Jason Tan Channel NewsAsia 29 Jan 11;
SINGAPORE: Sentosa is now just a stroll away from VivoCity, with the opening of the Sentosa boardwalk.
And travelling to the island on foot could now be a more fun experience.
This S$70 million boardwalk is lined with themed gardens, shops and eateries.
It is convenient for the elderly and handicapped too.
There are travellators and a covered walkway for rainy days.
To encourage more people to walk to Sentosa, the entrance fee to the island for those who enter on foot will only be S$1.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean was on site to launch the new walkway.
"The boardwalk is a wonderful way of connecting Singapore together with the main island. It allows both Singaporeans and tourists an additional way of getting onto Sentosa to enjoy its delights. But it's also a place where Singaporeans and tourists can come to enjoy the view, the many facilities here at the boardwalk," he said.
So far, the boardwalk has been a hit with visitors.
"I think it's good, another experience, very nice, and it's sheltered," said a visitor.
"I like it, very beautiful. The first time I'm here," said another.
"It's a lot healthier to actually walk on foot. And I think it also helps to alleviate some of the traffic conditions. As you can see it can get crowded sometimes during the rush hours over here," said a third visitor.
- CNA/ir
Boardwalk link to Sentosa opens
Melissa Lin Straits Times 30 Jan 11;
Instead of taking the cable car, train or bus, visitors to Sentosa can now stroll across a new boardwalk linking the mainland to the island.
The Sentosa Boardwalk, officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean yesterday, will help the island cope with an increase in the number of visitors.
Apart from the footbridge, on which construction began in July 2009, the building of a cableway on the island will also start later this year, said Mr Mike Barclay, chief executive officer of Sentosa Development Corporation.
'It will run through the spine of the island, so it offers more transportation within the island,' he said, adding that there will be three stations and that the project will take about two years to complete.
In his speech at yesterday's opening, DPM Teo said the outlook for Singapore's tourism sector is promising.
'We expect to meet our target of 11.5 to 12.5 million visitors for the year 2010. If achieved, it will be our highest number,' he added.
Among the festivities at the launch were dance performances and a fireworks display.
A new Singapore record was also set when 680 members of the public stood in a row, one in front of the other, and created the nation's first foot-to-foot chain.
Mr Mohd Sahari Ibrahim, 51, and his family were the first to set foot on the boardwalk. The courier, his wife and three children started queueing at 3.30pm, although the boardwalk was scheduled to be opened only at 5.30pm.
'We wanted to be the first to see the new addition to Sentosa,' he said.
