Bloomberg has an article today saying that Las Vegas Sands has “all the money required to be able to complete the project.” And thanks to the global economic slowdown, according to the raw materials pipeline is finally starting to open up, which should alleviate some of the hurdles the company has faced during the construction.
And the timeline: Continue Reading »
According to this article, an unnamed spokesman for Resorts World at Sentosa has said that there is no change to the opening timeframe of the casino. The phased opening in 2009 is on track.
That is the question asked in this recent article. It looks like the recent Marina Bay Sands advertising campaign to recruit thousands of new workers has created quite a stir in Singapore. It has even gotten me excited because Ive noticed traffic to this site is up by about 500% since the job recruitment drive started. Keep it up guys, the more excitement the better.
Blurb: Continue Reading »
“Transformers,” the electrifying blockbuster celebrated for its multi-generational appeal, inventive storyline, spectacular action sequences and special effects, will now be developed as a new theme park mega-attraction in a partnership between Universal Parks & Resorts, Hasbro and DreamWorks Pictures.
The attraction will fuse 3D-HD media, mega special effects and stunning robotics with a ride system that will transform perceptions of theme park experiences. The rides are scheduled to make their debuts first at Universal Studios Singapore and then at Universal Studios Hollywood, both prior to summer, 2011.
In “Transformers,” Earth’s humans are caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between the friendly Autobots and the evil Decepticons, which are able to change into a variety of objects, including cars, trucks, planes and other technological creations.
Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts, said: “Transformers will be a jewel in our collection of world-class rides based on great movies. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Hasbro, DreamWorks, director Michael Bay and the film’s executive producer, Steven Spielberg, who has been responsible for so many of our signature rides and attractions.” Continue Reading »
Two recent articles discussing Marina Bay Sands plans to hire more than 10,000 new employees.
From Today Online:
Wanted: 10,000 new employees
Frontline personnel suchas security officers and waiters are being sought
IT WILL open its doors only at the end of next year, but Marina Bay Sands is beginning its hunt today for the10,000 employees it will need.
Chambermaids, security officers and waiters — these are the kind of front-line, rank-and-file positions the integrated resort will be advertising for in newspapers.
Its stated aim for starting now: Secure these jobs for as many Singaporeans as possible, even if they have no prior experience in tourism and hospitality. Continue Reading »
Its nice to hear some optimism given depressed economies and plummeting stock markets. Here are some comments made by Las Vegas Sands execs regarding their Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore:
“Overall, we remain extremely optimistic about the prospects for Marina Bay Sands and the future of the tourism industry in Singapore with China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand serving as key source countries for both the business and leisure tourist market,”….“With our parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp’s unsurpassed track record in building world-class integrated resorts, Asian operating experience and MICE expertise, we are confident that Marina Bay Sands will be a destination filled with buzz, excitement, and something for everyone,” Continue Reading »
It looks like Las Vegas Sands’ Marina Bay IR casino has a jump start on the MICE business given the fact that Singapore already ranks so well as a meeting city. From AsiaOne.com:
For the first time in history, Singapore has been ranked the ‘Top International Meeting City’ in 2007 in the Union of International Associations (UIA) 2007 Global Rankings.
In the UIA’s International Meetings Statistics 2007 report, Singapore leapfrogged two notches to clinch the top position, beating perennial favourites Paris (ranked 2nd) and Vienna (3rd), giving its ambition to be an exchange capital of the world a boost.
‘The UIA congratulates Singapore on the steady growth in the number of international meetings it has hosted over the past few years, a growth that results from and reflects the focus, quality and creativity of the Singapore meetings industry,’ said Mr Jacques de Mevius, Secretary-General, UIA. Continue Reading »
Profit margin in Macau is just 10%, while in S’pore it’s estimated to be nearly 40%
Given the favourable tax regime here, Singapore’s casinos in the upcoming integrated resorts look set to have higher profit margins, at least compared to Macau.
While the profit margin takes into account various operational costs, including junket commissions, the tax on gaming revenue is a big factor, and in Macau operators pay 35 per cent of gross gaming revenue in taxes.
In Singapore, the gaming tax rate will be 12 per cent (plus GST) for VIP play and 23 per cent (plus GST) for non-VIP play.
At the 13th Annual Asian Casinos Executive Summit 2008, which included industry players from Caesars Entertainment and Genting International, it also emerged that the profit margin for gaming operations in Macau work out to be about 10 per cent. In Singapore, it is estimated to be closer to 40 per cent. Continue Reading »
The Resorts World at Sentosa has an updated bulletin that includes an update, pictures, and a webcast. Click here to check it out.
Resorts World at Sentosa says the integrated resort’s superstructures will be completed by the first or second quarter of next year and the resort will open on schedule by the first quarter of 2010.
TWO years after the contracts for the integrated resorts (IRs) were awarded, both Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) say they are on track to open in December next year and the following year, respectively.
Hiring for the 10,000 staff that each resort will need is expected to start next year. Continue Reading »