Mount Faber Leisure Group (MFLG) stands at the forefront of Singapore’s leisure and lifestyle sector, curating an exceptional mix of attractions, dining, and entertainment. Its portfolio features iconic experiences, including the Singapore Cable Car, SkyHelix Sentosa, Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony, and the vibrant Central Beach Bazaar.
At Mount Faber Peak, visitors can soak in breathtaking panoramic views from over 100 meters above sea level. The destination boasts diverse dining options, from the tranquil Arbora @ Mount Faber Peak to the sophisticated Dusk @ Mount Faber Peak and the elegant Mirabilis Bar. Each venue offers a distinct culinary experience, set against lush greenery and scenic vistas.
Beyond its renowned attractions, MFLG delivers unique experiences that redefine leisure. The Sentosa Island Bus Tour immerses guests in the island’s transformation journey, while the Cable Car Sky Dining elevates mealtime with stunning aerial views.
For events, MFLG offers exclusive venues that overlook Mount Faber Peak and Sentosa Island—ideal settings for both grand celebrations and corporate gatherings. Furthermore, through these immersive offerings, the group consistently crafts unforgettable experiences that showcase Singapore’s natural beauty and vibrant charm.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Jennifer Wong, Deputy Director, Commercial, Mount Faber Leisure Group, delves into the rebranding of their captivating outdoor night show and the fresh elements introduced to their attractions. She shares audience responses to these enhancements, reflects on the transition from pre-COVID to post-COVID visitor engagement, and highlights the rising influence of Indian travellers in MFLG’s expanding market share. She also outlines key initiatives designed to drive growth and sustain momentum. Here are the top takeaways from her insightful discussion.
Q: What prompted MFLG the rebranding of Wings of Time to Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony? Could you share insights into the new elements being introduced and your strategy for engaging a broader audience?
A: The name remains largely unchanged, except for two key words at the end—Fireworks Symphony. Since February 1st—just under two weeks ago—we’ve made significant enhancements to the show. Most notably, we’ve quadrupled the fireworks display, making it longer, more vibrant, and far more exhilarating.
As the audience watches, they experience a beautifully crafted story brought to life through a stunning blend of special effects—water sprays, fountains, laser projections, and, of course, fireworks. At its heart, the show tells the tale of two best friends—a boy and a girl. It explores themes of friendship, trust, and youthful curiosity, encouraging viewers to embrace the spirit of adventure.
Fireworks play a pivotal role, particularly at the story’s climax. We meticulously refined the sequence, adding more fireworks to create a grand, emotionally resonant finale. The result? A heartwarming conclusion that deeply connects with the audience. As they wrap up their Sentosa visit, they leave in awe—captivated by the spectacular display, touched by the narrative, and carrying with them the joy of an unforgettable experience.
Q: How has the audience responded to the enhanced experience, considering the increased fireworks, upgraded visual effects, enriched storytelling, and other creative elements you have integrated?
A: We introduced these enhancements less than two weeks ago, and the initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Guests thoroughly enjoyed the experience, with many expressing their excitement. Even local Singaporeans, familiar with the previous version, have responded enthusiastically to the transformation.
For first-time visitors, particularly Indian travellers, Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony offers a breathtaking introduction to Singapore’s attractions. While they may not have a direct comparison to the original show, they love what they see. Our experience with the Indian travel trade confirms that Wings of Time remains a staple in Singapore’s itinerary for many tourists from India.
Locals who have seen both versions appreciate the enhancements, and booking numbers reflect their growing interest. As we approach the school and summer holiday season—especially for the Indian market—we anticipate an even greater influx of visitors. With Fireworks Symphony already cemented in travel itineraries, we eagerly await the arrival of guests ready to experience this spectacular show.
Q: How has audience engagement with your events evolved from the pre-COVID era to post-COVID and the present day? Looking ahead, what are your expectations for audience trends over the next five to ten years?
A: Before COVID, most travellers visited in organized tour groups. However, we’ve since observed a shift—more visitors now prefer independent, free-and-easy travel. This trend extends beyond Indian travellers and is particularly evident in Singapore, where safety, an efficient public transport network, and language accessibility make exploration seamless.
For the Indian market, convenience goes even further. Finding authentic Indian cuisine is effortless. At MFLG, we recognized this demand and adapted accordingly. Beyond operating Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony, we run restaurants and food kiosks that serve a variety of Indian dishes, from North and South Indian cuisine to simple yet familiar meals like a traditional thali.
Pre-COVID, we didn’t offer such tailored dining options. Today, guests can enjoy everything from masala fries and pav bhaji to pani puri—even before stepping into Fireworks Symphony. This evolution reflects our deep commitment to Indian travellers, a market that now accounts for nearly 50% of our business. Understanding their needs has been integral to our growth, and we continue to enhance their experience at our attractions.
Q: Given the strengthening ties between India and Singapore in business, trade, culture, and travel, how do you view Indian audiences as a key contributor to MFLG’s business growth?
A: We firmly believe that India will continue to be one of MFLG’s top markets. As borders reopen and the pandemic recedes, travel between Singapore and India will resume. Anticipating this, we took proactive steps early on.
We were the first attraction in Singapore to dispatch a representative to India. Our colleague, a Gujarati based in Singapore, understands the Indian market far better than I do. We sent him on a month-long sales tour across tier-one, tier-two, and even select tier-three cities. We maintained this approach for two years, steadily strengthening our presence.
Today, our engagement with India has grown significantly. Instead of a single month-long visit, we now conduct shorter but more frequent trips—each lasting about two weeks, three to four times a year. We are actively expanding into more tier-two cities and have set our sights on penetrating tier-three markets.
Our goal is clear: to showcase Singapore’s diverse offerings, highlight MFLG’s unique experiences, and ensure that the Indian travel trade has direct access to the latest information.
Q: How are you engaging with the Indian market to promote the offerings of Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony?
A: We rely heavily on the travel trade to engage with the Indian market. Given the disruptions caused by COVID-19, we adapted our approach to ensure seamless collaboration.
When major travel companies like Thomas Cook launch new summer itineraries—especially those featuring our latest attraction, Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony—we step in as product experts. While principal agents promote the itineraries, they often need deeper insights into our offerings. To simplify this, we request Zoom meetings where we provide comprehensive explanations, showcase videos, and answer questions in real time.
These sessions are invaluable. Many frontline agents handling customer inquiries have never visited Singapore—some don’t even hold passports. Naturally, their curiosity extends beyond our attractions to Singapore itself. We do our best to provide thorough answers, which often leads to extensive Q&A sessions. They frequently ask, How do I explain this to my customers?
Virtual training has become a powerful tool for us. Reaching every branch across multiple cities in person would be an enormous challenge. Instead of spending months in India, we use these targeted sessions to deliver knowledge efficiently, ensuring our partners feel confident in selling Singapore’s experiences.
Q: With MFLG expanding its presence in the travel and entertainment industry, how do you envision its growth in terms of innovation and creativity?
A: We constantly ask ourselves: How can we stay relevant? Attracting first-time travellers is important, but retaining repeat visitors is equally crucial. To achieve this, we focus on innovating our core attractions—Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony and the Singapore Cable Car.
Take the Singapore Cable Car, for instance. Many destinations offer cable car rides, so differentiation is key. Since its launch in 1974, we have consistently pushed boundaries. We were one of the world’s leading cable car operators to cross a harbour rather than simply ascend a mountain. In 1988, we set a global precedent by introducing in-cabin dining—an entirely new way to experience a cable car ride.
Last year, as part of our 50th-anniversary celebrations, we went even further. Collaborating with our manufacturer, we designed and introduced SkyOrb Cabins—a revolutionary take on the traditional cable car. These spherical, chrome-finished cabins shimmer in daylight, creating the illusion of floating orbs in the sky. They feature larger-than-usual windows and a fully transparent glass floor, offering a thrilling, immersive experience. Riders don’t just admire the view; they feel suspended over lush greenery, highways, and the vast sea as they travel from Mount Faber. With enhanced ventilation and a futuristic design, SkyOrb redefines aerial travel.
Innovation, of course, requires investment. To maximize engagement, we pair our advancements with strategic campaigns. We’ve successfully run themed collaborations, such as a Pokémon experience, and are currently featuring Hello Kitty. Additionally, our Sentosa cable car line will soon unveil an exciting new thematic campaign—details of which will be shared in due time.
Beyond the ride itself, we continuously enhance the experience to resonate with Indian travellers. We introduce fresh photo points, ensuring that every visit is TikTok-worthy and Instagram-focused. We study trends, catering to the preferences of Gen Z, multi-generational families, and evolving traveller expectations. By constantly reinventing, we keep our attractions relevant, engaging, and unforgettable.
