SINGAPORE: Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) said it
targets to bring in 16 million visitors next
year.
The integrated resort also announced that its second
anchor attraction - the Marine Life Park - will open days ahead of
RWS' official opening on December 7.
The exact date of the park's opening was not given
to the media.
The Marine Life Park will be the world's largest oceanarium and
will house more than 100,000 marine animals.
These include 25 dolphins, which will be part of the park's
interactive programme that starts next year.
The dolphins were the subject of controversy last year, with some
animal welfare groups calling for them to be freed.
In response to critics, Mr Biswajit Guha, director of Education and
Conservation at the Marine Life Park, said: "The dolphins are doing
very well, 25 of them (are) in the Philippines. I don't have any
firmed up dates yet to share with you at this stage about when
they'll be arriving.
"Essentially, all of the standards meet and in fact exceed the
guidelines set by the American Zoos and Aquariums Association, as
well as the Alliance for Marine Mammals Parks and Aquariums. In
that respect, we're fully confident that the dolphins will receive
the best care possible."
Mr Guha added the Marine Life Park is open to continue working with
non-government organisations (NGOs) and other agencies that focus
on marine education and conservation.
He said they welcome the opportunity to collaborate on such
issues.
RWS first opened to the public in 2010 and has attracted some 30
million visitors since then.
It is hoped the new attraction will also encourage more to extend
their stay at the resort.
Mr Greg Allan, vice president, Rooms and F&B, Resorts World
Sentosa, said: "We hope they'll stay an additional night. We feel
that the Marine Life Park will add significantly to the options
available to families visiting. We are very much a family resort,
and this is an experience that all age groups can come and enjoy
together."
Visitors can also expect a weekend of festivities during the grand
opening.
The highlights of the grand opening include public performances and
a 12-minute public fireworks display at the RWS waterfront
promenade.
- CNA/cc