Walt Disney’s new £1.1m theme park in Hong Kong is expected to be open by autumn 2004.
The move follows the signing of a joint venture between Walt Disney and the Hong Kong government, which is investing 57% of the development costs.
Located at Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island the theme park will also feature a 400-bed Disney hotel.
Kevin Welch, regional director Europe, Middle East and Africa for the Hong Kong Tourist Association, said he expected the bulk of the business for the new park to come from short-haul destinations in Asia.
“I think it will be an added attraction for long-haul visitors, but not the primary reason for travelling,” he said.
Meanwhile, Welch is predicting a 5% increase in UKvisitors to the territory in 2000. He reported a “marginal decrease” in numbers on the 1998 total of 326,000.