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Channel
NewsAsia, 15 Apr 04
Singapore can be gateway to the region's
marine leisure activities: consultant
By Frederick Lim
Marine recreation consultant Spinnaker International says Singapore
is doing the right thing by building up its marina infrastructure
to cater to boating and other marine leisure activities here. This
is because of Singapore's strength as a gateway for such activities
in the region and it is also timely as the industry now on the upswing.
Boating is an activity without borders - sailors can go anywhere.
But increasingly they have been choosing to sail in South East Asia,
as well as to do their diving and fishing here.
One reason is that Europe has become saturated with boats and berthing
costs have become exorbitant. As a result, boat charter companies
like Sunsail are seeing a surge in the number of boating enthusiasts
coming to the region for sailing holidays.
Y P Loke, Managing Director, Spinnaker International, said: "In South
East Asia, the playground is in Malaysia, Indonesia - the 17,000 islands
in Indonesia - the 7,000 islands in the Philippines. Singapore itself
is a big port. The strength we have in Singapore is that we are a
gateway. Boats come in and out of Singapore. We have the airport,
telecoms facilities - we have good repair facilities - so I think
that's our role."
Meanwhile richer boating enthusiasts, both foreign and local, are
choosing to buy boats and berth them here. And that calls for for
more marina facilities. Countries in the region are gearing up for
this growth in recreational boating. Malaysia for instance is planning
as many as 21 marinas along its coasts.
Singapore is also getting into the act. Bernard Kong, Chief Executive,
Sentosa Cove, said: "Sentosa Cove is part and parcel of a hub that's
being developed with Sentosa Island and the HarbourFront, the World
Trade Centre and the new developments in the Southern Islands." Sentosa
Cove has said that at least 500 homes with private jetties are coming
up as part of the Sentosa Cove development.
More details are expected to be announced on Friday. |
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