A nature resort in Singapore – Does it make sense?
The Singapore newspapers announced a $70 million plan by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to build “a nature retreat in Mandai, away from the hustle and bustle of the city”.
It will be 30-hectare big, about the size of 42 football fields.
Upon closer reading of the report on ChannelNewsAsia, I realised that the $70 million is the total budget, which also includes rejuvenation of the Night Safari and Mandai Zoo.
So the amount towards the new nature retreat will actually be less than that.
The two key highlights are
i) “a luxurious topical (sic) spa retreat,”, and
ii) “an exotic river-themed development, where visitors can learn about freshwater habitat.”
Nothing new then.
Do we really need another spa in Singapore? And I don’t even realise there’re any rivers in Mandai.
I was also most amused by this statement: “The government believes that if done well, visitors to Mandai can forget that they are actually only minutes away from the city centre.”
Firstly, in Singapore, there are high-rise concrete buildings no matter where you turn.
Secondly, Mandai isn’t exactly near the city centre.
I’m hoping that the government will rethink their plans, and simply preserve whatever little nature we have left.
Sources: Today Online, Straits Times (subscription required)
