“Marina Bay Sands Introduces New Guidelines for Tour Groups to Manage Visitor Flow “

Tour groups are still welcome at Marina Bay Sands (MBS), but under new guidelines effective March 16, they’re encouraged to keep moving rather than lingering on the premises. This set of rules, issued by the integrated resort, aims to “enhance the guest experience” by minimizing congestion in popular areas.

One major guideline prohibits tour groups from loitering in key spaces like the hotel lobby, convention center, and luxury shopping mall. Tour guides must also avoid using handheld signage, flags, or portable microphones within MBS. Group briefings are now recommended to be held outside or on tour coaches.

For those visiting the SkyPark Observation Deck, tour groups are asked to access it directly through the entrance at Tower 3, bypassing the hotel lobby. According to a Shin Min Daily News report, a morning visit to MBS on Saturday revealed no tour groups lingering in these restricted areas.

Retailers near the Sands Expo and Convention Centre shared that tour groups typically arrive in the afternoons and have caused no disturbances. “They actually boost foot traffic, which is positive for us,” one store employee said, mentioning he had noticed no particular noise or disruptions.

This move follows similar policies at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which announced last month that all travel agencies must pre-register online to tour the campus, with an entrance fee required for groups. The decision came after NTU students raised concerns on social media about disruptions caused by tour groups, including long queues, distractions in classes, and increased campus traffic due to buses.