HAW PAR VILLA AND TANG DYNASTY (Long-term plans)

Mr Noris Ong Chin Guan asked the Minister for Trade and Industry whether his Ministry has any long-term plans for theme parks such as Haw Par Villa and Tang Dynasty, for which the number of foreign and Singapore visitors has been dwindling over the years.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Tang Guan Seng) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Singapore Tourism Board has accepted the surrender of Haw Par Villa by International Theme Parks (Singapore) Pte Ltd, or ITP. ITP had sought to operate the park based on its theme of Chinese mythology, but found that this is not commercially viable. STB will keep the park open to the public for the time being, while it explores options for the park's future.

Tang Dynasty has also incurred losses since it started operations in the early 1990s. The park is currently under judicial management, and talks are ongoing with a third party to take over the park. Failing which, JTC would re-tender the site out and retain the use of the land for recreational purposes.

Mr Noris Ong Chin Guan: Would the Ministry consider opening up the attractions free of charge to the public, as in the past, as heritage attractions, in the case of Haw Par Villa?

Mr Tang Guan Seng: Our plan is to find a third party to take over the park, to redevelop it, to enhance its attractiveness and manage it.