Hong Kong Ocean Park re-development plan

[Asa]

Most local IP's might lack the international drawing power. Local IP's might not even have a proper marketing team/franchising department to work out potential projects or collaboration in a professional and efficient way. (banners/attraction design submission experience/custom props/merchandises/ads...these involves a lot of people). I don't blame local IP's since they generally don't deal with many collaboration requests...so it could be winner if it works out properly.

The local IP owners and Ocean Park don't need their own project designers. There are many companies out there that do the design work for you, all you have to do is tell them what IP you have, what you want to build and to what standard. They can do the rest. (Basically they do the same work as WDI.)

There is in fact a whole industry. Most of them can be found through this website: http://www.inparkmagazine.com/

From this Ocean Park funding episode, the loudest complaint locally is that the park seriously lack local favour. All the mainlanders have already given up on the park because of the huge and vastly superior Chimelong Zhuhai resort, and you want to go against the locals, too. Good luck with that.

[mclubber]

From this Ocean Park funding episode, the loudest complaint locally is that the park seriously lack local favour. All the mainlanders have already given up on the park because of the huge and vastly superior Chimelong Zhuhai resort, and you want to go against the locals, too. Good luck with that.

I thought the Panyu location near Guangzhou is suppose to be the best one.

[Asa]

I thought the Panyu location near Guangzhou is suppose to be the best one.

http://www.themeparx.com/chimelong-marine-science-park-chimelong-expansion/

Then you should see the above link and see how much money they are putting into it. This is opening this year and the new hotel has already opened.

How can Ocean Park compete with something like this?

[Asa]

https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1534260-20200626.htm?spTabChangeable=0

Struggling Ocean Park appoints new leadership

Cash-strapped Ocean Park has named Ysanne Chan as the theme park's new chief executive, while Lau Ming-wai has been appointed the park's chairman.

Chan is currently the park's chief financial officer and corporate secretary, while Lau is the park's deputy chairman.

They will take over from outgoing CEO Matthias Li and chairman Leo Kung from Wednesday, with a tenure of a year.

Li praised Chan as "an enlightened leader who is good at listening and accepts others’ ideas".

In a statement, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau said Lau had "profound commercial experience" and is an "eminently suitable" candidate to assume the new chairmanship.

Yau praised Kung for his "high degree of commitment and dedication to leading Ocean Park in tackling different challenges in the past six years".

Lau joined the board in July 2008 and served as the number two of the board since July 2014.

Last month, he lobbied hard for Legco to approve a HK$5.4 billion lifeline from the government for Ocean Park to repay loans in order to save it from closing down.

The park re-opened earlier this month following more than four months of forced closure due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

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Lau Ming-Wai only has a one year term. I wonder what he wants to achieve during this time. Hopefully he is a good listener and at least appoint a proper CEO with theme park experience to take charge of the park after he and Ysanne Chan leave next year.

[Asa]

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/163583/From-%22Theme-Park%E2%80%9D-to-%22Resort%E2%80%9D:-Ocean-Park-revamp

From "Theme Park” to "Resort”: Ocean Park revamp

Ocean Park will soon shift its focus from running a theme park, to become a resort-like destination for members of the public, according to Ocean Park chairman Lau Ming-wai.

The news came as the government suggested that Ocean Park will open its doors for free within the next two to three years and will only charge visitors for rides and exhibitions.

Lau said in a press conference today that citizens will soon be able to access the park for free year-round, and will only be charged separately for each facility such as animal exhibitions, the park's signature cable car and the thrill rides.

“Catering services and some of the attractions will be operated by subcontractors in the future, given the park has sufficient space to accommodate them,” said Lau.

He added that the park will focus on operating its core sectors including the animal exhibitions and the water park - which will soon be available in August or September during summer.

In the Policy Address last November, the government said it has set its focus on revitalizing Ocean Park and stepping up facilities within the vicinity as part of its plans to "invigorate Island South."

In view of this, Lau said in the future, the park will no longer be a one-day attraction for people to come and go.

“Instead, the park will be a starting point for people to explore more about Island South. We will also step into communities and schools to promote public awareness and participation in nature conservation,” said Lau.

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After Lau Ming-Wai made the announcement about Ocean Park's new direction, most commentators think it is a waste of money and the park is doomed.

[Asa]

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/4/226648/Ocean-Park-to-implement-free-admission

Ocean Park to implement free admission

The government will suggest Ocean Park open its doors for free within the next two to three years and will only charge visitors for rides and exhibitions, according to sources.

This came after the financially-troubled park received HK$3 billion in government funding last year, but the pandemic gave it another blow as it was forced to close during local waves of outbreaks.

Sources said the government will propose scrapping the HK$498 entry fee and allow tourists to enter the park free of charge.

People should pay a separate fee for each facility such as animal exhibitions, the park's signature cable car and the thrill 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," sources added.

It is understood that the catering services inside the park will be operated by subcontractors in the future and some of the attractions, such as the cable car, might cost tourists some several tens of dollars.

However, tourism sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing said the plan's effectiveness would depend on the pricing of the facilities.

"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," Yiu said.

He added that as the plan anticipates more visitors, the government might consider outsourcing some of the venues and facilities such as restaurants and thrill rides to other business establishments.

"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 said.

He expects the government will announce the suggestions in the coming few days.

This came after the 44-year-old theme park asked the government for a HK$10 billion injection early last year after running into financial difficulties, a proposal strongly opposed by lawmakers.

Ocean Park later amended the proposal to only ask the government for HK$5.4 billion to cover operating costs and pay commercial loans, which was passed in the Financial Committee. The fund is expected to be used up by the middle of this year.

In the Policy Address last November, the government said it has set its focus on revitalizing Ocean Park and stepping up facilities within the vicinity as part of its plans to "invigorate Island South."

[DairyShcam]

There is a huge competition among the parks and recreation. And Ocean Park's marketing tactics should really say something to stay on course.