These transport hub plans are very close to the last remaining wild reefs at Serapong shores - among the best near the mainland. Here's what the team saw on our survey of this shore last month.
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Islet-hopping, canopy walks and trams: New developments unveiled for Sentosa and Pulau Brani
Sentosa and Pulau Brani will be linked by the Island Heart Transport Hub, the main arrival point for Greater Sentosa.
Abigail Ng Channel NewsAsia 03 Jul 2026 10:30AM(Updated: 03 Jul 2026 08:30PM)
SINGAPORE: From an islet-hopping experience along 3km of beaches to elevated forest canopy walks, visitors to Sentosa and Pulau Brani can look forward to more leisure and lifestyle experiences as new developments start to open from the early 2030s.
These upcoming attractions form the next chapter of the Greater Sentosa Master Plan, which will unfold over two decades. The blueprint was unveiled by the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) on Friday (Jul 3).
As part of the plan, a new transport hub featuring a tram system will also link the two islands and serve as the gateway to the area, with water taxis being explored as an option, the SDC said.
When completed, the Greater Sentosa area, which comprises Sentosa and the 120-hectare Pulau Brani, is projected to attract around 32 million visitors a year, twice the number Sentosa currently receives.
Calling it Sentosa's "boldest vision yet", Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu said the plan will redefine the area as Singapore's "island playground" and make it "livelier and more exciting than ever before".
She was speaking at the launch of an exhibition at VivoCity on Friday, where the public can view the master plan, explore Sentosa’s history and share their views on what they hope Greater Sentosa will look like. The exhibition will move to Our Tampines Hub, Jurong Point and Waterway Point before returning to Sentosa in October.
Ms Fu said: “Sentosa holds a special place in the hearts of Singaporeans. Many of us have fond memories here – family outings at the beach, school trips, celebrations with loved ones.”
She said while the island has been a getaway for Singaporeans across generations, Sentosa also has to refresh its experiences and strengthen its appeal as tourism demand grows.
“Today, we are not just celebrating what Sentosa is. We are reimagining what it can be for decades to come – an island transformed, connected and sustained,” she said.
The plan to integrate Sentosa and Pulau Brani was first announced by then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 2019 National Day Rally.
As part of the master plan, SDC said on Friday that commuting to the island will be an experience in itself.
The existing Sentosa Express monorail will be replaced by a new "people-mover" system, which SDC said will be a tram system with greater carrying capacity to cater to the anticipated growth in visitor numbers.
By bringing Pulau Brani into the fold, there will be "space to imagine new possibilities and experiences that will strengthen Singapore’s destination appeal," said SDC’s chief executive officer Thien Kwee Eng.
REJUVENATING SENTOSA
New experiences and concepts are being studied for Sentosa’s beaches, including plans to connect islets through a floating boardwalk, said SDC.
The islets were built to dissipate wave energy so that the beaches would not be eroded, and are largely inaccessible to the public at this point.
When completed, visitors will be able to visit these islets for the first time and hop between them along the 3km stretch of Sentosa’s beaches and get up close to the water.
There could be beach clubs built around sunrise and sunset views, or treetop dining to make the beaches more “vibrant and flexible spaces” around the clock.
A beachfront landmark called the Sensorium, which will include indoor attractions and a multipurpose venue for events and festivals, is also in the works.
It will be designed with green spaces to keep the building cool.
Further inland, a new sheltered elevated forest canopy walk, the Imbiah Lookout Walk, is likely to be ready from the early 2030s.
Another landmark in the works is Imbiah Canopy, a vantage point atop Mount Imbiah that will have dining and retail options as well as sheltered event spaces.
Ms Fu said the developments will be "dovetailed" with coastal protection measures, which can take decades to implement.
"Sustainable development does not constrain our ambitions. It is the foundation that makes them possible," she said.
To this end, SDC said it has conducted environmental studies and nature group engagements to integrate the new experiences sensitively with Sentosa’s ridgelines, greenery, coastlines and heritage, and will plan further studies.
SDC added that some businesses on Sentosa will have to close amid the redevelopment and the closures will be timed to coincide with the expiry of leases.
Sufficient notice will be given to those affected, said SDC.
GAME-CHANGING ATTRACTIONS AT BRANI WEST
Over on Brani, SDC said the western part of the island, Brani West, is one of the largest sites earmarked for attractions development.
Engagements with potential partners are underway, supporting the broader ambition of introducing new and refreshed experiences to increase Greater Sentosa’s appeal to locals and tourists.
SDC did not identify the parties that have expressed interest in Brani West, but described the upcoming attractions as “game-changing”.
In 2019, then Prime Minister Lee said Pulau Brani could house an attraction similar to Universal Studios Singapore, as well as a new resort called Downtown South for National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) members.
Pulau Brani is currently occupied by the Brani Port Terminal, but port operations are expected to move to Tuas in 2027.
Apart from these large-scale attractions, the master plan sets out how the various forests across Pulau Brani, Serapong and Imbiah may be linked in the future, and how nature trails could connect to the Southern Ridges on Singapore’s mainland.
Ms Fu said the Greater Sentosa Master Plan is Sentosa’s vision to create a world-class destination that Singaporeans can call their own.
“A place where we can find new adventures, reconnect with nature and create new memories with families and friends,” she said.
SDC’s Ms Thien said the master plan will shape the future of Sentosa while staying true to what visitors have loved about it over the years.
“We want to create the next generation of world-class experiences inspired by our beautiful coastlines, our greenery, our heritage, our sense of escape, as well as a Singapore identity,” she said.
Greater Sentosa Master Plan unveiled; new attractions to be ready from early 2030s
Anjali Raguraman Straits Times Jul 03, 2026, 10:30 AM
SINGAPORE – A sheltered forest canopy walk to the top of Mount Imbiah is among upcoming attractions for Greater Sentosa that will be rolled out from the early 2030s, under a blueprint unveiled on July 3.
The Greater Sentosa Master Plan sets out the various initiatives to transform Sentosa and the 120ha Pulau Brani in Keppel Harbour over the next two decades, including a transport hub that links the two islands and a multi-purpose venue called the Sensorium at Siloso Beach.
Land will be reclaimed for the construction of the Island Heart Transport Hub, which will connect the mainland to Greater Sentosa and serve as the main arrival point for visitors.
Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu said the masterplan is part of Singapore’s push to refresh its experiences and boost its appeal as a destination, as tourism demand continues to grow.
“We are reimagining what (Sentosa) can become for decades ahead – an island transformed, connected and sustained,” said Fu, who is also Minister for Sustainability and the Environment.
Speaking on July 3 at the launch of an exhibition in VivoCity showcasing the masterplan, she added that the project will redefine Greater Sentosa as Singapore’s island playground – bolder, livelier and more exciting than before.
No details are available on how much money is being pumped into the Greater Sentosa project, which is projected to attract twice as many visitors after its completion as Sentosa does now.
More than 16 million visitors visited the island between April 2024 and March 2025.
New attractions and facilities
One major Greater Sentosa project is a new people-mover system that will replace the 2.1km Sentosa Express Monorail. No date was provided for when this will take place.
The new system will be able to carry more people and will be built at-grade, or at ground level, said the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).
It will take visitors seamlessly from the mainland to the Brani transport hub and across Sentosa, SDC added. It will complement existing transport options like the Singapore Cable Car and other modes that are still on the drawing board, such as water taxis.
Apart from upgrades to transport services, the Greater Sentosa project will also feature works to improve beaches and add ecological protection to shorelines.
Fu said the Government is committed to protecting the Singapore coastline.
Singapore, she added, is a low-lying coastal city, and rising sea levels pose an existential threat to the country.
“Coastal protection measures take years – sometimes decades – to plan and deliver, and we must prepare early, invest early and act early,” she said.
Among the steps being taken are site-specific studies for Sentosa, which covers approximately 16km of the coastline.
Fu added that coastal protection measures will go lockstep with the upcoming development plans for Sentosa.
“Sustainable development does not constrain our ambitions. It is the foundation that makes them possible,” she said.
Another highlight, Imbiah Canopy, will be a new vantage point on Mount Imbiah, offering a panoramic view of Brani, Sentosa and the Southern Waterfront.
There are plans to have a dining spot, as well as new attractions and covered event spaces.
Pulau Brani is an industrial area occupied primarily by the Brani Port Terminal, whose operations are scheduled to relocate to Tuas Port by 2027.
Details on who is being engaged for the development of Brani West were not revealed, but potential investors and concept owners have been approached, with SDC saying it “remains very open to all ideas”.
What to expect from the early 2030s
Fu said one of the first projects to open in the early 2030s will be Imbiah Lookout Walk.
The new sheltered and elevated forest canopy walk will link the existing Sensoryscape route, which connects Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) and the beaches, to Imbiah Lookout.
Work to spruce up the beachfront, announced earlier in 2026, will begin with Siloso Beach before moving to Palawan and Tanjong beaches.
The beachfront will feature new lifestyle developments and multi-purpose spaces for day and night activities.
Plans under study include beach clubs to take in sunrise and sunset views, and treetop dining, said SDC.
Coastal protection measures will be put in place, including a floating boardwalk connecting islets – or tiny islands – that were originally built to stave off beach erosion.
RWS’ waterfront lifestyle development is also slated for completion in 2030, alongside Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Singapore.
Sentosa Cove and the two award-winning golf courses, Serapong and Tanjong, will remain untouched.
SDC chief executive Thien Kwee Eng said: “We want to create the next generation of world-class experiences inspired by our beautiful coastlines, our greenery, our heritage, our sense of escape as well as the Singapore identity.
“At the same time, we want to grow Sentosa thoughtfully, and protect the island’s soul, while making it easier to explore, to access and to enjoy.”
With integrated resort RWS shifting from an attraction-led model to an experience-focused destination, its chief executive Lee Shi Ruh noted that the Greater Sentosa Master Plan will improve connectivity, expand visitor flows and strengthen destination-wide programming for the larger precinct.
“A larger and more diverse Greater Sentosa benefits Singapore as a whole by attracting more visitors and broadening tourism offerings,” Lee said.
“As Greater Sentosa takes shape, we see opportunities to work more closely with the Singapore Tourism Board and precinct partners to deliver seamless experiences and strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading leisure, lifestyle and tourism destination.”
The Greater Sentosa Master Plan is part of a broader, ambitious transformation of Singapore’s southern waterfront, which spans about 30km of coastline from Gardens by the Bay East to Pasir Panjang.
This will comprise new residential precincts as well as commercial, recreational and entertainment options.
The developments in Greater Sentosa will also come up in tandem with Changi Terminal 5, which is slated to open around the mid-2030s to serve an expected increase in passenger traffic. In its first phase, T5 will be able to serve about 50 million passengers a year. Changi’s current handling capacity is 90 million passengers a year.
Visitors to the Greater Sentosa Master Plan exhibition can help shape the future layout of the new shorelines and attractions and give their input through interactive elements, including stamping postcards and completing quizzes.
The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will be held at VivoCity from July 3 to 5. It will move to Our Tampines Hub from July 22 to 27, Jurong Point from Aug 19 to 23, Waterway Point from Sept 23 to 27, and then to Sentosa in October.
Sarah Aliya, 21, who was at the VivoCity exhibition on July 3, said she is keen to see the future boardwalk that will connect islets – a part of the beachfront currently not accessible to visitors.
The student, who visits Sentosa about once a month for a picnic on the beach with friends, said: “I would be tempted to go to the beaches more often for the sunsets and stay longer once the beach clubs are developed.”
Others, like a 50-year-old designer who wanted to be known only as Ms Lim, said the artist’s impression of Island Heart looked futuristic, like something out of science fiction film Avatar.
She said: “Hopefully the new people-mover system will be like the monorail in the 1980s that brought us to many stops around the island... Now, with the Sentosa Express, we need to walk a lot.”
Greater Sentosa upgrade to add new coastal trails, hotels and rejuvenated beachfronts
Sarah Stanley Straits Times May 08, 2026, 09:24 AM
SINGAPORE – Visitors to Greater Sentosa can expect more coastal and green walking trails, and a waterfront promenade as the precinct undergoes a major transformation over the next two decades.
The Greater Sentosa Master Plan – which is for Sentosa and Pulau Brani – will also see Sentosa’s beachfronts upgraded to accommodate more event spaces catering to a larger variety of activities.
These and other improvements were unveiled by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu on May 8 at the Tourism Industry Conference 2026 at Resorts World Convention Centre.
Envisaged as Singapore’s “island playground and sanctuary in a global city”, the 120ha Pulau Brani is expected to provide spaces for new hotels, attractions and experiences, while some of its natural elements will be preserved, said Ms Fu.
Once completed, Greater Sentosa is projected to attract about double its current number of visitors. Between April 2024 and March 2025, it received 16.9 million visitors.
Unveiled as the Sentosa-Brani Master Plan in 2019, the rejuvenation project will enter its first phase with the construction of a transport hub linking Sentosa and Pulau Brani in Keppel Harbour. The timing of this phase has yet to be decided.
“We will also add new connections between Greater Sentosa and the mainland, increasing transport capacity and enabling more convenient travel,” said Ms Fu. No further details were provided.
Pulau Brani is an industrial area occupied primarily by the Brani Port Terminal, whose operations are scheduled to relocate to Tuas Port by 2027. A people-mover system between Pulau Brani and mainland Singapore was under study, The Straits Times reported in November 2025.
In the coming months, the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) will launch design consultancy tenders for some of the key components of the master plan.
In early May, SDC published three tenders for multidisciplinary consultancy services on the government procurement portal GeBIZ. The tenders covered the island heart transport hub, the Sentosa people mover system, and the rejuvenation of Siloso and Palawan beaches.
Ms Fu said that exhibitions featuring plans for the Greater Sentosa precinct are being planned for VivoCity and heartland locations across Singapore. The exhibitions are scheduled to take place in July.
Singapore Tourism Board chief executive Melissa Ow said: “Greater Sentosa holds exciting potential for the development of world-class attractions, hotels, food and beverage, outdoor events and festivals in an island setting. The Brani West zone will be one of the largest sites for new attraction development.
“Sentosa is an endearing place to Singaporeans and travellers alike. The Greater Sentosa Master Plan will reinforce its appeal as a must-visit destination.”
While the decades-long master plan is slated to run through 2045, visitors can expect several new and refreshed attractions to open earlier.
These include a flight simulator experience by indoor skydiving brand AltitudeX and SkySlides, a day-to-night thrill ride set to debut in Sentosa.
The latest announcements build on updates given by Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan during the debate on the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s budget on March 2.
Mr Tan said Sentosa’s beaches would undergo rejuvenation works, including strengthened coastal protection measures aimed at improving visitor experience, while safeguarding the coastline against rising sea levels.
Connectivity across the precinct is also set to improve. Mr Tan announced plans to replace the 2.1km Sentosa Express monorail, which links VivoCity shopping complex in HarbourFront to Sentosa via four stations, as part of broader transport upgrades.
He also announced plans for new landmarks such as the Imbiah Canopy, envisaged as a gateway connecting visitors to nature trails and heritage sites.
Speech by Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu at Tourism Industry Conference 2026
MTI website 8 May 2026
1. Good morning. It is my great pleasure to see all of you here at the Tourism Industry Conference 2026.
2. Let me begin by congratulating the industry and STB on achieving a record year of tourism receipts in 2025. We welcomed 16.9 million international visitors who contributed $32.8 billion in tourism receipts.
3. Mainland China, Indonesia and Australia were our top tourism receipts markets, while long-haul markets such as Germany, the UK and the USA recorded double digit year-on-year growth.
4. These results were driven by a strong lineup of events and experiences throughout 2025. We hosted the World Aquatics Championships, the first in Southeast Asia, opened the IMBA Theatre at Gardens by the Bay.
5. On MICE, we have maintained our position as Asia Pacific’s Top Meeting City for 22 consecutive years, based on rankings from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
6. While we continue hosting international events such as the Safety and Security Asia tradeshow, we are also nurturing homegrown MICE events through BEInspiredSG, an incubator programme launched by STB and the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS). This has given rise to promising new events, such as Sgcarmart’s “Beyond Motion” future mobility event.
7. Beyond our shores, the Singapore Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo drew more than 2 million visitors and showcased over 50 local brands and talents to the world.
8. These results affirm our standing as a vibrant and exciting destination on the world stage, providing us with a strong foundation as we look ahead.
TDF5 and T2040
9. Our strong performance in 2025 is encouraging, but we cannot afford to be complacent. There are challenges on the horizon, given the Middle East energy crisis and its knock-on impact on consumer spending. In 2024, we announced that the Government had injected over $300 million into the Tourism Development Fund. To further support our industry, I am pleased to announce that the Government will inject fresh funds of $740 million over the next five years.
10. This funding will support our ambitions under Tourism 2040, charting the next chapter of growth and ensuring that Singapore remains a compelling destination.
11. We aim to elevate Singapore’s position across three areas:
a) A global hub for people, capital and trade;
b) A world-class city and an endearing home; and
c) A home for resilient businesses with strong human capital.
Strengthening Singapore’s position as a vital and trusted hub
12. To fortify Singapore’s position as a vital global hub, we must expand and renew our capacity and connectivity.
13. To enhance maritime connectivity, STB and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore have been jointly studying the development of a new integrated cruise and ferry infrastructure.
a) We are assessing the feasibility of locating the Integrated Cruise and Ferry Terminal at Straits View, adjacent to the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS), as part of the larger Greater Southern Waterfront development.
b) The new terminal could support three cruise berths and up to ten ferry berths, with a passenger capacity approximately that is 1.5 times the existing MBCCS, and twice that of the existing HarbourFront Passenger Terminal respectively. This represents not only a significant increase in international cruise capacity, but also greater regional connectivity.
14. On MICE capacity, I announced last year that we were studying the development of a new MICE hub in the downtown area. The industry has shared with us that a central location, transport accessibility, and proximity to lifestyle experiences are critical success factors for the hub.
a) I am pleased to announce that we have identified the Straits View area, near Marina Bay, as the potential location for the Downtown MICE Hub.
b) The MICE Hub is envisioned as an integrated development, offering MICE facilities, accommodation, dining and retail, entertainment, and attractions. Its proximity to the potential new cruise terminal will also create exciting new possibilities.
c) The development will complement other MICE venues in the city, such as:
i. Raffles City, Suntec City, and Marina Bay Sands,
ii. all within a 3km radius,
iii. creating a vibrant MICE cluster that blends work and play, encouraging more ‘B-leisure’ travellers to extend their stay.
d) The MICE Hub will allow us to host more and bigger events downtown, and to run complementary ones concurrently at other city centre venues. Delegates can then enjoy the wide variety of leisure offerings, accessible via three MRT lines at Marina Bay station, including the upcoming Therme Singapore and Wetlands by the Bay expansion.
e) Let me share this exciting vision with a video.
f) Are you excited about it? I am. But it is not complete. We are still waiting for some of your ideas to beef up this video. I am confident that this world-class venue will strengthen our position as a leading MICE destination and help us realise our ambition to triple MICE Tourism Receipts by 2040.
15. Beyond infrastructure, our MICE portfolio will grow through strategic industry partnerships:
a) STB has established a 2-year partnership with the Academy of Medicine Singapore, creating opportunities to host more best-in-class conferences that serve the medical community’s professional development, reinforcing our position as a global medical events hub.
b) I am also pleased to announce that 22 hotels have come together to launch the Singapore Hotels Incentives for Business Events (SHINE) initiative. Covering 25% of Singapore’s hotel room stock, SHINE offers attractive accommodation packages to meeting organisers, enhancing our competitiveness for larger MICE bids.
16. We continue to attract a strong pipeline of MICE events, including the inaugural Global Connect Singapore, the first overseas edition of China’s premier conference 白鲸出海.
17. We will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in January 2027 to promote tourism growth in ASEAN and facilitate conversations on regional tourism topics, such as cruise tourism, sustainable tourism and digitalisation. As Chairman of ASEAN in 2027, Singapore will host over 250 ASEAN meetings of varying scales.
Building a World-Class City and Endearing Home
18. Second, building a world-class city and endearing home. We must continue to rejuvenate our cityscape with refreshed products and experiences that reflect Singapore’s unique character.
19. Let me highlight some key developments in our iconic tourism precincts: Sentosa, Mandai and Orchard Road.
20. The Greater Sentosa Master Plan – comprising Sentosa and Pulau Brani – will be developed over the next two decades into a world-class tourism destination. Envisioned as Singapore’s 'Island Playground and Sanctuary in a Global City’, Pulau Brani, spanning 120 hectares, is expected to unlock spaces for new hotels, attractions and experiences, while preserving the island’s natural elements. Upon completion, Greater Sentosa is projected to attract twice as many visitors than it does today. Again, let us have a look at the video.
21. Thank you, Sentosa. Our well-loved beachfronts will be rejuvenated, making way for more event spaces that cater to a variety of activities. We expect to increase the number of green walking trails, coastal trails and waterfront promenade, benefitting both tourists and locals alike.
22. We will also add new connections between Greater Sentosa and the mainland, increasing transport capacity and enabling more convenient travel.
23. We will hold exhibitions to showcase the possibilities in the Greater Sentosa precinct, at VivoCity and other locations in the heartlands. I invite our partners to join us in reimagining the future of tourism, leisure and recreation in Greater Sentosa.
24. Up north, we will be celebrating the completion of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve with the opening of Phase 2 of Asia’s first adventure-based zoological park, Rainforest Wild Adventure East, on 29 May.
25. In the heart of the city, the Orchard Road Rejuvenation Plan is well underway. We envision Orchard Road to be an iconic lifestyle destination for all – enlivened by vibrant activations, concepts and experiences set within a city garden.
a) To create differentiated experiences and drive visitorship, STB will launch the Orchard Road Rejuvenation Initiative. This supports enhancements to building facades, new experiential concepts and artwork installations, and night-time programming to bring vibrancy to the area and redefine visitors’ experiences. ION Orchard’s 3D Grand Facade Screen, which features a reinterpretation of familiar landmarks, offers a taste of what is possible.
b) I encourage Orchard Road stakeholders to come forward with bold and innovative proposals.
c) We will introduce ready-to-use pop-up spaces featuring a rotation of quality brands along the Orchard Road pedestrian mall. New-to-market brands, novel concepts, and promising local brands can plug and play through this cost-effective platform to test the market or build their brand presence on Orchard Road.
d) STB will be calling a tender for the design, build and management of these pop-up spaces.
e) Lastly, art and culture will take centre stage within Tanglin, anchored by the upcoming redevelopment of Tanglin Shopping Centre into a mixed-use development comprising retail, office, wellness and cultural uses.
26. Turning to events, we continue to make great strides in global entertainment, affirming Singapore as a destination for exciting events. In 2027, Singapore will host D23 Asia: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, in partnership with The Walt Disney Company – marking the first time this flagship event comes to Southeast Asia.
27. Disney fans can look forward to exclusive first access to the latest in Disney storytelling, creativity, and innovation, as well as appearances of top stars and storytellers from Hollywood and around the world, uniting global communities through shared fandom, retail, and immersive experiences.
Developing Strong Businesses and Investing in Human Capital
28. Third, developing strong businesses and investing in human capital, making Singapore a resilient business hub for tourism. We remain committed to supporting businesses’ growth and investments in digital transformation and capability development.
29. To this end, STB has worked with IMDA over the past year to develop and refresh the Industry Digital Plans for the Travel Agents, MICE and Hotel industries. These plans guide businesses on digitalisation and technology solutions that can enhance the visitor experience and improve the workforce productivity. In the second half of this year, STB will be able to provide more streamlined funding support to tourism stakeholders for some of these pre-approved solutions, under Enterprise Singapore’s EDGE grant.
30. For instance, hotels will be able to adopt solutions such as a digital concierge that automates routine operations, improving both service efficiency and the guest experience.
31. STB will also be leading a review of the Attractions industry technology roadmap by early 2027.
32. To continue building a future-ready tourism workforce,
a) The Training Industry Professionals in Tourism Scheme (TIP-iT) has been broadened to fund stretch job assignments. This encourages companies to develop in-house leadership programmes customised to their needs – for building organisational resilience to navigate uncertain times.
b) To better support our companies, TIP-iT will also fund customised in-house skills training for rank-and-file workers, including Work Permit Holders, helping them to better meet the rising expectations of today’s visitors.
Middle East Crisis and Support Measures
33. While geopolitical events have resulted in supply chain disruptions and rising fuel costs, challenges also present opportunities for us to sharpen our value proposition and competitiveness. STB will work closely with the industry to emerge stronger from these headwinds.
34. To sustain visitor demand in this challenging environment,
a) STB is expanding over 20 key trade partnerships across our top 10 source markets to capture greater consideration from potential visitors and accelerate bookings. This will see more than $20 million in total investments from STB and in-market partners.
b) STB is also supporting the Association of Singapore Attractions (ASA) in launching targeted marketing campaigns to drive visitorship to our attractions.
35. The Tourism Development Fund, that I spoke about earlier, will support initiatives to help our industry capture opportunities and navigate near-term challenges.
a) We are allocating $5 million to our Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) Grant to expand support for businesses undertaking marketing activities aimed at building attendance.
b) Second, we are introducing a new $5 million Market Access Fund, to help businesses grow their presence in new markets, by reducing the financial risks of expansion.
36. Even as we drive demand and diversify source markets, our products must remain compelling.
a) We will extend the Hotel Rejuvenation Fund by one year. Since its launch last year, 13 hotels have embarked on rejuvenation efforts including solutions that improve energy efficiency and enhance operational efficiency. One example is PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, which has integrated AI solutions – including an AI-powered inventory management system with automated guided vehicles – a first for a hotel in Singapore, increasing its storage capacity by over 200%.
b) We have also broadened the scope of STB’s Kickstart Fund. In addition to new and innovative event pilots, the fund will now support up to $1 million for new product pilots – giving businesses more opportunities to innovate and bring to life unique concepts with strong tourism appeal for high value visitors.
Conclusion
37. As I conclude, let me reaffirm the importance of tourism in contributing to Singapore’s global presence. After many years of toiling, we are now a premier global destination, consistently ranked among the world’s best for our unique blend of futuristic innovation and multicultural heritage. Along with our world class airline and airport, our hospitality industry has been the gateway to the culture and soul of Singapore. We are a top 10 city destination in the world, and many of our attractions like our Gardens by the Bay was ranked highly. And Gardens by the Bay specifically was ranked third-best attraction in the world. Congratulations Gardens by the Bay! Collectively, the industry, hotels and hospitality, MICE, attractions, and all of you in this room, has put Singapore on the world’s podium. And we are grateful for your good work, and thank you very much for supporting this industry.
38. The road ahead will not be without challenges, but I am confident that through the collective efforts of the government, industry and community, we will continue discovering fresh ways to tell the Singapore story together. We have been through hard times and we will get through this again, emerging better and stronger.
39. I look forward to journeying with you in the next chapter of tourism in Singapore. Let’s go ahead towards Tourism 2040. Thank you very much.
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