Hong Kong’s Ocean Park revamp in the works
Hong Kong’s cash-strapped Ocean Park is planning to completely revise its current business model.
The theme park has been struggling long before the start of the pandemic and extreme measures are being considered.
Local media reports the government is proposing to scrap the HK$498 entry fee and allow visitors free entry.
They would then pay for individual attractions within the park such as the animal exhibitions, the cable car and the theme park rides.
"The government might propose the park to allow visitors to enter the park for free and charge them separately to visit different venues including the Grand Aquarium or the Giant Panda Adventure attraction," a source was quoted by the Standard.
The operation of some services such as park catering and possibly park rides may be offered to subcontractors.
"The effectiveness of this plan will depend on how much they charge for each facility and whether those facilities are still attractive to the public. I would suggest replacing thrill rides that are old and have lost appeal to the public," tourism industry lawmaker Yiu Si-wing said.
"Such changes in the park’s mode of operation could be a good idea and Ocean Park would not have to bear the entire park’s expenditure by itself," Yiu added.
Ocean Park received a bailout from the government last year and is expected to ask for more funds to keep it afloat while it overhauls its business model.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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