It also recommends giving incentives to help low-cost air carriers grow
A 17-member advisory council to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), which held a two-day meeting here last week, has ‘unanimously supported’ the development of an integrated casino facility, the STB said in a statement yesterday. ‘The members of the International Advisory Council for Tourism (IACT) unanimously supported the development of an integrated resort housing facilities for gaming, conventions, entertainment, luxury hotel, F&B and retail outlets,’ the STB said.
The IACT, which was established by the STB in 1999 to advise the board on strategic issues pertaining to the long-term development of Singapore’s tourism industry, comprises prominent leaders of international tourism organisations.
Chairman and chief executive of India and Asia Kuoni Travel Group Ranjit Malkani, a member of the council, said that an integrated casino resort was an ‘attractive idea’, but had to be a significant investment project that ‘boasts world-class facilities’ for it to be ‘truly successful’.
‘It must be visually stunning with signature architecture. Overall, it must not be easily replicated.’
Jiang Jianning, executive director and chief executive of China CYTS Tours Holding, said that such a resort would be ‘appealing’ to Chinese visitors, and would help to boost Singapore’s Chinese visitorship.
The IACT also recommends that Singapore channel resources to develop the necessary infrastructure and provide incentives to support the growth of the low-cost carriers (LCCs).
This would include working towards a conducive regulatory and operating environment for LCCs in areas like air traffic rights and competitive cost structure.
The council also said that Singapore should build on its favourable attributes, such as its unique blend of rich cultures and cosmopolitan appeal, by positioning itself as a fashionable city with a wide range of lifestyle offerings.
The STB said that it would review the key recommendations made by the IACT.
