It's wait-and-see for Singapore's soon-to-open integrated resort

But will tourists bite?

Not likely, say the travel agents contacted.

The agents, who have agreements with the integrated resort to offer rooms at special rates to tourists, say interest has been lukewarm at best.

The reason: The prime attractions at RWS — the theme park and casino — will open only several months down the road, and few visitors see the value in visiting a partially completed resort.

The reaction of Jaclyn Yeoh, the managing director of inbound travel agency Siam Express, typified that of agents who were asked about the poor take-up rate: “It is hard to fill up rooms without the theme park open,” she said.

“The draw isn't there now,” she said, adding that marketing of the rooms started late last year.

“So far, we have no bookings yet.” Other major inbound travel agencies, including Tour East Singapore and Golden M Travel, have also failed to secure any bookings.

CTC Holidays' spokesman Alicia Seah said the company has received about 50 enquiries about the resort since it began marketing it in November to tourists in China, Japan and Vietnam.

“Everyone is asking when the theme park will open. It's the main attraction,” said Seah.

To try to drum up interest, many agents have bundled stays at RWS' hotels with tours to other attractions here, such as the Sentosa Luge or the Night Safari.

But even with cut-price deals — the agents are offering rates about 30 percent lower than published ones — few tourists are biting.

Still, travel agents are not perturbed.

They are confident that things will pick up once the attractions open. In fact, some have already lined up a slew of bookings from people who are waiting for the IR's attractions to open before deciding when to come.

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