Thursday, March 28, 2024

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Announces Planned Marvel Themed Area at HK Disneyland and Indoor Waterpark at Ocean Park

The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang (second left), held a press conference February 27 at Central Government Offices, Tamar, after delivering the 2013-14 Budget at the Legislative Council.  Courtesy The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang (second left), held a press conference February 27 at Central Government Offices, Tamar, after delivering the 2013-14 Budget at the Legislative Council. Courtesy The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Hong Kong (February 28, 2013) — The following remarks about tourism development were made by John C Tsang, Financial Secretary of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, on February 27, 2013 as part a  presentation on the 2013-2014 Government Budget.

Tourism is another mainstay of our economy, employing some 230 000 people and accounting for 4.5 per cent of GDP.  In 2012, there were over 48 million visitors to Hong Kong, an increase of 16 per cent over 2011.  Despite the gloomy global economic outlook, total spending associated with inbound tourism increased 16.5 per cent to exceed $300 billion.

Buoyant tourism will undoubtedly put pressure on our control points, hotels, tourist attractions and shopping centres.  To sustain the healthy development of the tourism industry, we need to devote more efforts to enhancing tourism infrastructure, hotel supply, market promotion, service support, etc.

Last year, I announced that the Government would look into the further development of Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland.  Ocean Park is the winner of the prestigious 2012 Applause Award, the first-ever Asian attraction to be recognised as the best theme park in the world.  To further enhance its facilities, Ocean Park will build an all-weather Water World at Tai Shue Wan.  The Government will offer a $2.3 billion loan to Ocean Park to spur early commencement of the project.  We shall submit a funding proposal to the Finance Committee in the next few months.  In the coming few years, Hong Kong Disneyland will launch a new night-time parade and put in place a themed area featuring “Marvel heroes”, the first of its kind in the world.  These new projects will be funded by the Disneyland’s operating surplus.  Meanwhile, the two theme parks are actively pursuing new hotel projects to provide better complementary services for tourists.

The terminal building and the first berth of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal will be commissioned in the middle of this year.  Preparations are in full swing for the Terminal to receive its first liner, Mariner of the Seas with a capacity of 3 840 passengers, on 12 June.  Meanwhile, we are actively working with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to promote cruise tourism, and collaborate with the travel trade and neighbouring ports on itinerary development and regional co-operation.  We aim to exploit the potential of cruise tourism in Asia Pacific and attract more high-spending cruise trip visitors to Hong Kong, so as to reinforce our position as a regional cruise hub.

Increasing the supply of hotels will help enhance receiving capacity and service quality.  Currently, there are over 210 hotels in Hong Kong, providing more than 67 000 rooms.  The Government has been working to make available more hotel rooms through various measures, including providing “hotel only” sites.  As at end-2012, 13 applications for redevelopment or wholesale conversion of industrial buildings into hotels were approved by the Lands Department.  It is estimated that some 10 000 new hotel rooms will be provided this year and next year.

Following my proposal to extend the operation of the Mega Events Fund last year, we sponsored several major international events, including the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival and the Hong Kong Open Championship (golf tournament).  We shall continue to sponsor more international mega events to be held in Hong Kong through the Fund, and use the existing mechanism to subsidise mega events hosted by local non-profit-making organisations.  In recent years, our neighbouring cities have organised mega events, such as the Formula 1 Races and overseas NBA games.  We shall take the initiative to seek to host more mega events.

In the coming few years, large-scale tourist facilities will come on stream, and there will be major events funded by the Mega Events Fund or hosted in other forms.  I believe that the tourism industry will continue to flourish and spur growth in other service sectors, including food and beverage, retail and transport, creating many employment opportunities.

 

Ocean Park Response to the Government’s support of the Water Park development:

Ocean Park is delighted to have received support from the HKSAR Government in the form of a loan amounting to HK$2.3 billion to finance the development of a world-class water park, subject to the approval of the Finance Committee of Legislative Council.  As Hong Kong’s homegrown theme park, Ocean Park is extremely grateful for HKSAR Government’s continual support during our evolution into a landmark tourist destination.

To be located at the picturesque Tai Shue Wan, the all-weather water park will be able to accommodate a maximum of 15,000 visitors per day. This water park will be an architectural icon in Hong Kong, as it will feature a translucent and sweeping roof, along with first class facilities and services.  The water park will have state-of-the-art water rides, a variety of attractions, as well as unique and innovative experiences for locals and guests from around the world. It is expected to be opened to the public in the 2nd half of 2017.

Countless memories and precious moments of the Hong Kong community were previously intertwined with Ocean Park’s original Water World for years. Now, the people of Hong Kong can eagerly anticipate the return of a place that they have missed so dearly, and will have a chance to create future lasting and fond memories very soon.

Building on our legacy of offering the world’s best theme park experience, which was recently validated by the presentation of the Liseberg Applause Award, Ocean Park will continue to be focused on education, conservation, and entertainment. The new water park will be conscientiously designed with environmental sensitivities and will integrate effective educational, as well as conservation oriented components in its family entertainment offerings.

The proposed construction of an all-season water park together with a complementary retail, dining and entertainment area will diversify and strengthen Ocean Park’s position as a top-tier tourism destination in the region.  As a multi-park offering, Ocean Park will be able to encourage longer lengths of stay amongst visitors both in the Park and in Hong Kong, thereby elevating the destination market presence locally and throughout the region. As the only local water park, this development will cater to the needs and demands for such services from the local market, as well as offer the depth of tourism infrastructure that continues to make Hong Kong a desired destination. This development is projected to contribute significantly to the local economy and drastically stimulate industry growth – it is estimated to create 2,900 jobs, as well as generate HK$842 million in tourism growth, for the local economy by 2018.

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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