SINGAPORE : More than five million people visited Sentosa in the
past year - a record high in the island's 33-year history.
Five-year-old Dynes Quek literally left his mark on Sentosa when he
visited the island on Good Friday with his family.
As the fifth millionth visitor, he had his palm print and his name
immortalised in the annals of Sentosa's history.
The little boy also planted his own tree on the island.
Dynes said, "It's nice! I'd like to come back tomorrow...to see the
tree!"
Dynes' mother, Mrs Jenna Quek, said, "Probably he will come with
his girlfriend, to see the plant he planted today. It's a very
unusual occasion for us."
Sentosa Leisure Group said it was on track with its 10-year
redevelopment plan, to draw more visitors to the island.
Mr Darrell Metzger, CEO, Sentosa Leisure Group, said, "Next year
and the year after that, I see steady growth. I see us going right
along with the overall tourism growth and we penetrate about 25
percent of all the tourists coming to Singapore, and I think we
will continue to do that."
The government is expected to announce its decision on whether to
proceed with the integrated resort in Parliament on April 18.
Sentosa said its growth would not be derailed if it loses out to
Marina Bay as the integrated resort site.
Mr Metzger said, "Even before the concept of an integrated resort
was even mentioned, we were seriously negotiating with two
potential theme park developers, and that was our original plan.
And that's what we will revert to."
With the opening of a 630-lot carpark on April 1, more visitors can
be expected.
Sentosa said for an escalated growth in visitorship, it would need
all its basic infrastructure in place, like the LRT, which is
scheduled to be completed by the end of 2006. - CNA