THE HONG Kong Tourist Association should find out within the next few days whether Disney is to go ahead with plans to build a theme park in Hong Kong.
A site has already been earmarked for the park, on the island of Lantau near the new airport, and the government said a decision on proceeding with the proposal would be taken by June 30.
The HKTA estimates that a Disney theme park could attract an extra 1.5m visitors to Hong Kong initially, and it believes many other visitors would stay longer in the destination in order to visit the park. “A Disney park would be an important additional attraction for long-haul visitors, and it would further boost family travel to Hong Kong from all markets,” said an HKTA spokesman.
Visitor numbers have been on the increase since June 1998, but arrivals from the UK for the January-April period of this year were down 9.6% on the same period in 1998 to 107,783.
The slide is believed to have been caused by the fact that package-holiday prices were more expensive in the first quarter of this year than during 1998 when operators were offering four-night all-inclusive holidays for £300.
“Hong Kong still represents value for money compared to two or three years ago, but during the first quarter of this year it was more expensive than during 1998,” said the spokesman.
To try to rebuild business to pre-handover levels, the government and the HKTA have taken steps to try to make Hong Kong more affordable for overseas visitors.
In his 1999/2000 budget, financial secretary Donald Tsang waived the £4 departure tax for all transit passengers who stay less than a day in Hong Kong.
“We are hoping this will persuade more transit passengers to leave the airport and enjoy some of Hong Kong’s attractions,” said the HKTA spokesman.
“With the new express train service from the airport, it only takes 19mins to get into the centre, so a trip out of the airport is feasible even for people with only 4hrs to spare.”
In addition, the HKTA has launched a Discover Hong Kong discount programme which offers visitors 25%-30% off shopping, eating and entertainment at establishments owned by members of the HKTA (Travel Weekly, May 24).
“We feel that something like the Discover Hong Kong programme will re-establish Hong Kong as a shopper’s paradise,” said the spokesman.
The HKTA’s attempts to boost UK arrivals are expected to be aided by the news that Star Cruises will increase its capacity out of Hong Kong from September when it replaces the Pisces with the newer, larger Leo.
The ship will operate a year-round programme of three to five-day cruises which will be promoted in the UK by both Star and the HKTA.
“We are very excited by this development because we believe this will be a great draw to UK and northern European clientele,” said the spokesman. “And it helps to gets rid of the perception that Hong Kong is a gambling destination.”