Singapore hotels raise their game as World Aquatics Championships draws near

SINGAPORE: Ahead of an expected surge in overseas visitors in July, hotels in Singapore are taking measures such as bringing in more part-time staff and beefing up their menus.

The multi-discipline World Aquatics Championships and World Aquatics Masters Championships will be taking place then, coinciding with celebrations for Singapore’s 60th birthday.

The month-long sports event is expected to attract about 40,000 international visitors, with tourist revenue projected to hit S$60 million (US$46 million).

The World Aquatics Championships – which features the six sports of swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving – will be held from Jul 11 to Aug 3.

Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay hotel, located along Raffles Boulevard, is expected to be at full occupancy during July and August. The luxury hotel has close to 600 rooms.

Its general manager Phil Smith said such a global event means the hotel needs to ensure everyone is well prepared.

“Some of the things that we're looking at and are planning for, is obviously additional manning to help with the large amount of arrivals and departures, some of the special requests that may come in from so many international guests being in the hotel, and ensuring that our security is added to,” he told CNA.

Other measures include bringing in extra housekeeping equipment and part-time staff to turn over rooms quickly, when guests leave and new ones arrive.

The hotel is also adding dishes to its breakfast menu to keep the large and diverse crowd satisfied.

Mr Smith noted that the World Aquatics Championship – which was last held in Japan’s Fukuoka city two years ago – is “very unique” and will attract visitors who normally would not be in Singapore during