Sentosa – Evolving into a Premier Leisure Destination

Jan. 31, 2011 - PRLog -- Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, Good evening:

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I am pleased to join you this evening to celebrate the opening of the Sentosa Boardwalk. This Boardwalk marks yet another milestone for Sentosa in its plans to become a leading tourist destination in the region.

Sentosa – Evolving into a Premier Leisure Destination

Through careful planning, vision and passion, Sentosa has over the years evolved into a modern leisure and lifestyle destination, receiving more than 17 million visitors in 2010.To keep pace with its increasing popularity, its transport system has been steadily upgraded to ensure easy access for visitors.

Some of you may remember how in the early days, getting across from mainland Singapore to Sentosa meant hopping on the ferry or riding in the cable car.The options have since expanded to include a train, bus or car ride.Visitors continue to come to Sentosa because it has constantly reinvented itself and refreshed its range of unique leisure and entertainment experiences. This boardwalk is a good example.

By locating retail shops and F&B outlets on the walkway, installing travellators and illuminating the boardwalk at night, walking down the boardwalk becomes a unique experience.  It is no longer just another way to get to Sentosa, but an attraction in its own right.I am looking forward to strolling down the Boardwalk to view some of the leisure and recreational developments that have helped to transform Sentosa into a premier leisure destination.

Today, Sentosa is home to over 200 leisure and entertainment attractions and F&B outlets. This includes Singapore’s first integrated resort and South East Asia’s first Universal Studios theme park. But Sentosa is more than just another destination boasting the latest leisure and entertainment options.

It is also an island with history and natural landscape, which gives the resort its unique charm. Two years ago, I had the pleasure of opening Sentosa’s Nature Discovery Trail. At that time, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) made the commitment to ensure that 60 per cent of Sentosa would remain green.

They continue to hold true to that commitment. The Sentosa we enjoy today is a result of continuous efforts to preserve the island’s heritage and nurture its lush environment, while ensuring that development plans complement the existing elements that give Sentosa its appeal.

Transforming Singapore’s Tourism Landscape

Sentosa’s efforts to constantly refresh itself, reflect the broader strategy that the Government has adopted for Singapore’s tourism landscape:-  to continue to be a choice destination for tourists, we must continue to offer new and exciting experiences for visitors. This means developing key iconic attractions even as existing ones rejuvenate their offerings.

Doing so will also help put our tourism sector in the best possible position to capitalise on the urge to travel among the growing middle class especially in Asia.Indeed, the outlook for Singapore’s tourism sector is promising. Most of Asia has made a strong rebound from the global financial crisis and our tourism sector has benefitted from this.

Visitorship not only rebounded from the decline in 2009 but also set a new record.  We expect to meet our target of 11.5 – 12.5 million visitors for the year 2010.  If achieved, it will be our highest number.

Equally important, this transformation helps bring us closer to our vision to become a global city with a vibrant lifestyle.  The F1 night race, for example, has not only attracted new visitors to our shores, but also brought buzz to the city.  Tourism developments such as the integrated resorts have also expanded leisure and entertainment options for Singaporeans.

We will therefore continue to build on this momentum with more attractions, to complement Singapore’s existing ones.Last year, Singapore saw the opening of the integrated resorts and with them, South East Asia’s first Universal Studios. In the next few years, a number of key projects will come on line.

These include the first phase of the Gardens by the Bay, the International Cruise Terminal at Marina South, as well as the River Safari Wildlife Park and the National Art Gallery.On the sporting front, development of the new Sports Hub is now underway, and with the modern new facilities there, including a stadium with a retractable roof, there will be opportunities to host many exciting events.

These developments will be key in setting us apart from other regional tourism destinations, making it attractive for tourists to return to Singapore for more.

Conclusion

On this note, I would like to congratulate Sentosa Development Corporation and all its Island Partners who have worked so hard in developing Sentosa into such a compelling destination for locals and tourists alike.  I look forward to the next milestone in Sentosa’s continued transformation.  I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year, and a wonderful year ahead.

Topics: 2011, Asia, Boardwalk, business, economic development, economic growth, Economy, employment, Governance, government, International Cruise Terminal, investment, jobs, leisure, lifestyle, Marina South, moniter, monitor, National Art Gallery, news, Pacific, planning, River Safari Wildlife Park, Sentosa, Sentosa Boardwalk, Singapore, society, Sports Hub, Teo Chee Hean, tourism, vision, visitors.

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