Merlin Entertainments has announced that it will take over the management of Sentosa’s well-known Images of Singapore (IOS) attraction, while also introducing its own iconic Madame Tussauds to Asia’s leading leisure destination.

Merlin has entered into a partnership with resort managers the Sentosa Development Corporation, to help upgrade the existing attraction and also install a new leading feature to the resort island in Singapore.

The two attractions will run side-by-side, with Madame Tussauds Singapore opening at Imbiah Lookout on Sentosa in 2014.

Merlin is to introduce a significant investment programme to relaunch IOS as an exciting, contemporary world-class attraction, which can be enjoyed by both local Singaporeans and international visitors of all ages.

Madame Tussauds Singapore will be Merlin’s first Singapore-based attraction, with the facility allowing visitors to meet and to interact with their heroes in waxwork form.

A Singapore-based setup is to run the attraction, with support coming from Merlin’s Asia Pacific management and global marketing teams.

The new attraction is to be uniquely tailored to reflect the culture and excitement of its Singapore and Southeast Asia location, as considerations will be made with regards to both its design and the choice of figures included.

The attraction will also be the first Tussauds outside of London to play host to its own ride reflecting the history and culture of its host region.

“Asia is currently the most important growth area of the world for Merlin, and we are delighted to be working with the Sentosa Development Corporation to not only rejuvenate and re-establish IOS, but also to bring one of our best known attractions to Singapore – Madame Tussauds,” said Meike Schulze, Divisional Director of Merlin Entertainments plc Midway Attractions in Asia.

“We have a lot of admiration for how Singapore has developed its strong tourism offering and see Sentosa as one of the leading attractions destinations in Southeast Asia. As an exciting and vibrant international hub, Singapore is the ideal location for a Madame Tussauds, and we are confident that with a touch of Merlin Magic, we will add a new element to the country’s successful entertainment offering.”

Madame Tussauds Singapore will join other popular and successful Madame Tussauds in Asia, with existing attractions currently in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Bangkok and Wuhan.

More information on Merlin is avaible here