Several new experiences offered at Singapore’s Sentosa are expected to keep European visitors keen on the destination, as they are “a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural experiences that resonate with the discerning European traveller segment”.
Speaking to TTG Asia, Michael Ma, assistant chief executive (business & digital technology group) at Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), said Sentosa’s “latest and upcoming offerings cater to diverse interests while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and wellness”.
New draws on the popular holiday island include the all-villa Raffles Sentosa Singapore, which opened on March 1 to strong interest and bookings from both leisure guests and event planners. An experience not to be missed at the hotel is the Sentosa Sling, its iteration of the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail.
Ma also pointed to the soon-to-open Singapore Oceanarium as a hot draw for European visitors. The attraction will provide an immersive marine experience. The revamped Tanjong Beach Club also beckons, promising “the perfect beach club setting for relaxation and socialising”.
“At the heart of our new development this year would be the enhanced Sentosa Sensoryscape, which will be celebrating its first anniversary in March. During the celebration, we will be unveiling our new and enhanced mythical AR superbeing that invites visitors to awaken their senses and embark on a deeper journey of discovery,” shared Ma.
He added: “The European market continues to be an important and growing segment for Sentosa, contributing to our diverse international visitor mix.
“There was a robust 30 per cent increase in European visitation in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2024, we have also recovered past pre-Covid numbers for the European market. This reflects the increasing appeal of Sentosa’s unique blend of leisure experiences to discerning European travellers.”
The European market is valuable to SDC and Sentosa, as this segment typically stays on longer and spends more.
“This brings significant value to Sentosa’s tourism ecosystem and we’re committed to further develop this market through targeted marketing initiatives and tailored experiences that resonate with European preferences for sustainable, cultural, and innovative tourism products.”
Ma anticipates continued growth in European arrivals to the island, and is working to “sustain and further enhance this growth” through strategic partnerships and targeted marketing initiatives with key industry players such as Singapore Tourism Board to develop Europe’s tier two markets, and Expedia to drive accommodation stays on Sentosa.
Meanwhile, SDC’s commitment to sustainable development has not only contributed positively to Singapore’s overall green plans, it has also enhanced Sentosa’s appeal among environmentally-conscious European travellers.
Last November, Sentosa hosted the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) first conference in South-east Asia.
“Sentosa as the first destination in Asia to be certified to GSTC’s destination standards and being able to play host to the GSTC 2024 Conference further cements our position as a leader in sustainable tourism in the region,” remarked Ma.
This year, SDC aims to have all hotel rooms on Sentosa achieve internationally recognised sustainability certifications by year’s end.
“We believe that upon achieving this target, it will further enhance Sentosa’s appeal to our European partners, particularly those in the business and leisure travel sectors.
