Marine Life Park to open to public ahead of RWS official opening

SINGAPORE: Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) said it targets to bring in 16 million visitors next year.

The integrated resort also announced that its second anchor attraction — the Marine Life Park — will open days ahead of RWS’ official opening on December 7.

The exact date of the park’s opening was not given to the media.

The Marine Life Park will be the world’s largest oceanarium and will house more than 100,000 marine animals.

These include 25 dolphins, which will be part of the park’s interactive programme that starts next year.

The dolphins were the subject of controversy last year, with some animal welfare groups calling for them to be freed.

In response to critics, Mr Biswajit Guha, director of Education and Conservation at the Marine Life Park, said: "The dolphins are doing very well, 25 of them (are) in the Philippines. I don’t have any firmed up dates yet to share with you at this stage about when they’ll be arriving.

"Essentially, all of the standards meet and in fact exceed the guidelines set by the American Zoos and Aquariums Association, as well as the Alliance for Marine Mammals Parks and Aquariums. In that respect, we’re fully confident that the dolphins will receive the best care possible."

Mr Guha added the Marine Life Park is open to continue working with non—government organisations (NGOs) and other agencies that focus on marine education and conservation.

He said they welcome the opportunity to collaborate on such issues.

RWS first opened to the public in 2010 and has attracted some 30 million visitors since then.

It is hoped the new attraction will also encourage more to extend their stay at the resort.

Mr Greg Allan, vice president, Rooms and F&B, Resorts World Sentosa, said: "We hope they’ll stay an additional night. We feel that the Marine Life Park will add significantly to the options available to families visiting. We are very much a family resort, and this is an experience that all age groups can come and enjoy together."

Visitors can also expect a weekend of festivities during the grand opening.

The highlights of the grand opening include public performances and a 12—minute public fireworks display at the RWS waterfront promenade.

— CNA/cc