Media Invite
I’ll be really upfront about this: When I got news that KidZania Singapore’s official airline industry partner was Qatar Airways, I was a little stumped. Like many Singaporeans, I had thought and hoped that Singapore Airlines would be the one. After all, it would make perfect sense for our national airline to helm the fort at our KidZania, no? It would also be nice to introduce the national airline we’re so proud of to tourists and to our own kids as well. I was very curious as to why and how Qatar Airways was eventually finalized as the official airline industry partner for Singapore. With those questions in my mind, I attended the press conference held yesterday at KidZania Singapore.
KidZania Singapore is located at the new Palawan City on Sentosa and is easily accessible within 5 minutes’ walk from Beach Station. After much hiatus, it’s finally confirmed to be opening in April this year, with over 30 establishments confirmed for its opening phase. If you are not familiar with the KidZania concept, it’s an indoor family edutainment centre that offers interactive learning and entertainment experience for children. Through role-plays in different jobs and industries within a city built to scale for children, the kids can pick up knowledge and skills that would stay with them for a long time. KidZania originated in Mexico and currently has 22 facilities around the world.
Why Qatar Airways?
At the press conference, the first question posed by the media to the Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, at the press conference was the controversial question of why Qatar Airways (and not Singapore Airlines)? His answer was simple – Qatar Airways has been named Airline of the Year by Skytrax 2015 and is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world right now. Their involvement in KidZania stems from their belief in igniting children’s imagination and bringing their aviation dreams to life in an educational and entertaining way. In fact, KidZania Singapore is their second KidZania collaboration and they will be announcing a third very soon. As they expand rapidly, it is also their hope to be able to do a part in boasting the industry and inspiring new blood to join them. By the end of the press conference, I was won over by Mr Akbar’s wit, intelligence and confidence. He is certainly not one who minces his words and he portrays such an air of authority that it’s hard not to be taken in by his charisma.
So what is my conclusion after hearing all that was said and announced at the press conference? It dawned upon me that while it is a nice idea to have our national airline as the official airline sponsor at KidZania Singapore, there is really no real need to harp on that. Ultimately the main purpose of KidZania is to educate and entertain our children. No matter which airline it is (it could well be Sentosa Airways!), as long as that purpose is fulfilled and our kids have a great and memorable time learning more about every industry and hopefully be inspired in one way or another, it’s good enough for me. It is after all a number game when it comes to business – The organization that deems the investment as a worthwhile one will go into the field and play. At the end of the day, it is the consumers (us, our kids!) who will benefit from the amount of resources pumped into such a development in Singapore. My humble opinion only, of course. :)
Life-sized Boeing 737!
The highlight at the press conference though was the unveiling of the full-winged life-sized Boeing 737 right smack within KidZania Singapore! We should be so proud that we are the only KidZania with a full plane body in the facility (I heard that other KidZanias only have a plane head jutting out!). This also meant that kids and parents can step right into the decommissioned plane and experience flying simulations. With the help of Zupervisors, aspiring pilots at KidZania Singapore can experience flying two of Qatar Airways’ flagship aircraft – the 787 Dreamliner and the A380 superjumbo aircraft – using state-of-the-art flight simulators. The flight simulation facility was also specially designed to demonstrate taking off and landing at Qatar Airways home base and hub, Hamad International Airport in Doha and Singapore Changi Airport. Apparently, parents will act as passengers on board while the kids would serve us as cabin crew. HOW COOL IS THAT??!
Here’s a sneak preview of what KidZania Singapore would be like!
Visitors entering KidZania Singapore will be greeted at the Qatar Airways branded airport terminal, complete with check-in desks and personnel dressed in Qatar Airways uniforms. The facility is also home to the Aviation Academy where kids can immerse themselves in the world of aviation and travel. Through the Aviation Academy, not only can kids inch closer to their dreams of becoming pilots and cabin crew, they also gain a greater appreciation for the responsibilities and skills required to be part of the airline’s operating crew.
I am really looking forward to the official opening in April so that my kids can finally have a taste of KidZania (yes, they haven’t been to any yet!). I can already foresee them going crazy and running everywhere to try everything! =D Stay tuned for the confirmed date of the opening. :)
Unique Selling Points of KidZania Singapore
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1st KidZania to be located on an island resort
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1st KidZania to house a full fuselage of a Boeing 737
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Offer experiential learning through role-play to kids to gain life skills and values
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Unrivalled in terms of Scale, Realism & Facilitation (trained Zupervisor)
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Only KidZania with a Peranakan Museum
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One of the few KidZanias around the world with a Stadium
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By 2018, KidZaniaSG will be next to a 850-room hotel, catering to both business and leisure travellers
Looks like we can be very proud of our version of KidZania – It sounds so amazing already!
Want to know which other establishments can you find at KidZania Singapore? Read more on their website!
