New scheme to entice businesses to use Sentosa as living lab for innovative ideas

JANICE LIM The Star 16 Apr 19;

SINGAPORE — Businesses with innovative ideas about everything from biodiversity enhancement to waste management are being invited to use Sentosa as a testbed for their solutions.

To sweeten the deal, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) will even reduce or waive their rental fees on the island and help them with getting licensing and regulatory approvals.

The new initiative, Sentosa x Enterprise, aims to entice innovative businesses to use Sentosa as their live laboratory and in turn drive visitorship to the island.

Announced by Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Chee Hong Tat on Tuesday (Apr 16) at the Singapore Tourism Board’s annual tourism industry conference, the scheme is aimed at producing unique offerings and experiences on Sentosa that are not found elsewhere in Singapore.

Interested parties can submit their proposal from Tuesday until June 30. Those who are successful will be notified by Aug 31.

The proposals will be assessed on how innovative or novel the concepts are, as well as their ability to achieve SDC's goals of promoting Sentosa as a leisure destination, enhance guest satisfaction and benefit Singapore's tourism industry.

SDC is particularly looking out for ideas related to:

Connectivity, to enhance navigation around Sentosa

Experiences — novel offerings to attract visitors

Sustainability, such as waste and resource management and initiatives to maintain Sentosa's biodiversity

Digital technologies that enhance the guest experience and enhance productivity