The operator of three theme parks in Shenzhen, which target visitors from the mainland and Hong Kong, has reduced admission charges. A one-day pass for the China Folk Culture Villages and Splendid China parks was reduced from 180 yuan (HK$170) to 120 yuan on February 1. The Window of the World park is also offering an evening pass after 7.45pm for 30 yuan. The normal day rate is 120 yuan. China Travel International Investment (CITT), which operates the three theme parks, decided to cut prices after recording 4.14 million visitors last year, down 5 per cent from 2001. Mainlanders account for 80 per cent of visitors at the three parks. Shen Zhuying, managing director of CITT, said the decline had come mainly because visitors had been lured to the Happy Kingdom park in Shenzhen when it opened its second phase in May last year. He rejected suggestions that the company had reduced prices because of a predicted aggressive pricing strategy being adopted for the Disneyland theme park in Hong Kong, due to open in 2005. Last month, Walt Disney chairman and chief executive Michael Eisner said that, although prices for the Hong Kong attraction had yet to be set, rumours of an entry fee of between $200 and $250 were at the 'high end'. The Hong Kong park expects one-third of its visitors to come from the mainland, creating direct competition with the theme parks in Shenzhen. 'We believe the opening of Disneyland will bring more visitors and boost tourism in the Pearl River Delta. Our theme parks are different from those of our rivals,' Mr Shen said.
