GENTING International and partner Star Cruises have sailed smoothly to the finishing line, taking home the Sentosa Integrated Resort as its prize.
The consortium's family-oriented proposal, especially the much-touted Universal Studios theme park, was what powered it to victory, leaving in its wake rivals Kerzner-Capitaland and Eighth Wonder.
While famed architect Frank Gehry's glass sculpture design for the Kerzner team captured the imagination of the public, it was not enough to convince the judges.
Neither was Eighth Wonder's line-up of stars, such as soccer legend Pele, celebrity chef Alain Ducasse and fashion designer Vera Wang.
Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar, announcing the winner with five other ministers yesterday, said Genting's Resorts World at Sentosa was 'the most compelling proposal overall that best meets our economic and tourism objectives'.
The Government did the maths and found Genting's $5.2 billion proposal would generate 30,000 jobs, and add $2.7 billion, or 0.8 per cent, to the economy a year - on par with the projections for Marina Bay Sands.
The bonus: Genting has tied in Universal Studios to an exclusive deal, in which the theme park has agreed not to open in any other South-east Asian country for the next 30 years.
The judges also liked the other attractions: The world's largest oceanarium, a water-theme park, and a maritime museum.
The contest for Sentosa differed from that for Marina Bay. More emphasis was placed on the bidders' ability to woo family holidaymakers, not business visitors.
But while Sands and Genting are likely to vie with each other to attract highrollers to their casinos, Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang sees the pair as complementary in Singapore's larger tourism game plan to double visitor numbers to 17 million by 2015.
Genting's win ends a two-year journey which has seen Cabinet and public opinion split over Singapore's decision to overturn a 40-year ban on casinos in order to win more tourism dollars.
While Sands was the dark horse at Marina Bay, Genting's win drew hardly a gasp.
It is the only contender with experience in Asia, with its Genting Highlands resort and Asia's largest cruise company Star Cruises.
While some architects said Michael Graves' architecture was outclassed by Frank Gehry's, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said it was well laid out and true to the resort theme with its use of wood and stone.
Sentosa Leisure Group chief executive Darrell Metgzer, who will be Genting's new landlord, was especially pleased with its commitment to keep 70 per cent of its resort 'green', a tacit standard the island manager applies to Sentosa.
Mr Metgzer said Genting's design went well with the Harbourfront precinct.
With Genting's investment, the precinct, consisting of VivoCity, Mount Faber and St James Power Station, will now be a new $12 billion tourism destination.
Genting executives were 'ecstatic' at the win. Chairman Lim Kok Thay said it was confident of attracting 15 million visitors to its resort by 2015.
Genting's quest for the prize was fraught with criticism that it was a three-star operator and its Universal park was outdated. But minister Mr Lim said the Genting proposal included 'premium, quality attractions', many helmed by 'very strong partners'. He pointed out that Universal was bringing in 16 new rides to Singapore. It has the chance to 'refresh' itself whenever there is a new blockbuster. Besides, tourists in Singapore's key markets - China, India and Indonesia - do not see it that way. 'The fact that Universal is a tried and tested brand does not mean it's stale.'
Asked if Singapore and Malaysia bilateral relations played a role in Genting's win, Professor Jayakumar said no, but added that with Genting's victory, 'this will bolster the strong economic ties between the two countries.'
krist@sph.com.sg
