With the decrease in international tourists and shifting demographics towards increasing environmental consciousness, Sentosa is faced with an existential need to more meaningfully engage local tourists.
How do we encourage more environmentally sustainable guest behaviours and experiences on Sentosa?
Sandbox aims to address unsustainable tourism in Sentosa by creating sustainable experiences for local tourists.
The project is intended to be an incubator for pilot activities and events related to environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) (e.g. upcycling workshops, penguin walk challenges). Activities being piloted will be empowered with tools and processes designed by Sandbox.
Through the pilot opportunity, successful and viable projects can scale beyond Sentosa and generate greater impact in Singapore.
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
Going to the luge. The luge is something unique to Singapore and you cannot enjoy that activity anywhere else.
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
It does not resonate much with me as I think I am not aware of Sentosa\'s historical/culture/commercial significance.
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
bungy, casino
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
not very interested unless it is a hiking route?
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Often (>10 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
My fond experiences would definitely be the calmer and more \"vibey\" beaches - where it feels further away from the city! I would say being able to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life, and trying to be a tourist in my own nation is something that I really find memorable! Another thing would be that whenever I visit sentosa, it is always purposeful, with an agenda and is a fully-packed day. This makes it all the more enjoyable and more holiday feels!
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
I would say that Singapore\'s historical identity is hard to resonate with as I\'ve grown up in a time where Singapore has already advanced so much and I did not see our progress first hand. Being able to immerse myself in an interactive experience that shows our progress would help me resonate better! Singapore\'s cultural identity on the other hand highly resonate with me, because I see it all the time! \"Out of Sight, Out of Mind\" as they say. Our cultural diversity and identity can easily be seen everywhere, from food to attire and even the different places in Singapore. Can see cultural identity. Cannot visually see and feel our historical identity.
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
The old monorail -- the ability to see the island from a different perspective
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
Different elements resonate in different ways, though these aspects are not well known.
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Sometimes (4-10 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
Organised activities with friends, orientation camps
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
Holds many special memories
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
Beaches, friends
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
Without a car, would be a hassle for quite a number of people to visit it
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
can walk from vivo city. the sea view
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
from what I know sentosa historical value is on the fort siloso . I personally love sg history so this resonate with me the most.
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
Enjoying the activities with my friends.
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
Only know Sentosa is a place where I go have fun.
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Sometimes (4-10 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
Family outings, outings with friends. Trail walking , USS. I get to experience a Long walk on the island which is clean and hygienic and makes me feel happy and peaceful.
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
I feel like Sentosa sometimes fail to show the singaporean side of it. It’s all too modernised for the sake of tourists.
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
Going with friends to attractions / beach
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
it is assessible as it is relatively central
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
SEA aquarium as it is the only one in Singapore
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
I am not concerned with the identity as long as I get to engage in what I intended to from going to Sentosa
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
The monorail ride around Sentosa
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
It\'s not very accessible (physically and financially) and filled with a lot of expensive hotels/private homes.
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
beaches, open spaces to just chill with friends, uss
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
highly commercialised, not sure if there\'s a cultural value yet
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Sometimes (4-10 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
Playing at the beachside with friends. Memorable because those were days where we had more leisure time to bind and relax
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
Sentosa has a rich history of evolution and how things changed rapidly as singapore became older
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
Luge rides, going to the different attractions like sea aquarium. It\'s like living in a different \"island\".
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
It doesn\'t exactly resonates with me as I just head there and enjoy my time.
In response to "How often do you visit Sentosa for leisure in a typical year?"
Rarely (1-3 times a year)
In response to "What are your fond experiences unique to Sentosa? What makes these experiences memorable?"
USS, the unique hospitality which makes you feel like you are a tourist.
In response to "As a local tourist, how does Sentosa’s historical/cultural/commercial identity resonate/not resonate with you?"
Currently there is nothing resonate me in sentosa other than USS. I hope there will be a mascot that would represent it.
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Andy Lee, e0772459@u.nus.edu I think what is important is that the platform is marketed well and is able to attract an already small demographic of Sentosa location owners. On top of that, how can these environmentally sustainable guest behaviours be marketed at the Singapore population to attract local tourist to Sentosa and will it make a big enough impact to draw in a substantial number of tourist. I think if publicity is done well, then the project will be a viable idea!
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
I\'m curious to know what exactly are the tools and processes is unique to Sandbox which helps to encourage sus behaviors. Validating the claim/hypothesis/your statement that through catalysing these programmes and implementing your uniqeu set of processes will indeed make a change would be the first thing I would want to see, if I were to buy in to your vision. Developing a way to make me believe is something you can consider doing to improve
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Team can consider addressing why Sentosa would be an appropriate place to pilot the proposed activities and events that are related to environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) and its comparative advantages or unique selling points viz other MICE options in Singapore or competitor options overseas. Given the popularity of ESG, what is the likelihood of Sentosa being able to stand out on this front should other alternatives use the same narrative (e.g. why can\'t the NLB building host similar activities and events?)
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Perhaps share what are the environmentally friendly practices that should be encouraged?
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
I think another point is more people are having staycations in hotels How would hotels join in for this effort ? Because as local tourists we don\'t tour far thus it would be a great initiative for nearby hotels in an area to join in in terms of recommending and planning itinerary with local tourist . a simple initiative like promoting lesser bottle wastage remind local tourist to prepare water bottles and there will be a free breakfast\'s drink . This would encourage lesser plastic bottles wastage. As from what I know the biggest problem at Sentosa is finding water points and usually locals would just buy from vending machines or along the way.
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
It’s so nice of you guys to initiate this intriguing idea! Have you guys also thought about making it sustainable in the long run? Because the tools and resources used to initiate the activities will eventually run out. So how are you guys planning to run it in the Long term. You guys can choose to use resources that is often found around you. NLB, Schools, CCs ;they have a lot of resources that you might find useful. All the best!
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Need to consider the scaling to other areas in SG, for eg the HDB areas (residential / social) are a different setting from Sentosa (recreational / social)
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
The \"experience\" with Sandbox may be too short to influence changes in the behaviours of guests.
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
what are the current unsustainable practices by guests? is focusing in the guest enough? what about the vendors - are they doing their part?
In response to "How Can We Improve?"
Some of the more common activities guests do at sentosa are eating and snapping photos. This opportunity can be utilised to encourage sustainability. Photo points of mascots with a description and QR can be placed around sentosa so that guests who take photos there will be able to learn at the same time. Mascots can be more appealing to kids who will want to read what’s written as well. Filters can also be made on social media which sentosa guests can use while there so that when they repost it, more people would know about the movement
