Fate of Disneyland, Ocean Park hangs on Hong Kong’s tourism future
- Before decisions can be taken on the theme parks, Hong Kong needs to consider whether it even wants to revive its tourism industry, and what role it should play in its economic vision
This idea may have some superficial attraction, but there is also a considerable downside. It would deprive thousands of Hong Kong families of the opportunity of a pleasurable day out, and reduce the city’s attractiveness to international and mainland tourists.
It would also send an unfortunate signal to the international business community about Hong Kong’s openness to foreign investors and their prospects. If even one of the strongest entertainment companies in the world cannot make a go here, what hope is there for anyone else?
In local politics, you can never talk about one theme park without the other, so naturally Ocean Park came into the discussion. Its core activities are relatively low-rise so could we move that park alongside Disney to create an entertainment and tourist node?
Hong Kong’s Ocean Park to tap ‘staycation’ market with new activities
Back in 1999 when the Tourism Commission was formed, we reviewed our tourism “assets”. The conclusion then was that Ocean Park was very popular with locals but not a major draw for tourists.
What distinguished Disney, and made that investment worth considering, was that its name alone would make us a first-choice family holiday destination and attract visitors from as far away as Australasia and India. Indeed, so it proved, as Hong Kong Disneyland set out to attract custom from within Hong Kong, the mainland, and internationally in roughly equal proportions.
02:18
Hong Kong Disneyland to reopen after closing for almost five months amid pandemic
05:35
Animals at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park face uncertain future as pandemic keeps attraction closed
Personally, I would like us to keep Ocean Park, if possible. But wherever it is, and with or without a water play area, I fear it is unlikely to be commercially viable so will need a recurrent subsidy. A case can be made for support from public funds in the same way taxpayers finance other facilities operated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
But before we go down that road, we need a clear vision of what our economy should look like in the years ahead, and what place within that strategy should be occupied by the tourism sector. Resources are always limited, so what are our priorities?
Mike Rowse is the CEO of Treloar Enterprises