Face-to-Face: Arthur Chernov, Vice-President of Sales, Marina Bay Sands Singapore
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1) With three luxury hotel towers comprising 2,500 rooms; superb retail stores; celebrity chef restaurants; a casino; nightclubs; a museum and a 45,000 delegate conference centre, how will Marina Bay Sands change the landscape of Singapore’s economic and tourism future?
Marina Bay Sands will be a defining landmark in the Singapore’s urban landscape. Our unique integrated resort concept will revolutionise the city-state’s tourism industry. We will have attractions to suit a diverse group of travelers from all corners of the globe. Their ideal holiday could range from watching a Broadway performance followed by fine-dining, sipping a cocktail on the iconic Sands SkyPark or shopping in our luxury retail malls. Our world-class Sands Expo and Convention Center will have the best facilities for our business travelers. This “under-one-roof” concept is unique and we are proud to be introducing this model to Singapore.
The benefits to the overall economy of Singapore are enormous. We will directly and indirectly assist local as well as regional vendors.
2) The 7,000 tonne steel structure for the Sands SkyPark was successfully lifted 200 metres into place just before year end. How is the overall building of the development progressing?
The completion of the Sands SkyPark steel structure marked a huge engineering feat and we wanted to share that with the world. However, there is so much going on behind the scenes. The hotel rooms up to about the 22nd floor are being fitted out. Work on the interiors of the convention center and the casino, and the event plaza along Marina Bay is almost complete.
Marina Bay Sands will open the first phase in April and this will include nearly 1,000 hotel rooms, part of the shopping mall and convention center, our first three celebrity chef restaurants and other dining, and the casino. The second phase, which includes the Sands SkyPark, the Event Plaza along Marina Bay and more great shops and restaurants, will open in the summer. Our theaters debuting with The Lion King, and the museum will open later in the year.
3) The Sands SkyPark is the iconic topping to one of the world’s most dramatic developments. What effect will it have on Singapore’s place on the world stage do you think?
Through its iconic architecture, Marina Bay Sands will put Singapore on the world map, right alongside other leading cities that are represented by their magnificent icons. The Sands SkyPark featuring sculpted gardens, three swimming pools, a public observation deck and dining options, will be an attraction in itself. The SkyPark will also be the perfect venue for more private business meetings or after-work cocktail parties.
4) What are your plans for the massive MICE component of the development?
Marina Bay Sands has announced a strong line-up of premier events for the Sands Expo and Convention Center. We are aiming to bring over 150,000 attendees to the integrated resort beginning this year.
Marina Bay Sands’ unique integrated concept has appealed to our new partners. As a result, we’ve been able to attract new shows such as the Industrial Fabrics Association International Expo Asia 2011 trade show, the first major textile event catered for the Asian audience. Other firsts include Cruise Shipping Asia, Art Stage Singapore 2011 and 2012; Dye+Chem Asia International Expo 2010 and 2012; Sound Light Visual (SLV) Expo 2010; Offshore Asia 2011; as well as the IEEE P802, an engineering conference. We are hosting the 2010 UFI Congress, which will come back to Singapore after a 15-year absence.
In addition, we have sealed over 40 contracts with wholesalers and travel agents from around the world to bring leisure travelers to this amazing destination. This diverse line-up marks a huge success for the Singapore Expo and Convention market as well.
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