‘Panda fever’ created 19% attendance boost at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park: official
Tourism minister Rosanna Law says HK$121 million has been secured from Jockey Club Charities Trust to upgrade panda enclosure
“Panda fever” has translated into a significant boost in business for Hong Kong’s Ocean Park, with the debut of several new bears leading to a 19 per cent surge in attendance year on year since their debut, according to the city’s tourism minister.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui also said in a written reply on Wednesday to lawmakers’ questions that an additional HK$121 million (US$15.4 million) had been secured from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to upgrade the pandas’ enclosures.
The move would help solidify Hong Kong’s status as a premier panda tourism destination, she added.
Hong Kong is home to six giant pandas – Ying Ying and Le Le, their twin cubs Jia Jia and De De, and An An and Ke Ke.
Beijing gifted An An and Ke Ke to Hong Kong to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty, with the bears making their debut in December last year. Jia Jia and De De were unveiled to the public in February this year.
“They have been well received by both locals and visitors, and Ocean Park’s attendance has since then increased by around 19 per cent over the same period last year,” Law said.