SENTOSA’S Underwater World Singapore is keeping mum about future plans even after the opening of Resorts World Sentosa’s Marine Life Park, with its only response being slashing of ticket prices.
Between December 1 and 31, all visitors to the attraction, which is operated by the Haw Par Group, will pay a flat price of S$15 (US$12.30) per person – a rate last seen in the 1990s. Currently, an adult pays S$25.90, while a senior citizen pays S$20.80 and a child pays S$17.60. As part of the promotion, every paying adult can bring a senior citizen or a child in free of charge.
When questioned by TTG Asia e-Daily about the attraction’s long-term strategy, a spokesperson reiterated in an e-mail: “Our primary objective is to offer value to our customers and we have been, and we are likely to continue rolling out promotions that will allow both tourists and locals to experience Underwater World as part of their holistic island journey. Visitors can also look forward to attractive price promotions during special periods.”
Hong Thai Travel Services’ assistant general manager for inbound tours, Tony Aw, revealed that he had asked the attraction as early as 2010 about its future plans, but was not given a satisfactory reply.
He said: “I am afraid Underwater World is going to lose out substantially, as visitors will undoubtedly flock to the Marine Life Park despite the higher admission prices because of its novelty and its sheer size.”
Helen Goh, director of marketing (inbound), Vacation DMC remarked that Underwater World had been overshadowed by the Marine Life Park, which she felt offered visitors more activities.
She said:” My guess is that (Underwater World) will continue to resort to discounting to pull in visitors for the time being. But of course, this is unsustainable in the long term.”
