Singapore anticipates welcoming 40,000 international visitors and generating S$60 million in revenue from the upcoming World Aquatics and World Aquatics Masters Championships. This projection was disclosed by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Eric Chua, in response to questions from Member of Parliament Gerald Giam.
According to Mr. Chua, the 40,000 attendees, including spectators, athletes, officials, production crew, and media, represent a “conservative estimate.” The World Aquatics Championships, featuring six aquatic sports, will be held from July 11 to August 3 in Singapore. The city was selected to host the event following its relocation from Kazan, Russia, due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Regarding the construction of the temporary competition venue, Mr. Chua mentioned that the cost is still being finalized but is expected to be in line with other host cities’ expenses. He emphasized the importance of delivering a positive event experience while being cost-effective. Additionally, there are plans to repurpose the temporary facility for future events and athlete training to maximize its utility and offset the staging costs.
In response to concerns over rising costs, Mr. Chua highlighted the efforts to secure sponsorships and reduce expenses carefully. He underlined the importance of sponsorships in defraying operational costs and revealed that significant cash sponsorships have already been committed by entities such as OCBC, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, and Trans-Eurokars Mazda, amounting to around S$5 million.
Mr. Chua emphasized the significance of local support for the success of the Championships, urging Singaporeans to unite and showcase their capabilities to the world. With ongoing efforts to manage costs efficiently and engage with sponsors, the organizers aim to deliver a memorable event that Singapore can take pride in.
