With three consortia remaining in the bidding contest for Singapore’s second integrated casino resort complex, the Government is due to publish its decision this week. Earlier this year Las Vegas Sands was chosen to invest over US$3.2 billion in the Marina Bay Sands project now under construction. The competition for the second site, on Sentosa Island and required to provide family attractions, is said by many analysts to be close.

Giant Malaysian Genting Group, with vast experience in the Asian gaming market, is offering a theme park in partnership with Universal Studios. This is thought to rank highly with the Singapore Government although it has not always seen eye to eye with Star Cruises, a Genting subsidiary and joint contender with Genting International for the Sentosa licence. Besides the theme park, Genting would build six hotels, an oceanarium and a maritime museum at its planned Resorts World.

Eighth Wonder, the consortium that includes PBL Melco and Isle of Capri, is proposing a Pele soccer academy and stadium if it wins the bid. It also includes an oceanarium managed by the company of the late Jacques Cousteau’s son Philippe. The cost of its project is thought to be the highest of the three proposals, at around US$3.5 billion. An estimated 15,000 jobs at Eighth Wonder’s Harry’s Island Resort should also be attractive to the Singapore Government.

The third company to make its bid for the Sentosa Island project is the renowned Kerzner International in partnership with local developer CapitaLand. It plans a futuristic water theme park with live and robotic fish. The company is committed to continue with its bid despite the tragic death of its CEO Butch Kerzner. Atlantis Sentosa would spend US$2 billion over the first ten years in maintenance and refurbishment to ensure that it remained competitive in the Asian tourist market, a strong requirement of the Government.

The decision later this week will be made by a panel of seven ministers. As well as the level of investment the panel is also expected to consider architectural quality. Most important, however, will be the assessment of the three projects’ ability to generate repeat visits from foreign tourists. (E-12.05.06)

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