Yesterday Genting International plc and Star Cruises Limited announced that if they win the tender for Sentosa Island’s integrated casino resort they will spend US$3.8 billion on its refurbishment over the next 30 years. The proposed Genting project, which includes a Universal Studios theme park and a 20-acre Quest Marine Life Park, is valued at US$3.3 billion and could generate as much as US$9.5 a year in tourism spending by drawing up to 10 million visitors annually by 2015.

The Quest Marine Park, to be designed and operated by the world’s leading marine encounter company, Dolphin Quest, will be home to as many as 700,000 aquatic animals, including bat rays, dolphins and the world’s largest collection of coral reef and open ocean fish. The marine park will also house a 6.6 million gallon lagoon that allows visitors the chance to snorkel and dive with whale sharks. The two other world class attractions at what is described as being a big, bold and vibrant development providing the ultimate in entertainment, edutainment and leisure, are the Equarius Water Park and the Maritime Xperiential Museum.

The Equarius Water Park will be nestled under the natural canopy of Sentosa’s original forest, with the water rides integrated within the island’s natural tropical environment. The water park will be designed by Forrec Limited of Canada. The Maritime Xperiential Museum will be the only museum in the world dedicated to the celebration of the maritime heritage of Asia, the Asian voyages of discovery and the history of global trade as revealed through marine archaeology. Created by the world famous museum designers, Ralph Appelbaum Associates, the Maritime Xperiential Museum will be Asia’s most compelling interactive, educational venue.

Besides featuring 22 attractions, including at least 16 rides designed especially for Singapore, Universal Studios Singapore will house a ‘live’ studio, with soundstage and back lots for movie and television productions. There will also be a digital animation studio where guests can see and learn first hand about the magic of computer-generated imagery and digital animation. It is envisaged that the studio will be a greenhouse for Asia’s most talented animation artists.

In the Genting plan there will be six hotels as well as plenty for day-trippers to see and do. There is FestiveWalk with its unparalleled array of dining and retail options while the Bull Ring will be a hive of activity with roving acts and street performances. When the sun sets, visitors can enjoy the “Crane Ballet”, a pyrotechnics/water spectacle along the waterfront of FestiveWalk. There is also a daily “Imagineering” show, a multi-dimensional display of captivating special effects.

Mr Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and CEO of the Genting Group, said, “We see a unique opportunity for us to create a global tourism icon with this development. Genting and its partners have put together a visionary collection of ideas and a plan that we firmly believe is the right solution to fulfil Singapore’s tourism potential.” He added, “Resorts World at Sentosa is my vision for a trail-blazing tourism product with universal appeal. Behind this vision stand the strength of the Genting consortium’s track record – a powerful testimony of how we have the means and ability to fulfil Singapore’s vision for a large-scale iconic development that will shift the paradigm of tourism here.” (E-10.17.06)

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