SINGAPORE, 28 October 2024: Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and STIC Travel Group (STIC) are partnering in a one-year project to enhance Sentosa’s standing as a sustainable destination in the Indian outbound travel market.
A core component of the MOU signed during last week’s ITB Asia will present educational experiences for students in India, highlighting Sentosa’s sustainable practices and diverse ecosystems.
Michael Ma, Assistant Chief Executive, SDC (seated, left); Isha Goyal, CEO & Executive Director, STIC Travel Group (seated, right). The signing ceremony was witnessed by Chew Tiong Heng, Divisional Director (Business & Experience Development) SDC (standing, left); Anshul Gupta, Manager Product and Operation, STIC Travel Group (standing, right).
Sentosa becomes a distinctive classroom environment that fosters a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability and emphasises critical concepts such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, carbon footprint reduction, and biodiversity conservation.
This partnership builds on STIC’s broader efforts to boost educational tourism in Singapore by offering Indian students an opportunity to visit the country to explore its heritage, engage in sustainable development initiatives, and engage in interactive learning experiences.
Sustainability learning tour
Central to the Sentosa-STIC partnership is the launch of the “Unchartered Sentosa” tour, designed for overseas students to provide a real-time workshop that advocates for positive environmental change.
Slated to roll out in November 2024, Unchartered Sentosa offers Indian students a hands-on exploration of sustainability principles:
● Intertidal exploration of the Southern Shores to learn about marine conservation and coastal ecology;
● Guided nature walks along Serapong and Imbiah Trail to discover native flora and fauna in Sentosa;
● Amazing Race adventure on Sentosa and St John’s Island to educate participants on the importance and relevance of responsible consumption;
● Interactive workshops that equip participants with ocean survival skills at Lazarus Island;
● Visits to Sentosa’s sustainable attractions, such as the Cable Car and Skyline Luge;
● Eco Tour of Siloso Beach Resort demonstrating real-world applications of sustainable design and green technology.
“Our partnership with SDC aligns perfectly with STIC’s mission to offer meaningful travel experiences,” commented STIC Travel Group CEO Isha Goyal. “By combining our expertise in educational tourism with Sentosa’s sustainable practices, we create a distinct offering for Indian students to equip them with practical knowledge about sustainability that they can take back to their communities.”
The MoU’s objectives start with establishing Sentosa as an educational hub for sustainability. It will strengthen Sentosa’s positioning as a sustainable leisure, business, and education destination.
As the first island destination in Asia to be conferred the Global Sustainable Tourism Council – For Destinations certificate, Sentosa is committed to creating robust eco-conscious tourism experiences. SDC’s comprehensive sustainability approach integrates eco-friendly practices across all visitor touchpoints – leisure activities, accommodation, transport and dining – minimising environmental impact while engaging guests in sustainable initiatives throughout their Sentosa journey.
“This partnership with STIC represents a significant milestone in our efforts to promote sustainable tourism through education,” said SDC CEO Thien Kwee Eng. “By leveraging Sentosa’s ecological diversity, we’re creating a platform for students to gain hands-on experience in environmental stewardship.
The project should help boost tourist arrivals from India, Sentosa’s top source market, particularly from India’s educational travel segment.
