Charges at 4 visitor draws raised by between $1 and $6, despite tourism slump
By
Lim Wei Chean
FOUR attractions on Sentosa have increased their prices, bucking what has become almost the industry standard for theme parks and rides - lowered rates, bundled deals and plentiful discounts.
Starting on Wednesday, admission charges for Songs of the Sea, the cable car, Sentosa Luge & Skyride and the Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom went up by between $1 and $6.
How much?
PRICES for adult tickets
SENTOSA
Songs of the Sea: $10 (up $2)
Sentosa Luge & Skyride
- Single ride: $11 (up $1)
- Two rides: $16 (down $2)
- Family rate for four: $28 (up $1)
This move has baffled some in the industry as Singapore battles a recession and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has projected a 6 to 11 per cent drop in tourist arrivals.
In fact, to counter the common public perception that Singapore attractions are expensive, STB launched a marketing blitz in February called 2009 Reasons to Visit Singapore, aimed at offering visitors more bang for the buck. Yesterday, with the Association of Singapore Attractions, it introduced a new pass which gives $2 off or a 20 per cent discount on admission charges to more than 30 local attractions.
However, Sentosa Leisure Group's commercial director Susan Ang defended the $2 increase for the twice-nightly show Songs of the Sea, which features a live cast, pyrotechnics, water jets and lasers set to music. She said it was just part of its 'move to phase in adjustments in our admission pricing'.
Since its opening in March 2007, it has raised prices by $2 every year, starting from the opening promotion price of $6.
Two other Sentosa attractions said their increase was an attempt to give more value for money.
Sentosa Luge & Skyride general manager Lyndon Thomas said it has increased family tickets by $1 but lifted a child's age from 12 years to 16 years, allowing more to qualify for the family rate.
He added that customers who buy two rides will also get a $2 discount, 'making the attraction better value for money'.
Over at the Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom, the $6 increase gave visitors a bundled deal with two options: a free 6R photo with new exhibits like the parrots and macaws, or a hot dog and soft drink meal.
Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.
