The average daily attendance is about 21,000 but during the peak season of July and August the average daily attendance increases to over 26,000 and 33,000 respectively. Attendances in recent years have been boosted by visitors from mainland China who now account for about 53% of visitors to the park, which received its one millionth visitor on 18th February 2011. The spectacular run of growth in attendances until 2013 appears all the more impressive considering the park was expected to face major competition following the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland theme park in 2005. The financial year ended 30th June 2014 recorded a slight drop in attendance to 7.6 million, attributed to a new mainland law banning "forced shopping" group tours and inclement weather during the beginning of the year and during the financial year ended 30th June 2015 a further drop in annual attendance by about 2.5% to 7.4 million was announced. Since 1987 the park has been managed by Ocean Park Corporation, a financially independent statutory body which operates the park on a "not for profit" basis with a government appointed board of trustees.įollowing a period of decline in the years up to 2004 when the future of the park was in doubt, attendances in recent years have soared and the park broke its own attendance record eight times in nine years reaching 7.7 million for the financial year ended 30th June 2013, an increase of 9% on the previous year. The park was initially a subsidiary of Hong Kong Jockey Club, which funded its construction on land donated by the Hong Kong Government. The park, which occupies an area of over 87 hectares combines attractions, entertainment, conservation and education. Located at Wong Chuk Hang near Aberdeen on the south side of Hong Kong Island, Ocean Park opened in 1977 and was Hong Kong’s first theme park.
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The park celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017 This staggering increase could be down to the film “Lost in Thailand”.Ocean Square at Ocean Park's main entrance.
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Nearly 5 million people traveled from mainland China to Thailand via tour operators and travel agencies in 2013 (85% more than in 2012). By booking flights, hotels and other self-serviced products online, the number of visitors traveling independently surpassed those who utilized organized tours to become the main force of China’s outbound tourism market. Between January and September of 2013, almost 4 million Chinese visited Thailand 3 million of them went there on their own, and roughly 80% of mainland Chinese visited Hong Kong by themselves. Many people prefer to organize their own holiday instead of using tour companies. Although still popular, the sightseeing and shopping tours are being replaced with holidays that focus on rest and relaxation.
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They are also spending more money on accommodation, food and entertainment. The image of the Chinese tourist has changed a lot over the years, from hoards of people dashing about taking photos and frantically shopping to slowly enjoying their surroundings and leisurely sightseeing. The reasons for this rapid growth are numerous and include the steadily developing economy, a growing demand in tourism, appreciation of Chinese currency, welcoming visa policies of foreign countries/regions, and the increased numbers of international flights. That’s an increase of 18% compared to the year 2012, with the outbound expenditure reaching $128.7 billion USD, an increase of 26.8% on last year. In the year, 98.19 million Chinese traveled abroad. Its status as world’s largest outbound tourism market and outbound tourism spender has been further consolidated. In 2013, China’s outbound tourism market grew rapidly.