SPEECH BY MR S ISWARAN, MINISTER, PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE, SECOND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND TRADE & INDUSTRY AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE SINGAPORE CABLE CAR SKY NETWORK ON TUESDAY, 14 JULY 2015, 7:10PM, SILOSO POINT STATION, SENTOSA
Your Excellency, Dr Andreas Karabaczek, Ambassador of Austria to Singapore
Mrs Diana Ee-Tan, Chairman, Mount Faber Leisure Group
Mr Mike Barclay, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Introduction
Good evening. I am pleased to join you today at the official launch of the Singapore Cable Car Sky Network.
The Singapore Cable Car has been one of the main and iconic modes of transport into Sentosa for the past 40 years. It has brought millions of guests from Mount Faber, across the harbour, to Sentosa. In fact, I understand that the Singapore Cable Car will welcome its 50 millionth guest this year. As Diana said earlier, the Cable Car has a special place in the hearts of many Singaporeans.
It is therefore most timely that we are launching the new Singapore Cable Car Sky Network and building on this national icon by providing everyone a new Singapore experience this year. This is a fitting celebration of our nation’s 50 years of independence.
Sentosa has seen significant transformation over the last five years, with the addition of an integrated resort as well as many other new or refreshed attractions, events and leisure offerings. Some of these include the Wings of Time show and Madame Tussauds Singapore, which were opened last year.
These developments have led to a strong growth in the number of visitors to Sentosa, with some 20 million guests being welcomed annually.
While it is encouraging to see good growth for Sentosa amid an increasingly competitive tourism landscape, we need to continue with our efforts to refresh and rejuvenate our offerings in line with market needs and demands.
The Singapore Tourism Board and industry stakeholders have been collaborating in such efforts to boost our tourism arrivals in recent months. For example, in April, STB and the Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced a $35 mil partnership to boost awareness and drive visitorship to Singapore. In May, STB and more than 40 tourism stakeholders announced a $20 mil Golden Jubilee campaign to reach out to key markets. In June, Singapore Airlines, CAG and STB agreed to a two-year partnership where they would jointly invest $20 mil to enhance the experience of tourists coming to and through Singapore. In terms of hardware, we also saw the opening of the Singapore Pinacotheque de Paris in May.
In the same spirit, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) is continually seeking ways to renew and refresh Sentosa’s offerings, as well as enhance the island’s infrastructure to create better experiences for its guests.
The new Sentosa cable car line will augment these efforts by improving accessibility within the island. It complements the existing transportation services such as the Sentosa Express, buses and trams. Visitors can now easily make their way to the western end of Sentosa and have better access to hotels such as Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa, as well as other attractions that are located in the area. Visitors can also get around the island to explore and discover the many leisure offerings that are available for their enjoyment.
Among them is Siloso Point, where we are now. This is one of the three stops on the Sentosa Line, where visitors can appreciate the history and heritage of Singapore at Fort Siloso, a well-preserved coastal fort with an extensive collection of World War II memorabilia. I am happy to announce that from tomorrow (15 Jul), the grounds of Fort Siloso will be opened to the public for free. Together with the increased accessibility from the Sentosa Line, this will enable more locals and tourists to explore and learn about this important facet of Singapore’s history.
Another new addition which SDC has put in place here is an aerial walking trail for nature lovers that leads into Fort Siloso. Known as the Fort Siloso Skywalk, guests will be able to walk above a canopy of verdant treetops and learn about the 25 species of flora that are native to Sentosa. Guests can also look out for the island’s many resident creatures, such as the white-bellied fishing eagle, plantain squirrel and pink-necked pigeon. This free trail will open to the public tomorrow (15 Jul).
Conclusion
Sentosa has always been a favourite spot for Singaporeans to spend an enjoyable day out with family and friends. It is important that this vibrant island resort remains a fun and interesting recreational space for all of us. I am pleased that Sentosa will be bringing Singaporeans more exciting activities during the Jubilee Weekend, including complimentary entry to some of its attractions. I urge all Singaporeans to seize this golden opportunity to visit Sentosa, be it to try out the new cable car line or experience the new Fort Siloso Skywalk.
Let me end by congratulating SDC and the Mount Faber Leisure Group on your successful launch of the Sentosa line. The new Singapore Cable Car Sky Network will not only enhance the visitor experience but also add greater value to Sentosa’s partners in the industry.
Thank you.