AusLeisure

Global attractions operator Merlin Entertainments is to invest about S$20 million (US$15.7 million) to develop new attractions in Singapore, including a new Madame Tussauds wax museum.

The new museum, which will be Merlin's eighth Madame Tussauds in Asia, will be the newest addition to Singapore's Sentosa Island, with Merlin to also take over the management of Sentosa's well-known Images of Singapore (IOS) attraction.

Merlin will partner with resort managers the Sentosa Development Corporation, to upgrade the existing attraction and operate the new Madame Tussauds Singapore side-by-side at , with Madame Tussauds Singapore opening at Sentosa Island's Imbiah Lookout.

To open during 2014, Madame Tussauds Singapore will be Merlin's first Singapore-based attraction with content to be tailored to reflect the culture of Singapore and adjoining South east Asian nations.

The attraction will also be the first Tussauds outside of London to play host to its own ride reflecting the history and culture of its host region.

With rising income in Asia fuelling consumer spending on leisure, Merlin Divisional Director for Asia Meike Schulze explains "Singapore is already an established leisure destination in Asia. It is an easy reach (for) affluent, Asian middle-class families that are not just more mobile, but also looking for quality attractions."

The attraction will also be the first Madame Tussauds outside of London to play host to its own ride reflecting the history and culture of its host region.

As Schulze adds, "Asia is currently the most important growth area of the world for Merlin, and we are delighted to be working with the Sentosa Development Corporation to not only rejuvenate and re-establish IOS, but also to bring one of our best known attractions to Singapore Madame Tussauds.

"We have a lot of admiration for how Singapore has developed its strong tourism offering and see Sentosa as one of the leading attractions destinations in Southeast Asia. As an exciting and vibrant international hub, Singapore is the ideal location for a Madame Tussauds, and we are confident that with a touch of Merlin Magic, we will add a new element to the country's successful entertainment offering."

With major investments in visitor attractions in recent years, visitor arrivals to Singapore rose 8.7% to 11.7 million in the first nine months this year from a year ago, according to figures from the Singapore Tourism Board.

27th August 2012 - FREE ADMISSION TO SENTOSA ISLAND ON 1ST SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARY

20th May 2012 - MADAME TUSSAUDS SYDNEY A MODEL OF ATTRACTIONS INVESTMENT

11th April 2012 - MERLIN PREDICTS DRAMATIC GROWTH IN ASIA-PACIFIC REGION

1st July 2011 - MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS LOOKS TO PROTECT GLOBAL BRANDS

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