Your Excellencies,

 

Distinguished Guests, 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

 

Good evening.

It is my pleasure to join you at the Grand Opening of the first W hotel in Singapore - W Singapore-Sentosa Cove.

 

 

2.            Over the last 20 years, Sentosa Cove has gone through a remarkable transformation. The land which we are standing on today did not even exist 20 years ago. Sentosa Cove was formed through the reclamation of the sea to join the then-Buran Darat island with Sentosa island.  

 

3.            When we first developed Sentosa Cove, we envisioned it to be a world-class integrated waterfront residential development with a marina, hotel and commercial amenities for both residents and visitors.  Sentosa Cove was originally conceived to emulate the romance and magic of renowned idyllic waterfront resorts in the French Riveria, Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Over the years, Sentosa Cove has evolved and created its own unique tropical personality. 

 

4.            Today, Sentosa Cove has added much character and vibrancy to Sentosa island. It is a key precinct which complements Sentosa’s vision to be a sophisticated lifestyle resort destination.  This 117-hectare waterfront development is home to close to 4,700 residents.[1] Marina Club, world renowned golf courses and an exciting array of attractions which the rest of Sentosa has to offer.  It also enjoys proximity to the award-winning ONE°15

 

5.            Indeed, Sentosa Cove is poised to become an iconic cosmopolitan community in the region. It is well on its way to completion, with the last residential property expected to be completed in 2014. By 2014, Sentosa Cove will be bustling with some 2,000 homes, quayside restaurants, retail and specialty shops.

 

6.            As the latest addition to Sentosa and one of Sentosa Cove’s key stakeholders, W Singapore-Sentosa Cove adds buzz to the Cove precinct by offering tourists and locals a tropical marina-oriented lifestyle experience. Being the only marina hotel in Singapore, W Singapore-Sentosa Cove presents a distinctive hotel concept proposition with berthing stations at its doorsteps that offers a unique guest experience and sense of arrival.  The opening of the Quayside Isle [2] later this year will further add to the exciting range of amenities and offerings at Sentosa Cove.

 

7.            W Singapore-Sentosa Cove’s unique “marina hotel” proposition showcases how the hospitality sector can create value through innovative concepts. It is through such continuous innovation and transformation that the hospitality sector can continue to stay ahead of the curve and provide varied and exciting offerings that locals and tourists can look forward to. I am also pleased to note that W Singapore-Sentosa Cove has established a career mentoring program to provide career development for local staff to take up management positions in this sector. These initiatives are in line with Singapore’s strategy for quality tourism where we continue to rejuvenate Singapore’s tourism landscape to achieve sustainable growth and generate good jobs for Singaporeans. 

8.            In conclusion, I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to the management and staff of City Developments Limited on the opening of W Singapore-Sentosa Cove.

 

9.            Thank you.

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