Orchard Road hotels and retailers say IR will bring in
more business for them
Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, February 18
SINGAPORE: Over the Lunar New Year holidays, Singapore’s first
casino and Universal Studios theme park at Resorts World Sentosa
garnered all the attention.
But some are wondering if the focus on roulette tables and
roller coaster rides will cause the mainland’s central shopping
belt along Orchard Road to lose its glitter.
Singapore’s first casino and Universal Studios theme park opened
over the weekend creating a buzz, not just here, but in the region
as well.
With Singaporeans and tourists expected to throng the
attractions — the question is — what will happen to the country’s
premier shopping belt, Orchard Road?
For one, hotels there said they are not perturbed by the
competition.
Katherine Wong, GM, Mandarin Orchard Singapore, said: "It is an
anticipated competition where it’s the IR or new hotels coming into
the market. We monitored our occupancy very closely. It could be a
friendly threat for all, but I do not see any significant ups and
downs."
Hotels said it’s unlikely Orchard Road will be overshadowed by
developments in Sentosa, a point echoed by retailers.
Jimmy Fong, CEO, AFOR — EpiCentre, said: "Resorts World Sentosa
will bring in more crowds because more tourists will be in
Singapore. Not everyone will head to the casino, where it’s more
entertainment. Our place here is more for shopping."
And Orchard Road, after the recent revamp at its many shopping
malls, is still pulling in the crowds.
In fact, [email protected] saw some 80,000 shoppers during the Lunar
New Year holidays with retailers saying business doubled.
The mall is also linking up with Orchard Central in two to three
years’ time, all part of plans to enhance the shopping
experience.
While the situation for now seems okay for Orchard Road hotels
and businesses, it remains to be seen how it’ll be like when the
second integrated resort opens in Singapore.
Ruprecht Schmitz, general manager, Orchard Hotel Singapore,
said: "If you go to the resort in Sentosa, you may not want to stay
only in Sentosa and if you go to Marina Bay, may not only want to
stay in Marina Bay. There are many other things to do in Singapore
and you may also have clients who want to go to these resorts but
don’t want to stay there."
Orchard Hotel said the influx of tourists to Singapore as a
result of the integrated resorts should boost their weekend
occupancy as well. — CNA/vm