24 h. ago Hong Kong Ocean Park ‘not ruling out’ Water World closure to cut losses

Hong Kong Ocean Park does not rule out shutting down its Water World facility to prevent further deficit and will “actively consider” if the government is willing to take over operating rights, its chairman has revealed. Paulo Pong Kin-yee admitted on Thursday that the theme park’s HK$274.7 million (US$31.8 million) deficit over the past year was primarily driven by its water attraction. When asked whether the park would close the facility to balance the books, Pong said the option was not off...

Politics

24 h. ago Hong Kong’s Ocean Park could close Water World to plug losses, boss says

Hong Kong’s Ocean Park could shut down its Water World facility to prevent further losses and would “actively consider” any government offer to take it over, its chairman revealed on Thursday. Paulo Pong Kin-yee said that the theme park’s HK$274.7 million (US$31.8 million) deficit over the past year was primarily driven by its water attraction. Asked whether the park would close the facility to balance the books, Pong said the option was not off the table. “I do not dare completely deny this...

Economics

50 h. ago Pandas give Hong Kong’s Ocean Park boost but deficit worsens to HK$275 million

The fervour for giant pandas and their cubs in Hong Kong brought in more visitors and revenue to Ocean Park, their home, but other expenses ate into its financial health and worsened its deficit last year. The theme park’s deficit widened to HK$274.7 million (US$31.8 million) in the 12 months to June 30 from HK$71.6 million in the same period a year earlier, due to higher expenses such as depreciation, at HK$414 million, according to a document it submitted to the Legislative Council on...

Economics

2 w. ago Hong Kong customs seizes HK$170 million of smuggled items from cargo containers

Hong Kong customs authorities have seized HK$170 million (US$21.84 million) worth of smuggled items including computers and watches from two ocean-going vessels heading to Indonesia and Malaysia. The operation was launched following intelligence analysis and risk assessment, which indicated that criminal syndicates were planning to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods out of Hong Kong. Investigators subsequently targeted four cargo containers scheduled to depart for Indonesia and Malaysia,...

Economics

3 w. ago Hong Kong’s Ocean Park fixes Halloween display after Abby Choi murder reference

Hong Kong’s Ocean Park has modified a controversial Halloween installation after public concerns over its possible association with the Abby Choi murder case, with the park’s chairman calling it “a lesson learned”. Chairman Paulo Pong Kin-yee said on Monday that the park had adjusted its haunted house installation after the media preview and before the public opening to ensure visitors would not associate it with real crime cases. But he stopped short of revealing what details had been...

Events

4 w. ago Ragasa wreaks havoc in Hong Kong, with Ocean Park hotel breached by waves

Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaked havoc across Hong Kong on Wednesday, with strong waves shattering the glass doors of an Ocean Park hotel, and violent winds blowing a barge ashore and tearing air conditioning units from homes. Dubbed the “king of storms” by mainland weather authorities, Ragasa maintained winds of 220km/h (137mph) near its centre when the No 8 warning signal was issued on Tuesday afternoon. The signal was raised to No 9 and then to No 10 early on Wednesday, when it was closest to...

Society

4 w. ago Ragasa wreaks havoc in Hong Kong; waves breach Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel

Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaked havoc across Hong Kong on Wednesday, with strong waves shattering the glass doors of an Ocean Park hotel and violent winds blowing a barge ashore and tearing air-conditioning units from homes. Dubbed the “king of storms” by mainland Chinese weather authorities, Ragasa maintained winds of 220km/h (137mph) near its centre when the No 8 warning signal was issued on Tuesday afternoon. The signal was raised to No 9 and then to No 10 early on Wednesday, when it was closest...

Society