Sentosa to get new walkway, attraction, more night events

SINGAPORE — Plans are underway to rebrand Sentosa Island as more than a day destination — for one thing, they are going to offer extra night programmes. 

In the near-term, projects are ongoing to refurbish the Merlion Gateway Precinct and build an elevated walkway to accommodate more human traffic there, by 2021. 

Sometime down the road, an adventure attraction sited at Imbiah Hill will also be launched. 

The management is toying with the idea as well of attracting visitors who comprise “active agers” to the island.

During a media briefing on the island’s upcoming plans yesterday, 

Mr Quek Swee Kuan, chief executive officer of Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), spoke about his wish for Sentosa to be a day-to-night destination. 

He noted that visitors stay on after sunset for the Wings of Time multimedia show or to patronise the drinking places, but there is room to get them to stay for other reasons. 

“Singapore still has scope for evening experiences beyond the usual Night Safari and Gardens by the Bay. (Sentosa) can create an island-resort type of experience,” Mr Quek said.

Over the past few months, the management has been experimenting with night programmes. For instance, in March, there were movie screenings by the beach at Palawan Green, tours around Fort Siloso, and a one-time zipline ride at night. 

Feedback has been positive, and the night-time movie screenings will be back for a second run this month, its chief marketing officer Lynette Ang said. 

To support these operations, SDC would need to ensure the transportation networks are in place and available, she acknowledged. 

The focus has been on trying to do more for activities at night. 

“When we have more solid offerings ... we’ll work strategically with tour agencies in future,” Ms Ang said. 

“As we strive to bring in more footfall, partners will also see that when they open at night, they also get business as well.” 

In 2015, there were 19.5 million visitors to Sentosa. Last year’s visitorship figures will only be made public in September. 

Separately, Mr Quek said there has been interest in the site that was previously occupied by Underwater World Singapore, and talks have been ongoing with prospective investors. 

The aquarium was closed last June and SDC will be calling for an expression of interest (tender) later this year for the redevelopment of the site. 

On the plans to transform Sentosa into a day-to-night destination, tourism experts who spoke to TODAY are of the view that it would be a challenge to draw the crowds to Sentosa after nightfall. 

Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s senior tourism lecturer Michael Chiam said: “People may not be aware of the night activities. If they want to have night activities, it has to be consistent, rather than on some weekends when you have them, and on some weekends, you don’t.”

He also noted that Singaporeans tend to steer clear of late-night activities, unless they fall on a weekend or eve of a public holiday. 

Nanyang Polytechnic’s senior lecturer Kevin Wee said that Sentosa would need to offer more interesting attractions at night to pull in visitors. 

Mr Wee, who teaches the hospitality and tourism diploma course, added: “People might say, ‘What is Sentosa compared to the other options I have’? 

“Even malls have free film screenings at night, and that’s supported by other stuff.”