Six new precincts among plans to enhance Sentosa’s appeal

SINGAPORE — Sentosa is calling for ideas to boost its appeal to visitors and its plans include creating six precincts, which will have distinct offerings that cater for different groups, out of its existing clusters.

For example, the Palawan Beach precinct will be dedicated to family-centric activities, while the Siloso Beach stretch will feature “thrilling and adventurous recreational activities for the young and energetic”.

The Imbiah Lookout precinct will feature nature and heritage, and the Fort Siloso and Siloso Point area, which includes the preserved coastal fort and the Underwater World Singapore attractions, will offer visitors a “learning journey”.

The two other precincts singled out for enhancement are the North-South Link cluster, which connects Resorts World Sentosa and the beaches, and the Tanjong Beach area.

The planning directives for each of the precincts were detailed in an Expression of Interest document (EOI) Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) posted last month on the government procurement website GeBIZ, which was first reported in Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao yesterday.

SDC divisional director for property Benjamin Chia said the company is seeking consultancy services to “map its near- and mid-term development plans for the different precincts”.

“The outcome of the consultation process would be a suite of localised development projects within these precincts for SDC to evaluate and decide on whether to embark on,” Mr Chia added.

Other plans include a “well-choreographed and comfortable” walking experience along the North-South link precinct. The consultant will also need to come up with proposals to enhance connectivity on the island, between the precincts as well as within them “to entice guests to walk and enjoy the island”.

The project will be carried out in three phases and a different firm will be appointed as the consultant for each phase. Subsequently, these firms may form strategic partnerships with SDC to support precinct-planning over the next five years.

Submissions will be evaluated based on a firm’s financial standing, resources and expertise, as well as track record. The EOI closes today and shortlisted firms will be called to tender their proposals after evaluation.

Sentosa has surpassed the 20-million mark in terms of annual visitors, its latest figures showed.

Between April 1, 2012, and March 31 last year, a total of 20.5 million people visited the island. New attractions include a new night show called Wings of Time, which debuted at Siloso Beach in June.

Other offerings in the pipeline include Singapore’s first Madame Tussauds wax museum, which is slated to open later this year. Next year, visitors can look forward to KidZania, an indoor theme park for children, and the world’s first double swing bungy.