Singapore's Marina Bay Sands unveils plans for fourth hotel tower by 2029

Singapore's Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino and hotel resort is gearing up for a significant expansion with the construction of a fourth hotel tower, a move that was delayed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

MBS announced on Friday that it will commence full-scale construction of the project, which includes erecting a fourth tower adjacent to its existing triple-tower complex, starting in July 2025. The anticipated completion date for this endeavor is set for July 2029.

Originally slated for completion by 2025, the $3.3 billion expansion project faced setbacks due to the pandemic-induced shutdowns enforced worldwide.

Patrick Dumont, President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands, MBS's parent company, said: "With the ongoing support of the Singapore government, this development will further enhance the leisure and business tourism appeal of Singapore. It optimizes the site's programming elements and is designed to drive high-value tourism growth to Singapore."

The expansion initiative, separate from a $1.75 billion reinvestment in the existing property, promises to revamp the resort's offerings significantly. The addition of a luxury hotel tower featuring a sky roof and a 15,000-seat entertainment arena, along with enhanced MICE facilities and new culinary and nightlife experiences, aims to elevate MBS's allure for both local and international visitors.

Having welcomed over 470 million visitors since its inauguration in 2010, Marina Bay Sands has played a pivotal role in Singapore's business tourism landscape, hosting more than 1,750 MICE events.

Recently, the resort capitalized on the presence of American pop sensation Taylor Swift in Singapore by offering exclusive hotel packages themed around her concerts.

The upcoming expansion seeks to position Marina Bay Sands as a magnet for global travelers, with the new entertainment arena set to attract A-list performers who previously overlooked Southeast Asia on their tours. Additionally, the expanded MICE facilities are expected to draw more international events to the vibrant city-state.

Singapore's tourism sector has shown signs of recovery, with international visitor arrivals reaching 13.6 million last year, representing around 71% of pre-pandemic figures in 2019. Tourism receipts for the same period were estimated to be between 24.5 and 26 billion Singapore dollars.