LCQ1:Operation of HK Disneyland
******************************* Following is the question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (October 26):
Question:
With regard to the operation of Hong Kong Disneyland (HKD) which opened on the 12th of last month, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the average daily attendance of HKD in its first month of operation, and how this compares to the forecast attendance; if the attendance is unsatisfactory, how the relevant authorities will step up promotion of HKD;
(b) of the respective percentages of local residents, Mainland tourists and overseas tourists among the visitors to HKD;
(c) of the number of complaints from visitors so far received by the relevant authorities, details of these complaints as well as follow-up actions taken;
(d) of the total number of breakdowns of the amusement rides in HKD since its opening, details and causes of such breakdowns, and whether they have resulted in any injuries to visitors; and
(e) whether the HKD authorities will consider offering annual passes at a concessionary price; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) & (b) The Hongkong International Theme Parks Ltd (HKITP) has advised that park attendance and visitor mix figures are commercially sensitive information; and it has been the practice of The Walt Disney Company not to disclose such information for its theme parks. As a listed company, The Walt Disney Company will disclose the performance of its theme parks in its annual report.
HKITP is optimistic about the full year attendance. Guest surveys conducted by the Hongkong International Theme Parks Ltd (HKITP) in the first month of operation show that over 80% of the guests have rated the overall experience at Hong Kong Disneyland as very good or excellent. Similarly, over 80% of the Hong Kong Disneyland hotel guests were satisfied with their stay at the hotels and more than half said that they intended to make a return visit.
(c) Up to 21 October 2005, the Tourism Commission and the Hong Kong Tourism Board have received 3 complaints or suggestions from park visitors of the Hong Kong Disneyland. Of these, one case is related to the arrangement of the Rehearsal Days; one case is about ticketing service, and one case is about performance of theme park staff. The complaints have been referred to the management of the Hong Kong Disneyland for follow up and reply.
We have also consulted the Consumer Council, who has advised that it is their policy not to release complaint figures on individual companies.
The day-to-day operation of the Hong Kong Disneyland is the responsibility of the Hong Kong Disneyland Management Ltd (Management Company). According to the Management Company, they have received both compliments and suggestions for improvements. They take these comments seriously and would take follow-up actions. For example, in the light of feedback from visitors during the Rehearsal Days, the Management Company has added more than 600 seats in the restaurants, brought in additional mobile food and beverage stalls as well as outdoor benches and seats, and added new photo spots to meet customers' needs.
(d) The safety of visitors is the top priority of the Management Company. It enforces rigorous safety standards in the planning, maintenance and operation of the attractions; and implements a safety inspection and maintenance programme. According to the statistics of the Management Company, the amusement rides in the theme park are in normal operation more than 99% of the time.
To enable close monitoring of the operation of the amusement rides of the Hong Kong Disneyland, HKITP is required to report all cases of suspension of amusement rides to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), which will follow up on the reported incidents to ensure the safe operation of the amusement rides. Since the opening of the theme park to the 18th of this month, HKITP has filed 50 reports where the rides were brought to a halt because of technical reasons, or the triggering of the safety protection system due to external interferences or guest behaviour, but no passengers were injured. There were another 6 reports which involved guests reporting feeling sick or having minor injuries which caused the operation of the rides to be temporarily suspended.
(e) The Hong Kong Disneyland is still in its initial operation period and has no plans to offer annual passes at this stage. However, the Management Company will review the visit pattern of guests from time to time and introduce new ticket products having regard to the market situation.
******************************* Following is the question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (October 26):
Question:
With regard to the operation of Hong Kong Disneyland (HKD) which opened on the 12th of last month, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the average daily attendance of HKD in its first month of operation, and how this compares to the forecast attendance; if the attendance is unsatisfactory, how the relevant authorities will step up promotion of HKD;
(b) of the respective percentages of local residents, Mainland tourists and overseas tourists among the visitors to HKD;
(c) of the number of complaints from visitors so far received by the relevant authorities, details of these complaints as well as follow-up actions taken;
(d) of the total number of breakdowns of the amusement rides in HKD since its opening, details and causes of such breakdowns, and whether they have resulted in any injuries to visitors; and
(e) whether the HKD authorities will consider offering annual passes at a concessionary price; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) & (b) The Hongkong International Theme Parks Ltd (HKITP) has advised that park attendance and visitor mix figures are commercially sensitive information; and it has been the practice of The Walt Disney Company not to disclose such information for its theme parks. As a listed company, The Walt Disney Company will disclose the performance of its theme parks in its annual report.
HKITP is optimistic about the full year attendance. Guest surveys conducted by the Hongkong International Theme Parks Ltd (HKITP) in the first month of operation show that over 80% of the guests have rated the overall experience at Hong Kong Disneyland as very good or excellent. Similarly, over 80% of the Hong Kong Disneyland hotel guests were satisfied with their stay at the hotels and more than half said that they intended to make a return visit.
(c) Up to 21 October 2005, the Tourism Commission and the Hong Kong Tourism Board have received 3 complaints or suggestions from park visitors of the Hong Kong Disneyland. Of these, one case is related to the arrangement of the Rehearsal Days; one case is about ticketing service, and one case is about performance of theme park staff. The complaints have been referred to the management of the Hong Kong Disneyland for follow up and reply.
We have also consulted the Consumer Council, who has advised that it is their policy not to release complaint figures on individual companies.
The day-to-day operation of the Hong Kong Disneyland is the responsibility of the Hong Kong Disneyland Management Ltd (Management Company). According to the Management Company, they have received both compliments and suggestions for improvements. They take these comments seriously and would take follow-up actions. For example, in the light of feedback from visitors during the Rehearsal Days, the Management Company has added more than 600 seats in the restaurants, brought in additional mobile food and beverage stalls as well as outdoor benches and seats, and added new photo spots to meet customers' needs.
(d) The safety of visitors is the top priority of the Management Company. It enforces rigorous safety standards in the planning, maintenance and operation of the attractions; and implements a safety inspection and maintenance programme. According to the statistics of the Management Company, the amusement rides in the theme park are in normal operation more than 99% of the time.
To enable close monitoring of the operation of the amusement rides of the Hong Kong Disneyland, HKITP is required to report all cases of suspension of amusement rides to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), which will follow up on the reported incidents to ensure the safe operation of the amusement rides. Since the opening of the theme park to the 18th of this month, HKITP has filed 50 reports where the rides were brought to a halt because of technical reasons, or the triggering of the safety protection system due to external interferences or guest behaviour, but no passengers were injured. There were another 6 reports which involved guests reporting feeling sick or having minor injuries which caused the operation of the rides to be temporarily suspended.
(e) The Hong Kong Disneyland is still in its initial operation period and has no plans to offer annual passes at this stage. However, the Management Company will review the visit pattern of guests from time to time and introduce new ticket products having regard to the market situation.
Ends/Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:46
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