SINGAPORE | Resorts World at Sentosa Development News

[ignoramus]

Genting-Star Cruises consortium wins Sentosa integrated resort project

SINGAPORE: The Genting International-Star Cruises consortium has aced the Sentosa integrated resort project.

The result, just announced by Deputy Prime Minister Professor S Jayakumar at a news conference, came as no surprise as analysts had picked Genting as a frontrunner right from the start.

Its $5.2 billion Resorts World At Sentosa will leverage on international brand names like Universal Studios, which will design 16 new rides specially for the resort.

Besides the Universal Studios theme park, there will also be 3 other water-themed attractions, including a surf pool.

Visitors will be able to observe some 700,000 fish species in one of the world's largest oceanariums.

Genting's proposal also includes six hotels with over 1,800 rooms for both leisure and business travellers.

Earlier, market watchers had picked Genting as a favourite to win due to its Asian experience.

The resort is expected to attract 10 million visitors and generate $15 billion in tourism receipts by 2015.

The Sentosa integrated resort is expected to be ready in 2010.

The judging panel, made up of seven ministers, explained their decision.

"Genting submitted the most compelling proposal overall that best meets our economic and tourism objectives. In particular, the proposal reflects our vision for the Sentosa IR as a large-scale, family resort with its host of world-class family leisure attractions and other strong offerings. The attractions will position Sentosa and draw a significant number of new and repeat visitors," said Prof Jayakumar.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that the Singapore government evaluated the high-quality proposals carefully, before deciding that Genting fulfilled the key criteria such as the family leisure component of 22 attractions for the upcoming Universal Studios Singapore.

This will make it comparable to the theme park in Orlando, Florida.

However, the decision also boiled down to hard-nosed calculations.

"The total project investment is S$5.2b, which includes the land cost of S$605m. We made a projection and the economic contribution of Genting's contribution will be largely similar to the Marina Bay Sands proposal, which is about $2.7b in value-add contribution to our GDP or approximately 0.8 percent contribution to the GDP and generate about 30,000 jobs throughout the economy in the year 2015," said Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang.

The panel said they believe the two integrated resorts at Marina and Sentosa will complement each other very well, and allow Singapore to stimulate the growth of its meetings and conventions segment as well as the leisure segment to bring Singapore closer to its Tourism 2015 targets.

In a statement to the media, Kerzner-CapitaLand expressed their disappointment in not being selected for the Sentosa IR, but congratulated Genting International-Star Cruises for winning the bid. - CNA /dt

[babystan03]

More details of the winning bid....:yes:

The winning elements in Genting's Resorts World at Sentosa
Posted: 08 December 2006 1945 hrs

The bid by Infinity@The Bay Pte Ltd, a Joint Venture Company between Genting International & Star Cruises (“Genting”) to develop the Integrated Resort (IR) on Sentosa, has been described an excellent IR development that will strengthen Singapore’s overall appeal to visitors, positioning Sentosa and Singapore firmly as a top-of-mind, fun and exciting family destination.

In a news release, the Singapore Tourism Board said that the bids received from Genting, Kerzner CapitaLand Integrated Resorts Pte Ltd and Eighth Wonder Pte Ltd underwent rigorous evaluation of both the qualitative and quantitative factors, and Genting had submitted the best proposal overall.

The Resorts World at Sentosa design is a collection of resorts within a resort so visitors can have a multi-resort experience.

The anchor family leisure attractions include The Universal Studios Singapore Theme Park, The Quest Marine Life Park, The Equarius Water Park, The Maritime Xperiential Museum, and other entertainment offerings located along FestiveWalk.

Universal Studios will have its largest theme park in Asia at Resorts World at Sentosa offering 22 attractions within seven themed worlds, of which 16 will be specially designed for Singapore.
It will be developed at the east side of the IR site, using the theme “Ride the movies” and the attractions will be comparable to those found in Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure.

There will be seven themed worlds within Universal Studios Singapore namely: Waterworld, Lost World, Egypt, Super Hero City, Back Lot-The Big Apple, Hollywood Boulevard and Cartoon Studios.

Key highlights include the all-new “Journey to Madagascar” attraction and the Dreamworks Digital Animation Studios which will showcase the cutting edge of movie-making and real-time animation.

Resorts World at Sentosa will also offer other family entertainment experiences such as Quest Marine Life Park an oceanarium spanning 8 hectares with the largest single marine tank in the world, a 6.5 million gallon Whale Shark Lagoon, and interactive dolphin habitat, operated by the world-renowned Dolphin Quest.

Other attractions include the 1.3 hectares Equarius Water Park which is a water theme park custom-designed to integrate with the hillside terrain of Sentosa and a Maritime Xperiential Museum set at the waterfront.

This is expected to be the world’s first maritime silk route museum, dedicated to the subject of the maritime silk route between East Asia and the Middle East and will house the world’s first historical research centre dedicated to the subject. There will also be exhibits such as a full-scale glass replica of an ancient trading ship, a 360-degrees multimedia motion shipwreck theatre as well as live performances by acrobats on-board the ‘Bao Chuan” (Zheng He boat).

There will also be entertainment along the retail, dining and entertainment precinct of FestiveWalk, three public amphitheatres: The ShowPlace, an open-air 2,150 seat public amphitheatre; The Bull Ring, a 6,300 seating capacity amphitheatre; and Imagineering, a 1,714 seating capacity theatre which provides a magical dreamlike show with water, light and visual effects.

Visitors will also be able to catch the Crane Ballet, a showcase of multi-media moving art with choreographed animatronic crane dances nightly at the Festivewalk, with colourful streams of light, water and fire, all in sync with music and enhanced with video images on giant LCD screens.

Resorts World at Sentosa will also feature a resident show – ‘Le Vie’ (Life)which is put together by members from the same creative team behind the Cirque du Soleil blockbusters such as ‘KA’ and ‘O’ in Las Vegas.

There will be a total of six hotels offering 1,830 rooms including a first-in-the-world hotel - Hotel Michael - designed by award-winning architect, Michael Graves.

In addition, there is the ESPA Spa centre, offering programmes for wellness and self-improvement as well as 42 private ESPA Villas.

Visitors will also be able to be entertained at signature gourmet restaurants with Masterchefs such as Alain Fabregues, Alan Wong, Scott Webster, Marlon Abele-MARC Group, Gary Kunz, Harlan Goldstein, Susur Lee, Luke Mangan and Don Pintabona.

STB said the overall composition of buildings, form and massing responds well to the existing fabric of Sentosa.

The architecture is human scale with a village-like festive ambience. The site is well laid out, providing visitors with a clear visual orientation to key attractions and facilities.

What made the Resort devlopment attractive was the responsiveness to the tropical climate with extensive use of water, landscaping and materials such as stone and wood.

Most of the major attractions are designed with canopies, covered walkways and landscaped features to enhance visitors' experience in all-weather condition and there's been attractive night lighting to highlight the architectural features of the individual buildings and character of different zones.

There will be meeting facilities to host approximately 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 3000 people.

In addition, there are seven indoor venues as well as 10 outdoor incentive venues.

There will also be flagship concept retail stores including new retail brands not currently in Singapore such as Bershka, Stradavarius, Cortefiel, Promod, as well as The Universal Store and Hamleys toy store. cna/sf

[JoSin]

Ok, it seems Genting wins after all. Hope all these will go well...

[haze]

hoorayyy!! :banana: :banana: :banana: finally Genting win!! :) :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[babystan03]

Integrated resorts will boost and fundamentally change Singapore's economy
By Johnson Choo, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 08 December 2006 2020 hrs
SINGAPORE: Malaysia's Genting International says it is ecstatic that the Singapore government has accepted its proposal for the Sentosa Integrated resort which will be called Resorts World at Sentosa.

The casino, cruise and entertainment park operator likened its proposal as a "must see, must visit" family resort.

Analysts say there is much for Singapore to cheer as well.

Besides getting a Universal Studios theme park at its doorstep, the new integrated resort, together with the Marina Bay Sands, will boost Singapore's economy and fundamentally change its tourism industry.

After a tight race, the Sentosa project was finally awarded to Infinity@The Bay - the joint venture company of Genting International and Star Cruises.

The win is expected to have a positive impact on Star Cruises' cruise centre operations which is located just across the water from the Sentosa site at HarbourFront.

With a total of four theme parks and six hotels planned, Resorts World at Sentosa is expected to create some 10,000 new jobs.

Analysts believe the integrated resorts will be able to successfully attract more tourist arrivals, not only from the region but also from the rest of the world.

Song Seng Wun, Regional Economist at CIMB-GK Research, says: "Together with the development in Sentosa in terms of more luxury homes attracting a whole new level of visitors or residents here, perhaps it will create higher value-added hospitality-related spin-offs for the economy."

As part of its Tourism 2015 targets, the Singapore government hopes to draw in 10 million visitors in 2015 and generate an estimated S$15 billion in tourist receipts.

"We may not get the 25 million visitors that Hong Kong gets, but if the 10 or 15 million visitors we get spend more per head, that would have much more significant impact on the services sector, hospitality-related sector than any of the single-event before that. To me, the award of IR probably marked the potential of reshaping the tourism sector in Singapore in the years to come," says Mr Song.

Economists predict the Singapore economy could grow between 6.5 to 7.5 percent when the resorts are operational from 2009.

The construction sector is also expected to benefit by growing 10 to 15 percent on year from now to 2009. - CNA/so

[RafflesCity]

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/3933/gentingstarcruisesunivelf5.jpg

[babystan03]

There are more new renderings in channelnewsasia......do post them....:yes:

[babystan03]

New rendering of Resort World in Channelnewsasia...:yes:

1. Retail outlets
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gallery/images/ir-genting/38.jpg

2. Casino
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gallery/images/ir-genting/37.jpg

3. Food & Beverages Area
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gallery/images/ir-genting/36.jpg

4. Food & Beverages Area
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gallery/images/ir-genting/35.jpg

5. Maritime Museum Interior
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gallery/images/ir-genting/34.jpg

[babystan03]

6. Entertainment Area
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gallery/images/ir-genting/33.jpg

7. ESPA Villa
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gallery/images/ir-genting/32.jpg

8. ESPA Villa
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gallery/images/ir-genting/31.jpg

9. Crane Ballet
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gallery/images/ir-genting/22.jpg

10. The Show Place
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gallery/images/ir-genting/21.jpg

[RafflesCity]

It will be very enchanting....although the buildings are not large or unusual, collectively they do give you a nice warm fun feeling....as you would expect from a tropical island resort....

the night renderings shown on TV also looked quite cozy.....:cool:

[babystan03]

It will be very enchanting....although the buildings are not large or unusual, collectively they do give you a nice warm fun feeling....as you would expect from a tropical island resort....

the night renderings shown on TV also looked quite cozy.....:cool:

It has a very relaxing, resort feel to it.....hmm...a nice place to chill out and enjoy perhaps...:yes:

[RafflesCity]

urrgh...cant wait till 2009 and 2010! :happy:

[babystan03]

urrgh...cant wait till 2009 and 2010! :happy:

Yeah I supposed a tourism boom is on the way.....:yes:

[oshkoshbgood]

good news for Genting and Singaporean!

[babystan03]

Dec 9, 2006
Genting wins Sentosa IR bid

TRUMP CARDS:
Family-oriented theme with Universal Studios
Oceanarium, maritime museum, water park
Promise of 30,000 jobs, $2.7b boost to economy

By Krist Boo


GENTING International and partner Star Cruises have sailed smoothly to the finishing line, taking home the Sentosa Integrated Resort as its prize.

The consortium's family-oriented proposal, especially the much-touted Universal Studios theme park, was what powered it to victory, leaving in its wake rivals Kerzner-Capitaland and Eighth Wonder.

While famed architect Frank Gehry's glass sculpture design for the Kerzner team captured the imagination of the public, it was not enough to convince the judges.

Neither was Eighth Wonder's line-up of stars, such as soccer legend Pele, celebrity chef Alain Ducasse and fashion designer Vera Wang.

Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar, announcing the winner with five other ministers yesterday, said Genting's Resorts World at Sentosa was 'the most compelling proposal overall that best meets our economic and tourism objectives'.

The Government did the maths and found Genting's $5.2 billion proposal would generate 30,000 jobs, and add $2.7 billion, or 0.8 per cent, to the economy a year - on par with the projections for Marina Bay Sands.

The bonus: Genting has tied in Universal Studios to an exclusive deal, in which the theme park has agreed not to open in any other South-east Asian country for the next 30 years.

The judges also liked the other attractions: The world's largest oceanarium, a water-theme park, and a maritime museum.

The contest for Sentosa differed from that for Marina Bay. More emphasis was placed on the bidders' ability to woo family holidaymakers, not business visitors.

But while Sands and Genting are likely to vie with each other to attract highrollers to their casinos, Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang sees the pair as complementary in Singapore's larger tourism game plan to double visitor numbers to 17 million by 2015.

Genting's win ends a two-year journey which has seen Cabinet and public opinion split over Singapore's decision to overturn a 40-year ban on casinos in order to win more tourism dollars.

While Sands was the dark horse at Marina Bay, Genting's win drew hardly a gasp.

It is the only contender with experience in Asia, with its Genting Highlands resort and Asia's largest cruise company Star Cruises.

While some architects said Michael Graves' architecture was outclassed by Frank Gehry's, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said it was well laid out and true to the resort theme with its use of wood and stone.

Sentosa Leisure Group chief executive Darrell Metgzer, who will be Genting's new landlord, was especially pleased with its commitment to keep 70 per cent of its resort 'green', a tacit standard the island manager applies to Sentosa.

Mr Metgzer said Genting's design went well with the Harbourfront precinct.

With Genting's investment, the precinct, consisting of VivoCity, Mount Faber and St James Power Station, will now be a new $12 billion tourism destination.

Genting executives were 'ecstatic' at the win. Chairman Lim Kok Thay said it was confident of attracting 15 million visitors to its resort by 2015.

Genting's quest for the prize was fraught with criticism that it was a three-star operator and its Universal park was outdated. But minister Mr Lim said the Genting proposal included 'premium, quality attractions', many helmed by 'very strong partners'.

He pointed out that Universal was bringing in 16 new rides to Singapore. It has the chance to 'refresh' itself whenever there is a new blockbuster. Besides, tourists in Singapore's key markets - China, India and Indonesia - do not see it that way. 'The fact that Universal is a tried and tested brand does not mean it's stale.'

Asked if Singapore and Malaysia bilateral relations played a role in Genting's win, Professor Jayakumar said no, but added that with Genting's victory, 'this will bolster the strong economic ties between the two countries.'

krist@sph.com.sg
Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

[babystan03]

Rendering on Festive Walk on Lianhe Zaobao (9 Dec 2006)
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6637/dscf1101so2.jpg

Headlines on Lianhe Zaobao (9 Dec 2006)
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9805/dscf1102zr9.jpg

Headline on Straits Times (9 Dec 2006)
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1269/dscf1103vz7.jpg

[patchay]

Congrats to Genting consortium !!! :)

[redstone]

YAY!!!

[redstone]

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/3933/gentingstarcruisesunivelf5.jpg

I hate the buildings with the roundish roofs. :ohno:

[Jo]

So do I :(
I preferred the other bids. Singapore deserves only the best :) Although I'm sure this will turn out nicely as well

[haze]

the exterior design very2 look like sunway city.

[dubaiflo]

can't wait to see it..

you gotta love the island, i enjoyed it so much even if i was only there for like 4 hours..

[babystan03]

The roller coaster at the Universal Studio Singapore...:yes:
http://www.asiaone.com.sg/sentosaIR/gallery/pics/universal2.jpg

[amras]

OMG!!! is that for real?

[babystan03]

OMG!!! is that for real?

Think so since it's one of the rendering of the upcoming Universal Studio Singapore......:yes:

[ignoramus]

OMG!!! is that for real?

It was in the scale model. Plus it was mentioned in the press releases for a ''The Hulk'' rollercoaster.

[babystan03]

Resorts World at Sentosa to offer S$200m worth of businesses for SMEs
By Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 December 2006 1713 hrs

SINGAPORE : Resorts World at Sentosa is expected to give Singapore small and medium-sized companies a big lift.

In its first news conference since winning the bid to build Singapore's second integrated resort last Friday, the Genting International-Star Cruises consortium said up to S$200 million (US$120 million) worth of goods and services will be procured from local companies each year.

The $5.2 billion resort is poised to give Singapore's tourism sector a boost.

But that's not all.

Genting-Star Cruises wants to give Singapore companies a roll of the dice as well, by awarding between $100 million and $200 million worth of projects to them every year, in areas such as hotel supplies, security, laundry and landscaping services.

"We have roped in financial institutions to provide financing support to SMEs interested to provide goods and services to the resort. The financing support will help the SMEs to improve their cashflow, enhance their ability to invest in resources and equipment, and allow them to have access to opportunities presented at the resort," says Tan Hee Teck, Chief Financial Officer of Genting International.

The resort aims to attract 15 million visitors during its first year of operation in 2010 and hopes to breakeven in seven years.

The Genting-Star Cruises group is also planning to woo more tourists from the region with special cruise packages.

"If you look at Florida or Disney, as an example, Disney has a very popular package, what they call land and cruise (where you'll have) four days of cruise and four days at Magic Kingdom. We'll be packaging passengers from India where we have home ported ships. And in North Asia, we're primarily targeting the Chinese market," says Lim Kok Thay, chairman of Genting International-Star Cruises.

Genting will also set aside $30 million a year to fund marine biology programmes to promote research and education.

These will include field trips for students, internship programmes and placement of over 20 post-graduate students from Singapore in sponsored research fellowship overseas.

Genting says it hopes to work with Marina Bay Sands to provide complimentary offerings. For example, Resorts World at Sentosa will not focus too much on the convention and exhibition component but geared towards providing incentive packages at its attractions like Universal Studios and the Maritime Xperential Museum.

Over the next three months, Genting will be hiring engineers and contractors to work on the project.

It expects the three-year construction period to create 22,000 jobs and generate nearly $4 billion of value-add to the Singapore economy. - CNA /ls

[Vincecoaster]

This Rollercoaster would be a clone of an other one which already exist in Florida, in an other "Universal Studio" theme park called "Island of Adventure".

You will find further information on this link.

http://www.rcdb.com/id557.htm

Congratulation Singapore, it seems to be a great project !

[Cliff]

The roller coaster at the Universal Studio Singapore...:yes:
http://www.asiaone.com.sg/sentosaIR/gallery/pics/universal2.jpg

That IS the one at florida!
http://p2.rcdb.com/picmax/universal-studios-islands-of-adventure/incredible-hulk2.jpg

[Victoria]

Unique projects and great pictures, thanks for sharing. :)

[babystan03]

Dec 12, 2006
Genting to keep ticket prices at theme park competitive

By Marcel Lee Pereira

FRESH from winning the Sentosa integrated resort bid, Genting International yesterday took pains to address concerns that its attractions could be too expensive.

Tickets to the resort's Universal Studios theme park will be priced 'much lower' than the ones in the United States, Genting chairman Lim Kok Thay said yesterday.

It is too early to specify rates, but Genting will look at similar attractions around the world and set competitive prices.

Over the weekend, Singaporeans were reported in the media as being concerned that the admission charges at Universal Studios Sentosa could be too high.

At the Universal Studios in Hollywood, prices start from about US$50 (S$77) per adult.

Visitors to Sentosa, who will pay less, will get their money's worth.

There will be plenty of free shows: from the Crane Ballet, a showcase of choreographed 'dancing' construction cranes, to performances with water, light and visual effects at the 1,700-seat Imagineering theatre.

Apart from the rides, visitors can also visit 'edutainment' centres - including the Quest Marine Life Park, an 8ha oceanarium, and the Maritime Xperiential Museum, which will focus on Asia's seafaring history.

Genting will put in $20 million to $30 million a year to fund these attractions, and make the theme park a centre for research and learning in areas such as computer animation, marine biology and genomics.

The programmes include:

DreamWorks Digital Animation Studio: The 1,400sqm facility will give visitors a peek into how advanced computer animation technology is used in movies today.

Quest Medical and Marine Science Centre: It will focus on marine science and ecological education.

Marine biology, veterinary science, engineering and hospitality students will be offered internships and about 20 postgraduate students will be placed in a research fellowship programme with prominent marine biologists. Primary and secondary school students will also be offered lessons and field trips.

Quest Marine Life Park: Apart from housing the medical and marine science centre, it will provide logistics support and funds for a rescue centre and emergency response team for wild dolphins and other marine animals found stranded, sick or injured in the region.

Maritime Xperiental Museum: Leading scientist J. Craig Venter, who helped decode the human genome, will set up the Marine Environmental Genomics Research and Learning Centre here. Young children will get to discover bioscience and genomics hands-on.

Mr Lim is raring to go, and hopes to begin construction on the 49ha Resorts World at Sentosa as soon as possible.

He expects it to open in phases, with all areas welcoming visitors by 2010.

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved

[babystan03]

Business Times - 12 Dec 2006

Sentosa IR will be top tourism earner: Genting

It expects resort to account for half of S'pore's $30b tourism revenue target by 2015

By ARTHUR SIM

(SINGAPORE) Resorts World at Sentosa will be Singapore's single biggest tourism earner, raking in $15 billion by 2015, developer Genting International's chairman Lim Kok Thay said yesterday.

Giving his take on why Genting and sister company Star Cruises won the Sentosa integrated resort (IR) project, Mr Lim said Resorts World alone will account for half of the $30 billion tourism revenue target set by the Singapore Tourism Board by 2015.

Even before the first attraction opens, Resorts World will add about $3.9 billion of value to Singapore's economy during the three-year construction phase from 2007 to 2009, he said. Also, more than 22,000 jobs are expected to be created during this phase.

Although Mr Lim would not say when construction will start, he indicated Genting is keen to 'hit the ground running' - which means ground-breaking could happen as early as this month.

Speaking at Genting/Star Cruises's first news conference since they were announced as winners of the Sentosa IR tender on Friday, Mr Lim also said yesterday the partners will rope in financial institutions to provide lending support to local SMEs that want to provide goods and services to Resorts World - and is even prepared to act as guarantor.

'We believe the resort presents an excellent market opportunity for many local SMEs in areas such as sanitation, security, and maintenance,' he said. 'We expect to procure between $100 million to $200 million in goods and services from SMEs each year. This initiative is our way of supporting local SMEs and nurturing entrepreneurship.'

Genting/Star have already approached 'a couple of local banks' as well as US-based GE (General Electric), which owns a majority stake in Resorts World's key attraction - Universal Studios theme parks.

Genting/Star itself will employ some 10,000 people for theme park, resort entertainment and gaming operations. And 75 per cent of these jobs will go to Singaporeans. Mr Lim said recruitment is expected to take place six months before the target opening date in 2010.

Resorts World will give back to the community in other ways too.

Quest Marine Life Park, an attraction focusing on marine science and ecological education, will offer annual funding of between $20 million and $30 million for research and environmental programmes, which include sponsoring research fellowships.

Ticket pricing for attractions has not been confirmed yet.

Mr Lim said tickets for Universal Studios in the US cost about $80, but the partners are looking at cheaper prices here.

The Genting group is also looking at how it will leverage on its existing network to bring tourists to Singapore. Mr Lim said it will create holiday packages for Indian and Chinese tourists that will include land and sea travel, with the possibility of even more economic spin-offs for Singapore. 'If there is enough demand for a new cruise terminal, Star Cruises will take a serious look,' he said.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

[RafflesCity]

Sands warms to Genting overture

16 Dec 06

It says it is ready to work with Genting to promote IRs in face of strong competition worldwide

(SINGAPORE) Las Vegas Sands says it looks forward to working with Genting International to promote Singapore's upcoming integrated resorts (IRs), after Genting International chairman Lim Kok Thay made the first overture earlier this week. And work together they will have to.

'We look forward to working with Genting International to enhance Singapore's tourism landscape and transform it into a vibrant city filled with buzz, excitement and something for everyone,' Las Vegas Sands Corp president and chief operating officer Bill Weidner told BT.

And that's just as well. Because together, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa will be up against formidable competition worldwide.

As gaming analyst Jonathan Galaviz notes: 'The convergence of the hotel lodging, casino gaming and entertainment industries in global tourism markets is accelerating at a very fast pace and integrated resorts provide the delivery mechanism to consumers.'

Two of the newest and biggest will be the US$3 billion The Venetian Macao on Macau's Cotai Strip by Las Vegas Sands, and the US$7 billion Project CityCenter by MGM Mirage in Las Vegas.

Project CityCenter will have 4,800 hotel rooms, casino, convention centre facilities, retail/entertainment/F&B and 1,640 luxury condominiums.

The Venetian Macao - considerably closer to Singapore and much more of a rival for regional dollars - is expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2007. It will be a very strong contender for gaming, tourism and Mice (meetings, incentive, conventions and exhibitions) business, with an estimated 1.2 million square feet of Mice space, casinos, 6,300 hotel rooms and one million sq ft of retail space.

By comparison, Marina Bay Sands - also owned by Las Vegas Sands - will have 1.2 million sq ft, while Resorts World at Sentosa will have significantly less space for crowds of up to 12,000 people.

Analysts says Singapore's competition is likely to come from Macau, as Singapore will not be able to take a meaningful bite out of the Las Vegas Mice and gaming business. 'The Mice industries in Las Vegas and Singapore are somewhat isolated from each other, mainly due to geographic reasons, and therefore do not impact each other substantively,' says Mr Galaviz.

Macau, on the other hand, is seeking to grow both gaming revenue and Mice business by chasing the same market the Singapore Tourism Board has identified for Singapore - namely, Asia.

How real is the threat to Singapore's plans? This year Macau's gaming revenue will exceed that of Las Vegas.

Billy Ng, a gaming analyst with JPMorgan Asia-Pacific, says gaming revenue from the Vegas strip was US$6 billion last year and is set for growth of about 5 per cent this year, taking it to US$6.3 billion. Macau, on the other hand, saw gaming revenue hit US$5.6 billion last year and will see growth of about 20 per cent this year, Mr Ng estimates. And this means Macau will have revenue of US$6.7 billion for 2006.

Las Vegas Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson is reported to have said recently that he expects gaming revenue from Sands' Macau operations to hit between $11 billion and $15 billion by the end of the decade.

Right now, about 90 per cent of Macau's turnover comes from gaming revenue, but five years from now Mr Ng expects non-gaming takings to climb to about 30 per cent. Already, The Venetian Macao has lined up 26 Mice events for its first year of operation.

If the Mice and leisure industries keep growing at the rate now, the IRs in Macau, Singapore and Las Vegas will all be able to enjoy a sufficient slice of the business. 'I think basically, the demand is strong enough to support all three locations,' Mr Ng says. 'There is certainly some overlapping (when it comes to Singapore's and Macau's target markets) but I think the market is big enough.'

Still, there is a general sense among analysts that Singapore's IRs will draw most of their visitors from South Asian and South-east Asian markets, leaving North Asia - including the huge China market that Singapore covets - to Macau. Asked how much competition the Singapore IRs will pose to the gaming, leisure and Mice businesses in Las Vegas and Macau, Morgan Stanley analyst Rob Hart answers: 'Virtually none. Macau will target Greater China Mice, Singapore Asean, and Vegas the US.'

While Singapore should get some tourists from China, Macau has the advantage of location, analysts reckon. 'It will be critical for the Sentosa IR to focus on attracting the new wealthy middle-class families from India as well, as these are very promising new leisure tourists in Asia,' says Mr Galaviz.

The two IRs here should be unique for at least the first two or three years of operation, but it will be necessary for both to make the reinvestments necessary to stay fresh, compelling, and unique to the greater Asian tourism base, he believes. 'It's important to note that the IRs are just one aspect of a holistic tourism strategy for Singapore over the coming years.'

[RafflesCity]

http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-12-16/BT_5328082_16_12_2006.jpg

[glitz_boy]

Wow kewl! all of them looks so promising :) let's see how they "eat" up the pie ^^

But personally, i think those of Singapore (Marina and Sentosa IR) will be able to overcome Macau Venetian as far as the target market concern..

[JoSin]

We shall see...:yes:

[eighth8]

If the words "Resorts World at Sentosa" are not there. one look at it. I would have thought it was some resort in Malaysia. an indirect marketing for Malaysia's tourism?

[Joshua888]

great project!

[kenexcel4]

If the words "Resorts World at Sentosa" are not there. one look at it. I would have thought it was some resort in Malaysia. an indirect marketing for Malaysia's tourism?

I beg to differ. Thought i'm an avid supporter of 8th wonder, i still find Genting's proposal more resort-like as a whole. The architecture resembles those of Naboo in Star Wars. Come on give them a chance to showcase their ability. As one had mentioned earlier, perhaps they didn't upgrade their flagship resort so as to fund this mega project. The resorts world doesn't seem so o biang though there can be room for improvement. Btw, wad does it got to do wif malaysian's tourism? Does it also mean u won't visit this IR for your entire life. I doubt so. Nevertheless, i hope i can see a caldera in the nearby southern islands. :)

[jason poon]

Excellent project and my best wish to Singapore. As a HK citizen I have to praise what the Singapore Gov't intents and commits for its sustainable development; The project itself, together with Sands Casino Resorts, the development od Marina Bay Area as well as the continuous enhancement on legal and business environment shall make Singapore becomes strong in terms of the economic development in next decade.

What HK happened is entirely different, we don't have a good leader, what D Tsang done is just going to passively maintain his position or his image in Beijing's eyes. We have excellent chance like two virgin lands of Kai Tak and West Kowloon areas, but nothing happen yet!

[eighth8]

I beg to differ. Thought i'm an avid supporter of 8th wonder, i still find Genting's proposal more resort-like as a whole. The architecture resembles those of Naboo in Star Wars. Come on give them a chance to showcase their ability. As one had mentioned earlier, perhaps they didn't upgrade their flagship resort so as to fund this mega project. The resorts world doesn't seem so o biang though there can be room for improvement. Btw, wad does it got to do wif malaysian's tourism? Does it also mean u won't visit this IR for your entire life. I doubt so. Nevertheless, i hope i can see a caldera in the nearby southern islands. :)

i guess you misunderstood my statement. what i meant was. in my opinion, it seems to me genting's bid looks Malaysian-like with all the domes and similar roof shapes. and that just brought me an assumption of it being an icon representing Malaysia in foreign countries after the success of Malaysia's tourism advertisement "Malaysia - truly Asia". i'm not criticising and underlooking genting's IR architecture. im just relenting out my disappointment in not having kerzner's or 8th wonder's ideas in SG, hopefully they can be successful in future developments in southern islands, marina bay etc.:)

[babystan03]

This story was printed from TODAYonline

Genting joint venture to borrow $3.4 billion for Sentosa IR

Wednesday • December 20, 2006

Star Cruises' joint venture with Genting International will borrow $3.38 billion for its integrated resort on Sentosa.

Genting International and sister company Star Cruises, which are both units of Malaysian casino operator Genting, said earlier this month that they would spend $5.2 billion to build Resorts World on a 49-hectare site at Sentosa, after winning the bid for the project.

"The maximum funding commitment of the parties toward the development cost will not exceed $1.82 billion," said Star Cruises in yesterday's statement. The company said the rest of the investment would be funded by debt financing from a third-party lender.

Star Cruises owns 25-per-cent in the venture. Genting owns the remaining stake.

Casino operators are getting loans to expand in Asia, where industry growth is outpacing the rest of the world. Asia's annual gaming revenue will double to US$23 billion ($35.5 billion) by 2010, up from US$11.9 billion last year, according to a June report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Last week, Standard & Poor's said it may cut its rating on Star Cruises' bonds as the operator plans to sell more securities. It rates the Star Cruises' debt BB-, three levels below investment grade. — Agencies

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

[RafflesCity]

New Sentosa road bridge part of Genting's plan for IR

2 Mar 07

Consortium also announces $400m contract to prepare site for construction

A NEW three-lane bridge will link Sentosa to the mainland to ensure smooth traffic to and from the island's integrated resort in 2010.
The new road - which will run parallel to the existing causeway - and a $400 million contract to start prepping the resort site for construction, were announced by Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) yesterday, when it took over the site for the $5.2 billion resort.

RWS, which comprises Malaysia's Genting International and Star Cruises, signed an agreement with Sentosa Development Corporation yesterday for work to begin.

The consortium said it has paid up the $605 million for the 49ha site, and will foot the bill for the bridge, which will cost between $60 million and $80 million.

Mr Tan Hee Teck, RWS' newly appointed chief executive officer, said the bridge was factored into the resort's blueprint in anticipation of the 'manifold increase' in traffic when the resort opens.

By 2015, some 10 million tourists are expected; RWS is now working with the authorities to come up with a more accurate picture of traffic needs through studies and surveys.

Construction of the resort itself will begin with excavation for an underground carpark, which needs to be built before the rest of the resort is built on top of it, said Mr Tan.

Contracts for site surveys have already been awarded, he added.

Meanwhile, RWS has begun its marketing blitz by taking part in local and overseas events such as the recent Asean Tourism Forum.

A principal leadership team has been hired, with the executives coming on board this month and next.

Among them is Singapore Press Holdings' Mr Michael Chin, who will soon leave his position as executive vice-president of the company's corporate development division and Times Properties to head RWS' project management.

Mr Chin, who joined SPH in 1991, played a major role in the successful development of The Paragon and the Sky@Eleven condominium project.

More than 150 jobs will be created in the next six months, mostly in project management, marketing and corporate services.

The net will be cast as far as the United States, where top creative talent for the movie and show-themed attractions will be hired.

Recruitment alerts will be posted on the RWS website at www.resortsworldatsentosa.com, set to debut next week.

Looming in the background amid this buzz is the deal between Star Cruises and Macau gaming tycoon Stanley Ho, which raised considerable alarm here because of Mr Ho's alleged - but unproven - links with Macau's triads.

Neither RWS' CEO Mr Tan nor Genting International managing director Justin Tan would be drawn into discussing this yesterday.

The deal - which could jeopardise RWS' chances of securing its casino licence - would give Mr Ho and a group of investors a stake of up to 6.99 per cent in the cruise firm.

In return, Star Cruises would offer Mr Ho's Sociedad de Jorgos de Macau the franchise to run the casino in a resort it is developing in Macau.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Tuesday that members of the Genting-Star Cruises consortium will have to be screened, and the casino licence is not yet in the bag.

The consortium said it is determined to meet the probity requirements and will apply for the licence when at least half the resort's gross floor area has been completed and half of its development investment spent.

Singapore tourism chief Lim Neo Chian said issues remain to be ironed out between RWS and the MHA, but the project is 'still very much on track'.


By Marcel Lee Pereira

[ndp]

The resorts website offically came online today.

http://www.resortsworldatsentosa.com/

[iahcgnoht]

singapore is so stunning marina bay will be very exiting

[Bumgarner]

..
Resorts world development update

Universal Studio:-
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/6678/dscf1225me5.jpg


http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1600/dscf1221dm1.jpg

ET joins Sentosa IR fun
By Sheralyn Tay, TODAY | Posted: 07 November 2007 1448 hrs

SINGAPORE: Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) has upped its budget from S$5.2 billion to S$5.75 billion - and not just in view of the rising construction costs.

The developer is bumping up its theme park offerings, with two new rides - one a rollercoaster, the other based on the hit movie ET - for its Universal Studios Theme Park. This brings the total number of rides to 24.

There will be four more free multimedia shows, on top of the three already announced such as a laser-and-water show designed by Emmy award winner Jeremy Railton.

These extras, as well as improvements to hotels and infrastructure, will take up half of the S$550 million cost revision. The other half will go to cover the increased construction costs. On top of the S$5.75-billion budget is another S$250 million allotted for contingencies.

A ban by Indonesia on sand exports early this year, coupled with a buoyant property sector, has prompted the Government to release more sand from the national stockpile and diversify its sources.

About two months ago, Las Vegas Sands - which is developing the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort slated to open in 2009 - announced that it was "struggling" to stick to its budget and anticipated up to a 40-per-cent spike in its US$3.6-billion (S$5.5 billion) projection.

Speaking via teleconference from Hong Kong on Tuesday, RWS chief executive Tan Hee Teck said: "With scarce resources, the cost escalation has been higher than anticipated."

Still, according to Mr Michael Chin, senior director of projects, RWS has managed to "lock in" the prices of concrete and structural steel at "very competitive prices". RWS and China's Jingye Construction Engineering Contract Company signed a S$60-million contract in September for 23,000 tonnes of structural steel for work on the resort.

But while such costs have been manageable, Mr Chin noted, labour costs and margins of contractors have risen significantly. Still, Mr Justin Tan, managing director of Genting International, does not anticipate any further changes to the budget or the 2010 date for the soft launch.

"We are on track and in negotiation with contractors who have not indicated any delays to date," he said.

Mr Tan also said he was "very confident" about the growing Asian economy. With a growing middle-income market in China and India, RWS in Singapore will draw them over by being "a very unique and differentiated destination".

Three lots will be left vacant within the theme park to allow for later expansions and additions, he added.

Work on Universal Studios Singapore began last month and another S$1 billion worth of building contracts will be awarded by early next year.

Meanwhile, Genting International has posted a third-quarter loss because of an "impairment" charge, Mr Tan said. The company lost S$393.4 million, or 5.66 cents a share, in the quarter ended 30 Sep, compared with a profit of S$86.9 million, or 1.39 cents, a year earlier, the company said in a statement to the Singapore Exchange.

It expects a full-year loss including the charge, said Mr Tan. - TODAY/ym

[RafflesCity]

Hard Rock Hotel to open at Resorts World Sentosa

8 April 08

HARD Rock Hotel will be opening its doors to guests at Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS), once Singapore's first integrated resort is ready in early 2010.
The world-renowned hotel chain, famous for its commemoration of over 40 years of 'Rock n Roll', is one of six hotels that will be operating at Resorts World.

Hard Rock Hotel, costing more than $340 million to construct, is part of the $6 billion resort development.

The 360-room hotel will feature modern conference facilities and one of Asia's largest column-free ballrooms that hold over 7,000 guests, for concerts, seminars, performances as well as banquets.

Construction on the hotel is expected to kick-off soon, with local contractors Low Keng Huat (Singapore) Limited tasked with the project - the latest in a string of construction contracts totalling more than S$1 billion that have been awarded for the development of RWS.

The Resort, which will also boast a Universal Studios theme park, the world's largest oceanarium and the region's first integrated destination spa, expects to receive some 15 million visitors in its first year.

[Waldenstrom]

this looks great!

[RafflesCity]

Resorts World awards $705m Universal Studios contract to Chinese firm

7 July 08

By Jessica Cheam
WORKS are underway at Singapore's highly-anticipated Universal Studios, which is expected to open its doors to visitors come 2010.

Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) announced on Monday that a $705 million contract for infrastructural work for Universal Studios has been awarded to China Jingye Engineering.

The firm is a unit of one of China's biggest construction conglomerates, the China Metallurgical Corporate Group.

It will be responsible for general building works such as structural buildings, facades, walkways and an amphitheatre, said RWS.

The latest deal follows an earlier one in September last year, when China Jingye clinched a $60 million contract to supply 23,000 tonnes of structural steel to the $6 billion resort development.

An RWS spokesperson said that RWS held a tender exercise and 'chose the most suitable candidate based on suitability to deliver.'

RWS's executive vice president of projects Michael Chin said in a statement that China construction companies have a good track record, building a 'collection of stunning projects' rising in China the last few years.

The firm has the 'experience, a track record for quality and a reputation for completing projects on time,' said Mr Chin.

China Jingye, which has been established in Singapore for the last 12 years, was previously involved in building MRT stations and HDB projects in Singapore.

When it opens, Universal Studios Singapore will feature 24 rides and attractions, 18 of which are unique to Singapore.

RWS said they were 'on track for a soft opening in early 2010.'

It has awarded a total of $2.7 billion worth of building contracts to date.

[mbuildings]

WOW !!!!!..........JUST STUNNING!!!!

[RafflesCity]

Taken on 13 Jul 08 [ taken by ayanami

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/7892/img0089smallst3.jpg[/QUOTE]

[RafflesCity]

Mid August updates

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2791101567_2428d6e505_o.jpg

taken by r@ptor

http://www.jochenhertweck.com/upload/sin_resort1.JPG

[RafflesCity]

Pictures by thethemeparkguy

October 2nd and 3rd:

http://www.thethemeparkguy.com/filestore/themepark/universal-studios-singapore/37/uss1-big.jpg

http://www.thethemeparkguy.com/filestore/themepark/universal-studios-singapore/37/universalsingaporemodel-big.jpg

http://www.thethemeparkguy.com/filestore/themepark/universal-studios-singapore/37/uss5-big.jpg

http://www.thethemeparkguy.com/filestore/themepark/universal-studios-singapore/37/uss2-big.jpg

http://www.thethemeparkguy.com/filestore/themepark/universal-studios-singapore/37/uss21-big.jpg

http://www.thethemeparkguy.com/filestore/themepark/universal-studios-singapore/37/uss20-big.jpg

Photos (C) by:
http://www.thethemeparkguy.com

[stanleymalls]

Oohh....Things here are getting done so quickly. Very good.

[RafflesCity]

Coming: Transformers

21 Oct 08

Sentosa IR will be the first in the world to get the new ride

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20081021/ST1028518101_01_0001.jpg

UNIVERSAL Studios is building a new ride based on the hit movie Transformers, and Resorts World at Sentosa slated to open in 2010 will be the first in the world to get the new ride.

The ride will debut first in Universal Studios Singapore in early 2011 before opening at the flagship Universal Studios Hollywood in summer.

The cost of this ride will be additonal investment from RWS on top of the $6 billion to build the integrated resort.

The attraction, according to Resorts World at Sentosa, 'will fuse 3D-HD media, mega special effects and stunning robotics with a ride system that will transform perceptions of theme park experiences'.

In Transformers, Earth's humans are caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between the friendly Autobots and the evil Decepticons, which are able to change into a variety of objects, including cars, trucks, planes and other technological creations.

Resorts World at Sentosa chief executive officer Tan Hee Teck, said on Tuesday: 'It is great that Asia will be the launch pad for the first Transformers attraction.'

'Transformers was introduced to the United States in 1983 but traces its roots to Asia. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron are familiar names to Asian audiences, who grew up with the robot toys and love the movie.'

'When Transformers opens in Universal Studios Singapore in 2011, it will be the first of its kind in the world. We may see a surge of Transformers mania.''

Mr Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts, said: 'Transformers will be a jewel in our collection of world-class rides based on great movies.'

He said the ride will be built with the help of Hasbro, DreamWorks, director Michael Bay and the film's executive producer, Steven Spielberg, who serves as creative consultant to Universal Parks & Resorts and has worked closely with the company in the creation of some of the world?s most innovative theme park attractions.

Those attractions include Jurassic Park ? the Ride, a featured attraction at UP&R parks in Orlando, Hollywood and Japan, the E.T. Adventure at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Japan, and the War of the Worlds sets at Universal Studios Hollywood.


By Lim Wei Chean
Straits Times

[VRS]

ho3x...thats another reason i always love to spend new year at singapore..
thx for information...

[RafflesCity]

Resorts World at Sentosa starts hiring for Universal Studios

10 Nov 08

SINGAPORE: Resorts World at Sentosa wants to hire 2,300 people for its theme park operations by the second quarter of next year.

Its assistant vice-president for Communications, Robin Goh said the company has started to fill 300 managerial and supervisory positions for the Universal Studio operations here.

The integrated resort will send 100 of them to the Universal Studios in Orlando, US for about four months of training. Mr Goh said some of the 200 managers will spend about two weeks there.

He said this will cost Resorts World at Sentosa about S$5 million and is part of the company's training budget.

This news comes less than a month since Marina Bay Sands Resort announced its massive recruitment drive.

Resorts World at Sentosa confirms it is on track to open in early 2010.

Mr Goh said the integrated resort will also keep its promise of offering 10,000 jobs where Singaporeans will get priority in the hiring. Of the 10,000 jobs, 30 per cent or 3,000 jobs will go to the Universal Studios operations here.

In addition, Resorts World is also working with four polytechnics - Temasek, Ngee Ann, Nanyang and Singapore Polytechnics.

They are planning to send about 100 of the poly students to the Universal Studios in Orlando for internships starting next year. They will spend about four months there.

When the students return home, they may get a job at the Universal Studios in Singapore. - CNA

By May Wong, Channel NewsAsia