Singapore has launched one of the most ambitious tourism transformation projects in its history with the unveiling of the Greater Sentosa Master Plan (GSMP), a 20-year development strategy designed to double visitor arrivals to Sentosa Island and establish it as Asia's premier integrated leisure and entertainment destination. While the plan does not include the construction of new casinos, it is expected to have a direct impact on the gaming industry by increasing visitor traffic to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), the integrated resort operated by Genting Singapore that houses one of the country's two licensed casinos.
The project was officially presented on 3 July 2026 during the opening of the "Your Island. Reimagined." exhibition at VivoCity, led by Grace Fu, Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, alongside Edmund Koh, Chairman of the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), and Thien Kwee Eng, the corporation's Chief Executive Officer. The roadmap will transform Sentosa and the 120-hectare Pulau Brani through a phased rollout extending to 2045, with the first major attractions expected to open in the early 2030s.
The master plan includes the construction of the Island Heart Transport Hub, a new transport system replacing the Sentosa Express Monorail, water taxi connections, the elevated Imbiah Lookout Walk, the Imbiah Canopy observation deck, the Sensorium multi-experience complex, new hotels, event venues, upgraded beaches with coastal protection measures, and the development of Brani West, one of the largest areas designated for future attractions. The Sentosa Development Corporation also confirmed that discussions are already underway with potential investors and developers, although their identities have not yet been disclosed.
Lee Shi Ruh, Chief Executive Officer of Resorts World Sentosa
The strategy responds to sustained tourism growth. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Sentosa welcomed 16.9 million visitors, 80% of whom were international travelers. The long-term objective is to exceed 34 million annual visitors once the project is completed. At the same time, Resorts World Sentosa 2.0 continues to advance through separate investments that include the Waterfront Lifestyle Development, Super Nintendo World, and new premium attractions scheduled for completion by 2030, further strengthening the resort's competitiveness against other regional integrated destinations.
Lee Shi Ruh, Chief Executive Officer of Resorts World Sentosa, said the Greater Sentosa Master Plan will expand visitor flows, improve island connectivity and enable closer collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board, led by Melissa Ow, reinforcing Singapore's international position as a leading destination for luxury tourism, entertainment and gaming.
Although the government has not disclosed the total investment value of the GSMP, it confirmed that the project will be implemented in phases through public tenders and private-sector partnerships, further strengthening the ecosystem that supports Resorts World Sentosa's casino and Singapore's integrated resort model.
