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MM Lee expects tourism boost with integrated resorts
Posted: 19 February 2010 2014 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's future over the next five to 10 years is an "optimistic" one, said Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, and the tourism sector will reflect that.
Speaking in Mandarin at Tanjong Pagar GRC's Chinese New Year celebration dinner Thursday evening, Mr Lee said the two integrated resorts (IRs) have hired about 16,000 Singaporean workers, and tourist arrivals will shoot up.
With a laugh, Mr Lee said: "They want to gamble. I don't understand why they want to lose. You surely will not win."
In reference to Resorts World Sentosa, which opened its casino on Sunday, Mr Lee said "the boss counted S$3.5 million" on the first day and S$3.7 million on the second day.
He added that the Singapore Turf Club had realised it would lose customers to the IRs and wanted to open a casino as well.
"No," said Mr Lee with another laugh, "two is enough".
Hence, in the next 10 years, Singapore will continue to grow, he said, with each sector, such as education and entertainment, seeing improvements.
He added that people used to say Singapore was a quiet place, but every newspaper now says it is very vibrant at night.
- TODAY
Posted: 19 February 2010 2014 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's future over the next five to 10 years is an "optimistic" one, said Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, and the tourism sector will reflect that.
Speaking in Mandarin at Tanjong Pagar GRC's Chinese New Year celebration dinner Thursday evening, Mr Lee said the two integrated resorts (IRs) have hired about 16,000 Singaporean workers, and tourist arrivals will shoot up.
With a laugh, Mr Lee said: "They want to gamble. I don't understand why they want to lose. You surely will not win."
In reference to Resorts World Sentosa, which opened its casino on Sunday, Mr Lee said "the boss counted S$3.5 million" on the first day and S$3.7 million on the second day.
He added that the Singapore Turf Club had realised it would lose customers to the IRs and wanted to open a casino as well.
"No," said Mr Lee with another laugh, "two is enough".
Hence, in the next 10 years, Singapore will continue to grow, he said, with each sector, such as education and entertainment, seeing improvements.
He added that people used to say Singapore was a quiet place, but every newspaper now says it is very vibrant at night.
- TODAY
