WTS Travel (“WTS”) and partners have broken ground on a new resort to be launched at Changi Village using upcycled public buses. This is the first resort in Southeast Asia that will use reconstructed buses as guest rooms.
The guest rooms will provide the buses with a new lease of life and is a clear signal that the reuse, recycle and upcycle movement is not limited to individuals but can be applied to the construction and tourism sectors.
The resort will reside on the vacant State land next to Changi Village’s hawker centre.
The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by Minister Dr Maliki Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Education & Foreign Affairs and Grassroots Adviser for East Coast GRC GROs (Siglap).
The project will showcase the possibilities of upcycling and creative ideas for sustainable actions as part of the Green and Vibrant enhancements to the Changi Village leisure ecosystem while creating employment opportunities.
With The Bus Resort, there are opportunities for this resort to lead the charge to reposition Singapore’s tourism sector for differentiation through source market diversification as well as sustainable tourism.
Partners include LHN Group and Sky Win Holding.
The Bus Resort Amenities
The resort is estimated to be launched in the second quarter of 2023. Occupying over 8,600 square metres of land, and featuring 20 guest rooms, the resort will plug into the vibrant Changi Village ecosystem of F&B, retail stores and attractions such as the newly renovated Changi Village Hawker Centre, Changi East Boardwalk, Changi Chapel & Museum and Smith Marine floating kelong.
The Bus Resort will contribute to the precinct’s culture and ecosystem as a place to enjoy wellness and recuperate away from city life. Rooms will be outfitted fully to embrace the surrounding ambience with a luxurious feel.
There will also be an Events and Experiences Centre nestled within the resort, providing space for activities such as pilates, yoga and other mindfulness-focused experiences.
The new resort will also create local employment opportunities throughout all the operational and front-line levels.
Through the Bus Resort, WTS will showcase how the city and natural elements can be sustainably integrated into the reconstruction of buses into guest rooms, to provide an exceptional getaway experience that appeals to a growing segment of eco-conscious travellers.
Rejuvenating East Coast and Changi Village
The groundbreaking and the upcoming launch of The Bus Resort will revitalise tourism in Changi Village and help both domestic and international tourists discover a part of Singapore steeped in history, culinary specialties and sports activities.
Breaking boundaries with Private-Public Partnership
Facilitated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP), the First Mover Framework (FMF) enables asset-owning agencies to be more pro-enterprise by supporting a direct allocation of public assets to businesses with game-changing or novel ideas.
The PEP supported WTS in identifying a suitable space to testbed their novel idea and facilitated discussions with relevant regulatory agencies such as the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).
