Gaming doing well, but IRs coming into their own as truly integrated resorts

Singapore

THE recent commitment by Singapore's two integrated resorts (IRs) - Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) - to expand their footprint is a big plus for the country's efforts to bring in quality tourism.

"I welcome the new investments, they are much needed," said Singapore Tourism Board (STB) chief executive Keith Tan. "The fact that not a single government dollar is being put in, it means that (parent companies) Las Vegas Sands and Genting have done their sums and believe it is financially viable to do this."