Tom Mehrmann, CEO of Ocean Park Corporation, says the redevelopment is aimed at making it easier for guests to enjoy the attractions. 'The idea is that guests will enter and leave the park with a great opportunity of incredible food, incredible merchandise, as well as entertainment and attractions.'

The opening of Aqua City is expected to redefine the 34-year-old Ocean Park because it is the new main entrance, says Matthias Li, deputy chief executive. 'It will give our guests a strong sense of arrival. Aqua City presents a new Ocean Park to the world.'

Once guests set foot in Ocean Square, they will enter a coral reef-like fantasyland and be greeted with gigantic sculptures of surreal marine creatures shimmering with multicoloured mosaics and mirrors, including Big Red Fish, Blue Star Fish and Flying Turtle. The specially commissioned sculptures were created by renowned contemporary artist Adriana Korkos. 'The concept behind the sculptures is to create the experience,' Korkos says. 'The scale of the sculptures gives the guests opportunities to explore underneath and in between. That is how they become part of the story. This creates a unique entrance experience.'

The 5,000-square-metre Lagoon is the next focal point. 'It is the feature point for entertainment. It helps add atmosphere because there are daytime fountain shows and the evening Symbio! show,' Mehrmann says.

The concept of the park's redevelopment is based on animals, location, conservation, education, entertainment and 'generational value'. 'Ocean Park has been around for more than 30 years. Those who first came as children are now bringing their children to the park. So there is a linkage within the local community and the regional market that we want to leverage,' Mehrmann says.

Water was a major component in the redevelopment. 'Aqua City was born out of this water idea. We want to make sure that our guests arrive at a world-class destination that has an incredible entry and exit experience. Aqua City's concept evolves around the idea of merging all entrances and exits into one point. We have taken Tai Shue Wan out and have all the guests come and go at one point. In the past, the park had two entrances and two exits, and was bifurcated by a mountain. As we got the funicular transportation [Ocean Express] going within the park, it became natural that we would create a single truly differential entrance experience. Aqua City thus became the overriding concept.'

The idea was to put a water source at the single entry and exit point and move the aquarium into the area. 'Atoll Reef aquarium was considered one of the best in the world. We wanted to evolve it into a more contemporary aquarium while maintaining the heritage value of Atoll Reef. Ocean Park will have two world-class aquariums,' Mehrmann says.

Another objective was to increase the length of visitor stay. Ocean Park featured about 35 rides, shows and attractions in 2004. The park now has a sequential introduction of new facilities to complement old ones, ultimately featuring 70 rides, shows and attractions. More features will lengthen visitors' stays and the park can increase its operating hours and per-capita spending, Mehrmann says. The goal is to grow in-park spending from 30 per cent of revenue to 50 per cent. The park aims to achieve this through additional dining and retailing opportunities and other experiences that encourage guests to buy and stay. 'In 2004, our attendance [per annum] was slightly more than 3 million. It now stands at over 5.1 million, thanks to marketing, special events and the capital introduction approach. We would like to get the number up to 7 million within the next seven to eight years.'

The bulk of attendance growth is expected to come from mainland visitors, who account for 45 per cent of guests. Locals make up 45 per cent, while 10 per cent are visitors from the rest of the world. Mehrmann expects the share of mainland visitors to reach 60 per cent.

Ocean Park will always remain the Hong Kong people's park, Li says. For example, any Hong Kong residents can get free admission on their birthdays. 'We also have all sorts of programmes designed to let the underprivileged come and experience the park. For example, admission is free for senior citizens over 65. Welfare recipients only need to pay HK$20 for admission,' he adds.

Completion of the redevelopment is due next year. Already in service are the Sky Fair, Marine Mammal Research and Breeding Centre, Veterinary Centre, Amazing Asian Animals zone and the Ocean Express linking the Waterfront and Summit. Aqua City's launch will be followed by the Rainforest, Thrill Mountain and Polar Adventure.