Plans for wellness attraction in Marina South and Porsche Experience Centre in Changi

The Republic is set to get another two world-class attractions - a wellness attraction in the Marina Bay precinct by 2030 and a Porsche Experience Centre in Changi by 2027.

- Anjali Raguraman

There will be a call for tender for the development of the wellness attraction located in Marina South, close to the Marina Barrage, which "can leverage the waterfront and places of interest in the vicinity", said Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, on May 10.

"With the rising demand for more restorative and wellness-related experiences, we want to position Singapore as an urban wellness haven," said Ms Fu, speaking at the Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) Tourism Industry Conference at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

STB chief executive Melissa Ownoted that the global wellness market hit US$5.2 trillion (S$7 trillion) in 2022 and is projected to grow to almost US$8 trillion in 2028, adding that there is tremendous potential for Singapore to tap.

She said that the tender will be launched in the coming months.

"We are hoping this is an attraction that will be able to offer a myriad of wellness experiences including therapeutic arts, light- and frequency-based therapies, complementary health facilities, and indoor and outdoor water- or equipment-based types of fitness experiences."

When asked how the attraction will differentiate itself from offerings in wellness and resort destinations like Bali and Phuket, Ms Ow said STB is mindful that Singaporeans and visitors are familiar with many different types of wellness experiences in many other destinations.

"However, this is a large-format development, and one which is within the context of Singapore as an urban destination," she noted.

"It will play to our strength of convenience, as well as have a very replete set of offerings related to lifestyle and leisure." STB deputy chief executive Yap Chin Siang told The Straits Times that the attraction is expected to occupy 4ha of land, or the size of six to seven football fields.