SINGAPORE - Island resort showdown

TTGasia.com, Jun 8-14, 2007

Recent developments on nearby Bintan island may turn it from the complementary destination it now is to a fierce competitor Singapore may lose tourists to in time, and Singapore agents are divided in how to react.The discussion arose in response to a spate of new tourism developments on the Indonesian island, which is under an hour’s ferry ride from Singapore. It was fuelled by speculation a casino might be built there, possibly in Lagoi Bay, to rival Singapore’s two upcoming integrated resorts at Marina Bay and Sentosa. Lagoi Bay developer, Bintan Resort Cakrawala, told TTG Asia: “As a master planner and resort developer, our focus remains firmly on property development and planning for the resort. “However, if any company purchasing land from us possesses the relevant licence to legally operate a casino business in Bintan, they would be welcome to do so.” The 1,300-hectare Lagoi Bay development in the north of the island was launched in April this year.

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