Sudden closure of Hong Kong Observation Wheel and ride’s uncertain future upset tourists
New tenant and former operator still in discussions over fate of the attraction
The Hong Kong Observation Wheel, a major tourist attraction in Central Harbourfront, closed without warning on Wednesday as plans for its future remained uncertain.
Disappointed visitors were turned away after services did not resume on Wednesday. Earlier, a notice was put up at the site stating that operations were suspended for only two days until Tuesday.
The fate of the ride next to the Central piers is currently up in the air after the contract of operator and parent company Swiss AEX expired on August 28, and a new tenant has yet to decide if it will continue operations, according to the Development Bureau.
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Swiss AEX could not be reached for comment. On Wednesday, its website stated that the ride “is closed today” but no reasons were given for the move. The only other information provided was an email address for refund requests.
Sponsor and telecommunications provider PCCW also did not respond to inquiries.
The Tourism Board said it was not informed of the closure, and only heard about the shutdown from industry partners. It had also received inquiries from tourists.
A spokeswoman for the board said: “We have not received an official notice from the operator about its suspension,” adding that it was working with other government departments to establish more details.
On May 23 this year, new tenant The Entertainment Corporation was awarded the contract to rent the site for three years at a cost of HK$1.5 million a month, but it had yet to decide if the ride would continue, the Development Bureau said.