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The Straits Times 10 Dec 06 S'poreans excited by prospect of Universal Studios Fun rides, 3-D films and high-tech effects are trademark of world-class park By Melissa Sim Channel NewsAsia 9 Dec 06 Singaporeans eagerly anticipate Resorts World at Sentosa to open in 2010 By Dominique Loh SINGAPORE: A day after Genting International won the Sentosa integrated resort project, many Singaporeans are saying they cannot wait for Resorts World to open. Weekend shoppers will have more to do in 2010 than just hit the mall at VivoCity when Resorts World welcomes holidaymakers. And it seems the arrival of Universal Studios Singapore is creating a huge buzz as most are excited that the theme park will be within reach and highly accessible. The facade of Sentosa will change in four years' time and retailers at VivoCity are positive about the development, saying the close proximity will have a definite spillover effect on their business. Some businesses have modest expectations that sales will jump by 20 percent. Others are confident it will soar as much as 50 percent. Danny Tan, Shop Manager of Football Club of Barcelona, says: "It will help us not only to bring in crowd, business will still grow." "Sentosa is just opposite... maybe they want to get any nearest place to shop. They can take a few minutes over here for shopping and go back to Sentosa again," says Chocolat Factory manager, Kimmy Phia. Vera Wong, Store Manager of Desigual, says: "I'm very positive about it. Because of the influx of tourists, there will be more spending power around here." Retailers at VivoCity are spot-on about the draw of the integrated resort. Speaking to reporters at a community event, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng says Genting won the bid because of its tourism appeal. "The committee chaired by Professor Jayakumar and my other Ministerial colleagues have got certain criteria to determine which are the proposals that will be given the award for the second integrated resort. The most important part, with most weight, is tourism appeal," said the Deputy Prime Minister. Together with Marina Bay Sands, the government has forecast that the two integrated resorts will contribute S$2.7 billion to Singapore's GDP. - CNA/so The Straits Times 10 Dec 06 S'poreans excited by prospect of Universal Studios Fun rides, 3-D films and high-tech effects are trademark of world-class park By Melissa Sim GENTING'S win means that Singapore will finally get a world-class theme park - by Universal Studios no less. Singaporeans who have visited the Universal parks in in the United States say the rides stand out for their interactive nature and appeal to both the young and old. This family-friendly attraction no doubt helped Genting International clinch the bid for the Sentosa integrated resort on Friday. Bigger than the one in Hollywood and comparable to the flagship park in Orlando, the Universal Studios park here will boast 22 attractions, 16 of which will be specially designed for Singapore. And it will be the only one of its kind in the region, since Genting has secured a 30-year exclusive deal with Universal Studios covering South-east Asia. Singapore Management University student Yuan Wen Yun, 24, who visited the park in Orlando last year said the rides were interactive and made him feel like he was in the thick of the action. Others think the movie themes will appeal to Singaporeans. 'It's a great fit since most Singaporeans are movie buffs,' said planning executive Dorothy Lee, 26, who was in Orlando six years ago. Co-director of an events company Hefferich Tan, 47, enjoyed himself so much in Orlando that he went twice. 'The kids had fun,' he said of the second trip last year. 'But the rides also appeal to adults because the technology is very sophisticated.' For example, the Shrek 4-D attraction features an original 3-D film with an extra dimension of special effects. Air is blown at the audience to create an illusion of wind and water is sprayed at appropriate moments in the film. Such attractions are bound to give Hong Kong's Disneyland a run for its money. Both Mr Tan and Mr Yuan said they preferred the Universal park in Orlando over the city's Disneyland. Said Mr Yuan: 'Disneyland is just nostalgic, Universal is more exciting.' But personal banker Crystal Goh, 23, who has been to Universal Studios Hollywood, has a few reservations about the park here. 'Having 16 new rides sounds great, but are they all good? Will we be sacrificing quality for quantity?' Some also had concerns about possibly high admission charges at the Universal park on Sentosa. At Universal Studios Hollywood, prices start from about US$49 (S$76) and at Universal Studios Florida, prices for adults start from US$49.95. Said Ms Lee: 'I understand it will not be cheap, but it should not be more expensive than in the US.' The charges for the park here have not been finalised. These concerns, however, failed to dampen the excitement of Singaporeans.. Said magazine writer Camilla Chiam, 30, who visited the Universal park in Hollywood: 'I am excited that we can have such world-class entertainment in our own backyard.' Additional reporting by Vincent Leow links
Related articles on Southern Islands Development Plans including the Sentosa IR Earlier media articles about Genting's plans About Dolphin Quest and dolphins in captivity Articles about large marine fish and mammals in oceanariums Earlier responses: letters, blog posts More about dolphins |
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