destination reports: singapore: New developments
New developments
In order to be able to meet its tourism targets of 17 million arrivals by 2010, Singapore’s tourism industry is investing heavily in building up its hardware. Slated to open in early 2010, Marina Bay Sands will boost Singapore’s meeting capability by more than 120,000 square metres, including a grand ballroom of more than 8,000 square metres that can hold at least 6,600 people and which will be one of the largest in Asia; an exhibition hall which can accommodate approximately 2,000 exhibition booths; and a flexible convention centre comprising more than 200 meeting rooms with capacity for over 45,000 delegates.
Resorts World at Sentosa will position Singapore as a fun and exciting family and incentive travel destination when it opens later this year. Meeting and incentive facilities will have the ability to host approximately 12,000 delegates in three key venues: Le Vie Showroom/Plenary Hall (1,600 theatre-style seating), Grand Ballroom (7,300 theatre-style seating) and 26 meeting rooms that can accommodate a total of 3,250 seats.
For incentive travel groups, there are several indoor venues within Resorts World, such as Hollywood Theatre, Movie Studios and WaterWorld Amphitheatre. There are also more than 10 outdoor incentive venues, which include The ShowPlace, The Bull Ring and FestiveWalk.
These venues can be customised for corporate meetings, company retreats or incentive travel groups, where organisers can throw a theme party among the dinosaurs in The Lost World at Universal Studios Singapore; hold a product launch with stuntmen and special effects in WaterWorld; or have a dinner among the oceanarium’s marine creatures. VIPs can be invited to swim with dolphins, or indulge in the ultimate spa pampering. Celebrity chefs can also whip up exclusive meals for events, and organisers can throw themed parties at the Coliseum of the Hard Rock Hotel.
Other inventive developments in the pipeline that will provide facilities for meetings and events include the Gardens by the Bay, a US$700 million, 94-hectare green oasis in the heart of Singapore’s central business district, reinforcing Singapore’s tropical garden city reputation.
