MBS issues guidelines for visiting tour groups, says they should not loiter on property, including hotel lobby, Shoppes and convention centre
The guidelines are to ensure an optimal guest experience for visitors, says Marina Bay Sands.
SINGAPORE – Tourist groups will no longer be allowed to gather and hang around the lobby of the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Hotel, the Sands Expo and Convention Centre and in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands from Saturday (16 March). Tour guides are also prohibited from using handheld signages, flags and portable microphones within the integrated resort.
The measures were effective from 16 March, according to new guidelines in an advisory issued by MBS. These guidelines have been implemented to “ensure an optimal guest experience for visitors”, wrote MBS.
“Tour groups should not loiter on property,” MBS said. Instead of doing their briefings within MBS, the guidelines recommend that tour guides conduct them on the coach before arrival or at the public areas just outside the property.
For groups visiting the SkyPark Observation Deck, instead of entering via the hotel lobby, they should use the entrance located at the exterior of Tower 3, MBS said.
No known disturbances caused by tour groups in MBS
The guidelines have received mixed reactions from those working in the MBS area.
According to Shin Min Daily News, no tour groups were spotted when reporters from the Chinese paper visited MBS on Saturday morning.
Employees from the stores in the mall told Shin Min that tour groups are usually only sighted in the afternoon. However, they hadn't received complaints about these groups from other guests.
An employee from a shop in the hotel lobby shared that he usually sees one or two groups daily, and up to four groups a day on weekends.
He also said that he sees tour groups as a good thing, as there is more footfall and they have not been particularly loud or caused any disturbances.
The advisory from MBS comes several weeks after local universities Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore introduced their own solutions to dealing with an influx of tour groups visiting their premises.
Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
