Quote from ABC News:
"Melbourne's Southern Star Observation Wheel has been temporarily closed because of structural concerns."
"The $40 million wheel formally opened for business about six weeks ago, and has 21 observation capsules."
Sometimes, I question all these wheels that were all modelled after the success of the London Eye. Are they all profitable? What is the return on investment? How is the effect on tourism? Is it necessarily a good idea?
Update thanks to ol' Kuoby who was back in Singapore for a visit. It was great seeing him after eight or nine years.
3 comments:
That's a good question. But I believe the one in Melbourne has slightly better potential to suceed.
The area its located in is an up and coming destination for restaurants and upmarket living. And it's very close to the city as well.
The Singapore one isn't really situated in a convenient place right now.
As far as I have been able to tell, the first Ferris wheel was at Winona, Minnesota (the place with the demolished house with lions in the yard, and the Egyptian Revival bank).
The one that followed as at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. According to the book "The Devil in the White City", this huge experimental design was built in the spot from paper only and was never tested. Passengers filled the cars as they were bolted onto the frame.
Personally, I think it is good to have an extra itinerary for tourist to visit. The last time I was there, the place is full of tourists. My mom told me how Singapore Flyer was advertised in HK. At the top, on one end, you can see Malaysia. On the other, Indonesia. And you know how tourists are like, they always like to return home and talk about the new things they see.
Give the tourists more option boost the time spent here in Singapore. So it is a good thing I guess.
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