CHINA: Hong Kong theme park launches polar attraction a day ahead of rivals Disneyland.

Record ID: 846028

  • Title: CHINA: Hong Kong theme park launches polar attraction a day ahead of rivals Disneyland.
  • Date: 14th July 2012
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JULY 12, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF OCEAN PARK FROM HIGH RIDE OCEAN PARK CHAIRMAN, ALAN ZEMAN, AND SUPERSTAR PERFORMER, ANDY LAU, RUNNING ON STAGE VARIOUS OF ZEMAN AND LAU ON STAGE PENGUIN SIGN HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING SPEAKING ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, SAYING: "This fits the HKS
  • Embargoed: 29th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Hong Kong
  • City:
  • Country: Hong Kong
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA5YZBFZCNAUDGU3X0QOIP0KQ1O
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Hong Kong's new leader, Leung Chun-ying, superstar entertainer, Andy Lau, and Ocean Park Chairman, Alan Zeman, launched the territory's first polar-themed attraction at a local theme park on Thursday (July 12).
    Leung said that it would empower the Hong Kong public and millions of tourists with an important conservation messages about the impact of climate change and help his new government foster a greener administration.
    "This fits the HKSAR government's policy to encourage people to place more importance to environmental conservation and sustainability. As a father of three children, I also think protecting the environment is an extremely important job so that our next generation can have good living conditions," said Leung.
    Spanning over 150,000 square feet and home to over 100 polar animals including penguins, walruses, seals, sea lions, arctic foxes and snow owls, Polar Adventure claims to be Asia's first themed area combining animals from the Antarctic and Arctic.
    But not everyone is happy with Hong Kong's latest attraction. A small protest at the entrance of the park slammed the energy wastage of the park and questioned its conservation credentials.
    Ocean Park's Chairman, Alan Zeman, said that the theme park there to educate people and encourage conservation, adding that the new structure was built using the greenest and energy efficient technology available generating 30 percent of its own electricity.
    "So we're very conscious about the environment, about what we think is the right thing and what we think is the wrong thing. So as far as I am concerned, I'm very happy with the attraction that we have and I'm sure many people learn about it," said Zeman.
    The development is the final themed area to open under Ocean Park's six-year HK 5.5 billion (USD 70.85 million) Master Redevelopment Plan (MRP), which Zeman proudly said had been completed on time and on budget.
    He also announced that Ocean Park, which opened in 1977, received a record 7.1 million guests last year, and that it had also been shortlisted among three international theme parks for the Applause Awards.
    Ocean Park's launch comes a day before Hong Kong Disneyland unveils their latest venture, Grizzly Gulch, the second in their three extra theme expansion plans.
    Ocean Park and Disneyland have been in a battle for business since Disney opened its first theme park in China seven years ago.
    Just months after the arrival of Disneyland, Ocean Park launched its six-year Master Redevelopment Plan, while Disney in turn embarked on massive expansion plans after disappointing visitor figures and a loss-making operation.
    But two new players north in China are about to stir up the Hong Kong rivalry - Shanghai Disney in 2015 and a huge new amusement park in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai by the end of next year.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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