Hong Kong government must stop giving Ocean Park and Disneyland a free ride

Albert Cheng says the 2018 Hong Kong budget has failed to deliver, and it’s time the government reassessed the city’s two loss-making theme parks that do not live up to their promises to the public

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Members of the press sample Hong Kong’s first virtual reality roller-coaster at Ocean Park in December 2017. The government announced that it plans to inject HK$310 million into the park. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 5:08pm, 8 Mar 2018Updated: 6:33pm, 8 Mar 2018

The 2018 budget has made Paul Chan Mo-po the worst financial secretary in the history of Hong Kong. With a surplus of HK$138 billion, the government trumpeted the new budget as a giveaway; however, it has received a record low rating in the latest public opinion survey. People are taking a dig at Chan for his allocation of a huge sum of money – 40 per cent of the surplus – but expending a disproportionate effort on trivial matters. Recent annual budgets have been drifting further and further away from fostering Hong Kong’s economic development.

The most controversial “relief measure” is the 10,000 free Ocean Park tickets for students, clearly a cover for bailing out the loss-making park ,which is managed by the bigwigs who supported Carrie Lam in the chief executive election. Although sources claimed the measure was suggested by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, Chan, who was foolish enough to adopt the suggestion, has only himself to blame. No one is against benefiting students; however, Ocean Park is a statutory non-profit-making public entity. The park’s construction was funded by the Jockey Club with the land provided at zero cost.

Dolphins perform with trainers at Ocean Theatre at Ocean Park. The park’s original mission was to educate the public on marine life. Photo: May Tse

Ocean Park bears the duty of educating the public about marine life. However, it seems to be targeting more visitors by expanding its entertainment rides, which defeats its initial purpose. Hence, the park should separate its entrance fee into two tiers – education and entertainment – to benefit students with an affordable entrance fee while sustaining the theme park by charging visitors a regular price.

When Michael Jackson rode roller coaster at Ocean Park Hong Kong, and took the press for a ride

In the past decade, the non-profit park has turned into a profit-oriented enterprise. Since it raised the entrance fee in July 2009, management has deviated from the initial agreement with the government. A spokesperson has said the theme park would not need any government funding.

Loss-making Disneyland is worth pinpointing as well. Disneyland has already lost over HK$900 million in the past eight years. Shamelessly, the Walt Disney Company has been charging an annual franchise and management fee – HK$59 million this year.

Guests take photos at the entrance of Hong Kong Disneyland. The park posted a loss of HK$345 million in 2017. Photo: Sam Tsang

Regardless of the charges and losses, the ultra-small-scale park has contributed very little to Hong Kong’s tourism. Disneyland in Hong Kong was expected to follow the successful footprints of Los Angeles and Florida. However, it has turned out to be a small and dull theme park which lacks distinctiveness. It fails to stand out and attract visitors, especially after the one in Shanghai opened.