Tour operators at new Marina South
Pier say businesses down 30%
30 June 2006 2228 hrs (SST) 1428 hrs (GMT)
SINGAPORE : The Marina Bay integrated resort is taking shape, with
the opening of the new Marina South Pier on Friday.
It is the first building in the future Marina Hub water sports and
integrated resort area.
Even though the new pier is now larger and equipped with better
facilities than Clifford Pier, tour operators who have moved there
say their businesses are suffering due to the location.
The Marina South Pier is 1 km south of the Marina food and
entertainment centre and a 5-minute bus ride from the Marina Bay
MRT station.
The bus comes about every half hour and mobile phones could not
receive any signals till about a week ago.
Businesses catering to tourists say they have seen a drop in
revenue of 30 percent to 40 percent compared to when they were
located at Clifford Pier.
"The STB (Singapore Tourism Board) is also involved in trying to
raise tourist awareness of this place and they have been
distributing flyers to the hotels. It's still in the early stage,
let's see how it goes. In fact, the MPA (Maritime and Port
Authority) has been in close consultation with them," said
Transport Minister Raymond Lim.
- CNA /ls
