Hong Kong Disneyland failed to meet its visitor attendance target for the second year running, a park official said yesterday, without revealing actual figures.
The Hong Kong government -- which holds a majority stake in the US$3.5 billion park -- had said on Monday that visitor numbers tumbled to just over 4 million in its second year of operation from 5.2 million a year earlier.
Disney confirmed the park had fallen short of its confidential target, but would not provide any figures.
PHOTO: AP
"In the short term, we did not achieve the attendance targets for which we had hoped. We recognize that we need to bolster our numbers," Hong Kong Disneyland spokeswoman Glendy Chu (朱伊蓮) said in an e-mail response.
The park, which opened on Sept. 12, 2005, attracted 5.2 million visitors in its first year -- 400,000 short of its target of 5.6 million.
It never announced a target for its second year.
The park has been heavily criticized for being too small and lacking the high-profile rides of its sister parks in Tokyo, Paris and the US.
It faces increased competition from Ocean Park, a local marine-based adventure park. There are also reports of a possible Disney theme park in Shanghai.
The government has balked at putting any more money into the theme park until it turns around its losses. The park is 57 percent owned by the Hong Kong government and 43 percent owned by the Walt Disney Co.
"We have urged the management company to continue to improve operational efficiency and devise cost-effective marketing strategies," the government said in its annual update on the operation of the park.
The park plans to introduce four "smaller-scale" attractions next year in a bid to increase the number of activities for visitors, according to the document which will be discussed at a legislative meeting on Friday.
Chu said Disney is in discussions with the Hong Kong government on the park's financial and expansion plans.
Last month, the Walt Disney Co agreed to waive management fees to support the unprofitable park for two years, and will also defer charging royalties over the same period.
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