Ocean Park prices to rise in 2016 after shocking profit result, but Hongkongers get two-months grace
Park chairman cites increased operating expenses and investment to improve visitor experience, while tourism lawmaker says more needs to be done for locals
Ocean Park will raise its entrance fees by nearly 11.6 per cent from January 1, the second tourism operator to raise its ticket price in the past three days.
An adult day ticket will be HK$385, up from HK$345, while a day pass for a child aged 3-11 will jump to HK$193, from HK$173.
Management said the fare adjustment was to service debt and make investments in the park.
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“It is driven by the need to provide financial support for increasing operating expenses,” said the park chairman, Leo Kung Lin-cheng. “It is also for necessary capital investments to enhance guest experience, and ongoing debt servicing obligations.”
The increase came after the park announced last month that its profits had more than halved – from HK$96 million in 2013, to HK$45 million last year.
However, in a bid to attract more Hongkongers to the park, the cost of annual entry passes will not rise and there will be a two-month grace period on the day pass rise for locals, who will only pay the new rate from March 1 next year.