart in London this year.

Introductory packages are planned to be launched by the end of the year.