Southeast Asia's first Universal Studios movie theme park featuring attractions from films like Jurassic Park and Shrek will open in Singapore on March 18, the operator said.

The park is part of the 4.4 billion US dollar Resorts World Sentosa casino complex, which opened gaming operations last month. The complex, built by Malaysia's Genting Group, is Singapore's first casino.

Asia's only other Universal Studios movie theme park is located in Japan, while the two others are in California and Florida in the United States.

The Singapore version houses seven zones of movie-themed attractions, including an area devoted to Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park, the Dreamworks movie Shrek and a version of Hollywood's famous Walk of Fame.

The park will also showcase thrill rides, Egyptian pyramids, a futuristic sci-fi city and a New York-themed attraction.

Under a phased opening, Resorts World Sentosa launched four premium hotels and a shopping and dining strip in January, followed by the casino and a convention centre last month.

Singapore gave the green light for casino gambling in 2005, hoping to boost the country's tourism appeal and draw more visitors to the city-state, which relies mainly on man-made attractions to entice tourists.

Resorts World Sentosa said 149,000 people visited its casino in the week after opening on February 14.

A marine life park, a maritime museum, a spa and two more hotels will open after 2010.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore's second casino resort, is scheduled to open on April 27, built by US-based Las Vegas Sands.

Singapore welcomed 9.7 million visitors last year, down 4.3 from 2008 as the global recession hit travel demand.