SINGAPORE Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) opened four new hotels in January, with the remainder of the US$4.4 billion resort set to begin operations later this year, once planning approvals and licences have been secured. RWS is expecting to attract up to 13 million visitors in its first year of operation. 

Chairman of the Genting Group and RWS, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said: “We are happy to have achieved this milestone, opening in early 2010 as promised, and we’re confident we can deliver the visitor numbers.”

The four hotels – Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Crockfords Tower and Hotel Michael, offer 1,350 rooms and 10 restaurant outlets combined. Further facilities and retail outlets are in the pipeline. But the major draw cards will be the Universal Studios theme park and the casino, along with the convention centre for MICE events.

RWS chief executive Tan Hee Teck said the convention centre was ready, although no date has yet been given for its first event. “Bookings are very solid. Conference organisers are saying Resorts World Sentosa has distinguished itself from other destinations like Phuket and Bali.” 

At the end of last year, RWS had more than 30 confirmed event bookings, the largest of which, the 11th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention in October 2011, is expected to attract 4,000 top business leaders from around the world. 

RWS is currently fielding more than 150 leads, and has received expressions of interest for events up to 2014.