Following the official handover of KidZania Singapore by Sentosa Developmet Corporation, Sim Leisure Group will be kicking off the refurbishment work for KidZania 5.0.
SINGAPORE – Award-winning edutainment attraction, KidZania Singapore, has been officially handed over by Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) to Sim Leisure Group, a theme park developer and operator listed on the Singapore Exchange’s Catalist board. The Group will embark on a significant refurbishment of the 7,600 square metre Family Entertainment Centre located at Sentosa’s Palawan Beach, to introduce a whole suite of new attractions and experiences.
The handover ceremony was graced by Thien Kwee Eng, Chief Executive Officer of Sentosa Development Corporation, Dato’ Sim Choo Kheng, Founder and Chairman, Sim Leisure Group, Datin Silviya Georgieva, Governor, KidZania Singapore, Executive Director, Sim Leisure Group, and Philip Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer of Sim Leisure Group.
At the ceremony, the Group unveiled a special preview of plans for KidZania 5.0, the 5th iteration in KidZania’s evolution.
Amid complex challenges of the changing world, KidZania 5.0 will introduce a fresh perspective on the world of professions and focus on developing future cities and citizens with a sustainability-centric lens, and changing the roles of its Industry Partners by incorporating at least eight elements of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. With an expected reopening in Q1 2024, many renowned local and regional brands in the fields of Banking, Airlines, Healthcare, Beauty, Hospitality, Quick-Service restaurant, and Food & Beverage Operators are in discussion to join Sim Leisure Group in bringing KidZania 5.0 to life as Purpose Partners of KidZania Singapore.
Dato’ Sim Choo Kheng, Founder and Chairman, Sim Leisure Group, said: “KidZania Singapore excites me as I am able to use my creativity to bring in a new genre of occupations. This includes exciting role plays such as Environmentalist and Environmental Protection Agent that are in line with the current need to raise awareness and understanding of environmental social protection. Today, businesses cannot merely be good at sustaining profits, but should also have a positive impact on today’s environmental and social issues. We are very encouraged by many of the Singaporean companies we have spoken to, who want to collaborate with us to introduce ESG-centric role play activities. I am very glad such sentiments are consistent with SDC and Sim Leisure’s ethos, where SDC has been advocating ESG as one of its key agendas. Sim Leisure’s ESCAPE, a nature-based adventure park, has also been promoting childhood play and reconnection with nature”.
Enhancing Singapore’s suite of entertainment destinations
In addition to developing KidZania 5.0, the Group is also amplifying its foray into Singapore’s attractions industry by bringing in new entertainment experiences via new and existing partnerships.
The Group will roll out Haven XR Cinemas in Singapore, revolutionizing the movie experience through its joint venture with the leading Australian Hollywood entertainment company. It will roll out the world’s first cinematic immersive adventure across Southeast Asia and China. This exciting new form of entertainment transports visitors to another world where they become part of the movie.
In 2012, Sim Leisure Group launched the first ESCAPE Adventure Park in Penang, Malaysia. This new genre of theme park is known as a retro-eco adventure park with a range of signature games and activities, including Guinness World attractions such as the World’s Longest Tube Water Slide and the World’s Longest Zip Coaster. The ESCAPE brand has experienced phenomenal expansion over the last few years with ESCAPE Challenge in Paradigm Mall, Petaling Jaya, and ESCAPE Ipoh under construction, along with more ESCAPE destinations slated to open in Kuala Lumpur and Johor. The Group is also venturing beyond Malaysia with new ESCAPE projects planned across the Asia Pacific and Middle East they are excited to be bringing the ESCAPE brand to Singapore.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.