When Hong Kong Disneyland opened in September 2005 it was viewed as a major tourism cash cow that would help drive the city's economy.
The wholly government-owned Ocean Park, with a mandate to provide public recreation and education, faced intense competition. But it has risen to the challenge.
For the past three financial years it has beaten Disneyland on number of visitors, and has also made - with the exception of last year - increasing net profits. The figure has risen from HK$119.5 million in 2005-06 to HK$204.7 million in 2007-08. Even in 2008-09, despite the financial downturn, it still registered a net profit of HK$98.6 million.
Visitors to Ocean Park have grown from 4.38 million in 2005-06 to 4.8 million in 2008-09.
Hong Kong Inbound Tour Operators' Association chairman Simon Hau Suk-kei said Ocean Park had certain advantages over the Disney venue.
It had been established for 33 years and was better known to overseas visitors, whereas Disneyland had only been operating for four years, he said.
