Rising above the rest

Ocean Park has ambitious plans for expansion in the next few years with new attractions, three hotels and an MTR station on the proposed South Island Line extension either on the drawing board or already under construction.

All this should make it possible for the marine-themed amusement park to maintain its robust financial performance and, according to government projections, boost visitor numbers to about 5.8million a year by 2012 and 7million annually by 2021.

'We are transforming into a longer stay, grander destination holiday resort,' said Tom Mehrmann, Ocean Park chief executive. 'By introducing three hotels ranging from three to five stars and by increasing the length of stays, we hope to see further revenue growth.'

Each of the proposed hotels will feature a different theme, and the intention is to design, develop and operate them in collaboration with companies experienced in the hospitality sector.

The 660-room Ocean Hotel near the main entrance, the 460-room Fisherman's Wharf Hotel, and five-star 160-room Summit Hotel and Spa will enhance the appeal for overseas tourists and give a way into the lucrative business of hosting corporate meetings and conferences.

Target opening dates are in 2011 or 2012, and Mr Mehrmann is confident these new developments will allow the park to capitalise on steady expansion in the tourism sector. This has been spurred by government support as well as the establishment of attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car which, broadly speaking, are seen as complementary.

There is, though, always an element of competition in battling for the tourist dollar. Therefore, in recent years, Ocean Park has focused on enhancing attractions, upgrading rides and staging special events, which balance fun with an educational aspect and concern for the environment.

Among these will be an exhibit of 'amazing Asian animals', including pandas Ying Ying and Le Le, exotic birds and nature trails; a 'thrill mountain'; an 'aqua city' offering a close-up view of sharks; a rainforest area; and a planned 'polar adventure', which will include shows and icy attractions.

Efforts to date have paid off with income from admissions in the last fiscal year reaching HK$620million, accounting for around 65 per cent of total revenue.

According to Mr Mehrmann, one of the keys to continuing success is the emphasis placed on hiring and training. With headcounts expected to double in the next five years, this will remain a central pillar of corporate policy.

Potential recruits will have to be service-minded, but could have qualifications in anything from zoology to finance or marketing. Ocean Park has had long associations with local universities, vocational institutes and organisations for the disabled, all of which help in providing suitable candidates for specific roles.

'Our staff have a clear career development path,' Mr Mehrmann said, adding that each employee received comprehensive and continuous training in diverse disciplines to obtain any necessary certification. The company also made a point of offering a range of opportunities to promote personal development and alternative career directions.

Various courses cover areas such as leadership skills and, recently, a well-known actor was invited to instruct staff on how best to make a presentation that was informative, clear and thought-provoking.

As an employer, Ocean Park has also put in place an open and transparent process allowing staff to express their views and give constructive feedback on current issues through the intranet. There are regular sessions with the chief executive and other senior directors at which it is possible to raise queries, voice opinions and make suggestions.

Mr Mehrmann firmly believes that such sessions help to improve teamwork, minimise difficulties, and contribute to the smoother running of the operation.

'I see a very bright future in Hong Kong's hotel and tourism industry,' he said. 'There is a large portion of the 1.3billion people in the Chinese market which we still haven't tapped into. But competing against other Asian cities such as Macau or Singapore, we will have to work together to attract customers to Hong Kong.'