Singapore has announced an ambitious 20-year plan to transform the resort island of Sentosa into a major global tourism destination. The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) unveiled the master plan on Wednesday, which envisions upgraded beachfronts, new canopy walks, enhanced transport links, and the integration of adjacent Pulau Brani, with its port operations set to be phased out by 2027.

Sentosa, a 5-square-kilometer island located about a 10-minute monorail ride from Singapore’s mainland, is accessible by road via a bridge and already draws roughly 19 million visitors annually. The redevelopment aims to double that number by offering a broader and more diversified visitor experience, appealing not only to international tourists—who currently make up 80 percent of visitors—but also increasing local participation from around 10 percent to 30 percent.

Thien Kwee Eng, CEO of the SDC, emphasized that the plan seeks to balance innovation with preservation. “We want to create the next generation of world-class experiences inspired by our beautiful coastlines, our greenery, our heritage, our sense of escape as well as the Singapore identity,” Thien said at a briefing. The project intends to maintain Sentosa’s unique character while enhancing accessibility and visitor engagement.

A focal point of the redevelopment is Brani West, on the neighbouring Pulau Brani island. This area will be transformed into a major attraction hub, featuring a new Imbiah canopy and lookout walk with dining, retail, and event spaces. Additional proposals include a multipurpose indoor venue for festivals and events, revitalized beachfronts with lifestyle and recreational amenities, water taxis, coastal activities, and a floating boardwalk connecting existing islets. The current monorail system is slated to be replaced by a People Mover System designed to increase capacity and improve connections between Sentosa and Brani.

Infrastructure improvements include a new transport hub to facilitate seamless arrivals. A minor land reclamation is planned to support the expanded transport facilities, though the overall investment cost remains undisclosed due to the phased nature of the development.

While regional competitors such as Bali, Bintan, and Phuket offer more affordable options, the SDC affirmed the intention to cultivate distinct experiences tailored to Sentosa’s identity rather than simply mimic other destinations. Observers suggest Singapore’s advantages—such as its strategic location, efficient transport, cleanliness, use of English, and multicultural environment—position Sentosa well in the regional tourism landscape.

Seshan Ramaswami, associate professor of marketing education at Singapore Management University, noted that Singapore might remain oriented toward higher-end tourists but could also broaden its appeal through budget accommodations and special packages targeting mid-tier visitors. He viewed the Greater Sentosa plan as an opportunity to present an “enhanced beach or island resort experience embedded in a much more interesting overall experience,” rather than competing directly with lower-cost island resorts.

Kevin Chong, a business lecturer at the University of Newcastle, highlighted Sentosa’s potential to complement Singapore’s urban and business tourism. “Sentosa’s resort and leisure positioning should be twinned with Singapore’s city and business profile, out of the same Changi Airport and within close proximity and convenient access to each other,” he said.

Singapore’s tourism industry reached record receipts of S$32.8 billion in 2025, and the tourism board projects this to grow to S$50 billion by 2040, signaling strong confidence in the sector’s long-term expansion. The Sentosa redevelopment forms a key part of the city-state’s strategy to capture more of the regional and international leisure market.