On a landmark Friday, November 15th, the grounds of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) became the focal point of a major advancement in Singapore’s hospitality and entertainment sector. The initiation of a SG$6.8 billion (US$5 billion) waterfront expansion was marked by a special groundbreaking ceremony. Led by notable figures including RWS CEO Tan Hee Teck and Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and Culture, Community and Youth Alvin Tan, the event was a formal commencement and a celebration of future possibilities. Highlighting the ceremony was the planting of Hopea odorata saplings, a species indigenous to Singapore. This act is deeply symbolic, reflecting RWS’s commitment to sustainability and integrating local natural elements into its expansive development plans.

Expansive plans for growth and innovation:

This ambitious project, known as RWS 2.0, promises to significantly enhance the integrated resort’s facilities. It aims to add approximately 700 new hotel rooms, thereby creating a stunning gateway to both RWS and the new Greater Southern Waterfront precinct. Moreover, the expansion includes a substantial update to Universal Studios Singapore with the introduction of Illumination’s Minion Land—an immersive themed zone designed to captivate visitors. Additionally, the S.E.A. Aquarium is set for a major expansion, with plans to triple in size and undergo a transformation into the Singapore Oceanarium. These attractions, including Minion Land and the Singapore Oceanarium, are anticipated to begin welcoming visitors in early 2025, marking the first phase of the broader expansion project.

Further insights into the development were shared in Genting Singapore’s recent third-quarter business overview. The company has begun the waterfront development this month after securing a construction contract. The plan includes the construction of two new luxury hotels that promise to enhance the resort’s luxury accommodations significantly. This phase also encompasses a range of new entertainment experiences, along with additional retail and dining options to complement the existing facilities.

Despite the extensive developments, the financial aspect of Genting Singapore saw a mixed quarter. According to Australasian Leisure Management, the report noted a 19% decline in total revenue to S$562 million, with gaming revenue experiencing a sharper fall of 28% year-on-year at S$330 million. Conversely, non-gaming revenue displayed resilience with a modest increase of 2% to $231.8 million, an encouraging sign amidst the full closure of the integrated resort’s Hard Rock Hotel for renovations and the S.E.A. Aquarium’s periodic two-day closures as it transitions to the Singapore Oceanarium.

A vision for the future:

Genting Singapore’s Executive Chairman, Lim Kok Thay, conveyed optimism about the waterfront expansion in the 2023 Annual Report. Describing the reinvestment as an “incredible opportunity to upscale” the RWS integrated resort experience, he outlined the project’s phased nature, set to roll out over the next eight years. As reported by Inside Asian Gaming, back in March 2024, he said: “The Waterfront development has received the government’s provisional permission and construction is set to commence in late 2024.”

The upcoming attractions are poised to significantly enhance RWS’s appeal to a global audience. The addition of Asia’s first Harry Potter: Visions of Magic later this month and the future introduction of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Singapore are expected to bolster both the profile and the profitability of the resort.