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The
Straits Times, 11 Nov 04
Panel
backs idea of resort with casino
By Glenys Sim
Experts stress need to take bold steps to stay ahead in region
A PANEL of experts advising the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has
unanimously backed the plan for an integrated resort here with a casino
and urged bold steps to ensure that Singapore remains a prime tourism
destination in the region.
The 17-member International Advisory Council for Tourism met last
week to discuss tourism trends and strategies to keep Singapore's
tourism offerings competitive with those in the region. The idea of
an integrated resort in Singapore was first thrown up in Parliament
in March. The resort would come complete with hotels, retail outlets
and convention facilities. Council member Ranjit Malkani, chairman
and chief executive of the India and Asia Kuoni Travel Group, said
that to be truly successful, the resort must have world-class facilities.
'It must be visually stunning with signature architecture.'
The Ministry of Trade and Industry said last week that the Government
is currently studying the development of a distinctive world-class
integrated resort which could include a casino component, but no decision
has been made yet. 'We are consulting widely to get views and feedback.
We are also looking into a possible request for proposals. A decision
will be made only after carefully evaluating the various economic,
social and security issues,' it said.
The council, established by STB in 1999, comprises leaders of international
tourism-related organisations. Its members include Mr Rupert Keeley,
Asia-Pacific president and chief executive of Visa International;
Mr Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet; and Mr Adrian Zecha, chairman
of luxury resort chain Amanresorts.
One of the key recommendations was for Singapore to build on its unique
blend of rich cultures and cosmopolitan appeal by positioning itself
as a fashionable city with a wide range of lifestyle offerings. This
is in line with STB's Fun Breaks campaign launched last month, which
aims to sell Singapore as a weekend destination for shopping, food
and entertainment.
Council member Koji Shinmachi, chairman of the Japan Association of
Travel Agents, said: 'There is no Asian city that has an excellent
infrastructure for business and yet has a wonderful resort less than
30 minutes away. 'If Singapore can allocate resources to develop and
market Sentosa overseas...it would have a powerful city-resort combination
as a competitive advantage.'
The council also recommended that Singapore boost its share of Chinese
travellers, particularly the middle and high-end segments, by wooing
them with health-care and education services, cruises and beach resorts.
Another council member, Mr Jiang Jianning, executive director and
chief executive of China CYTS Tours, said: 'Chinese tourists tend
not to visit Singapore more than once. 'To attract repeat visitors
from China, Singapore should leverage on the region's tourism resources,
such as Star Cruises and the beach resorts in Bintan.' Chinese visitors
to Singapore have increased, in part due to the introduction of the
Easy Visa Programme in May, by which residents of 13 cities in China
could get visas within one day instead of the previous three.
Mr Jiang added: 'Singapore should work with Asean neighbours towards
a single-entry visa for the region, as the European Union (EU) has
done.' A pact between the EU and China that came into effect in September
allows Chinese tour groups to visit 27 European nations, excluding
Britain, Ireland and Denmark. They could earlier visit Europe only
on individually arranged holidays, obtaining family or business visas
for selected countries that have 'approved destination status' pacts
with China.
The council also urged the Government to support the growth of low-cost
carriers by having a conducive regulatory and operating environment
in such areas as air traffic rights and competitive cost structure.
In a statement yesterday, the STB said it would review the council's
recommendations.
Ways to stay ahead
Some of the key recommendations of the International Advisory Council
for Tourism:
Build on Singapore's attributes - among them its unusual blend of
rich cultures and cosmopolitan appeal - by positioning itself as a
fashionable city with a wide range of lifestyle offerings.
Continue focus on business travel, meetings, incentives, conventions
and exhibitions; education; and health care, to maximise the country's
intellectual capital.
Commit resources to developing the necessary infrastructure in such
areas as air traffic rights and competitive cost structure, to support
the growth of low-cost airliners; also provide incentives and support,
and work towards a conducive regulatory and operating environment
in Singapore and in the region for this sector.
Grow Singapore's share of tourists from China. For that, the country
should focus on the middle and high-end segments by attracting them
with health-care and education services, cruises and beach resorts.
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