Sudden closure of Hong Kong Ferris wheel ‘hurt city’s image as international travel destination’
Hong Kong Observation Wheel, a popular spot among tourists in Central Harbourfront since 2014, was closed without warning on Wednesday
A lawmaker has rounded on the “irresponsible and chaotic handling” of a major tourist attraction in Hong Kong, saying it has hurt the city’s image as an international travel destination.
“The poor arrangement could leave visitors the impression that Hong Kong does not have a well-rounded tourism development plan,” said tourism lawmaker Yiu Si-wing.
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By Thursday, the Hong Kong Tourism Board had received 29 inquires, of which four were from visitors who left in limbo after the wheel’s sudden closure.
While a new tenant, The Entertainment Corporation, was in May awarded a contract to rent the government site for three years at HK$1.5 million a month, no plan has been raised during the past three months. The contract of the incumbent, Swiss AEX, expired on August 28.
“The government kept stressing it played no role [as the attraction was a commercial development]. But the observation wheel has become an iconic tourist attraction during the past three years, how could you adopt such attitude?” Yiu asked.
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The lawmaker was also disappointed that the government did not make any effort to smooth the transaction between operators, nor tell the public in advance – like the cable car operator Ngong Ping 360 on Lantau did when it was closed for five months to get its rope replaced earlier this year.
