 Singaporeans eagerly anticipate Resorts World at Sentosa to open in 2010
SINGAPORE: A day after Genting International won the Sentosa integrated resort project, many Singaporeans are saying they cannot wait for Resorts World to open.
Weekend shoppers will have more to do in 2010 than just hit the mall at VivoCity when Resorts World welcomes holidaymakers.
And it seems the arrival of Universal Studios Singapore is creating a huge buzz as most are excited that the theme park will be within reach and highly accessible.
The facade of Sentosa will change in four years' time and retailers at VivoCity are positive about the development, saying the close proximity will have a definite spillover effect on their business.
Some businesses have modest expectations that sales will jump by 20 percent.
Others are confident it will soar as much as 50 percent.
Danny Tan, Shop Manager of Football Club of Barcelona, says: "It will help us not only to bring in crowd, business will still grow."
"Sentosa is just opposite... maybe they want to get any nearest place to shop. They can take a few minutes over here for shopping and go back to Sentosa again," says Chocolat Factory manager, Kimmy Phia.
Vera Wong, Store Manager of Desigual, says: "I'm very positive about it. Because of the influx of tourists, there will be more spending power around here."
Retailers at VivoCity are spot-on about the draw of the integrated resort.
Speaking to reporters at a community event, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng says Genting won the bid because of its tourism appeal.
"The committee chaired by Professor Jayakumar and my other Ministerial colleagues have got certain criteria to determine which are the proposals that will be given the award for the second integrated resort. The most important part, with most weight, is tourism appeal," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Together with Marina Bay Sands, the government has forecast that the two integrated resorts will contribute S$2.7 billion to Singapore's GDP. | 
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