(8 September – Hong Kong) Ocean Park chairman, Dr Allan Zeman, announced that the Park will put more resources into Ocean Park Academy (OPA), the Park’s education arm, at a value of HK$2 million over the next four years, to enable a maximum of 5,000 students from underprivileged families annually to enjoy, free of charge, OPA’s interactive nature programmes. Ocean Park will also take the concession for holders of the Registration Card for People With Disabilities (the Card) one step further by offering them free admission to the Park. These two enhanced caring initiatives will take effect on 1 October, the same day the Park will adjust general admission and SmartFun annual pass fees.
The last general admission adjustment was made in April 2004. The new general admission will be $208 for adults, and $103 for children aged between three and 11.
Dr Zeman said “We fully understand it is sometimes difficult when prices are raised, and we are addressing this by our 11 caring initiatives, so that we are always accessible to everyone, including people from underprivileged circumstances.”
One of these caring initiatives is the $20 Ocean Park Social Care Ticket, which enables people from organisations registered with the Social Welfare Department to visit the Park on a $20 ticket.” In fact, 30,000 people experienced the Park’s offerings under this scheme last year,” said Dr. Zeman.
“On top of this, all senior citizens with the Hong Kong ID card can enjoy free admission to the Park any time, while every Hong Kong ID card holder can visit the Park for free on their birthday under our Birthday Promotion. These are our efforts to enable every Hong Kong person to get a chance to come to Ocean Park, and this is something very important to us” he said.
Meanwhile, SmartFun annual pass fees for new purchases will be adjusted as well. (More details at back). Ocean Park will keep the renewal rate at the current price for a limited time, and eligible SmartFun members can take advantage of this by renewing their memberships as soon as possible.
OPA, which runs over 1,200 classes each year for 45,000 students from kindergarten to Form Five levels, last year subsidized the course fees for nearly 500 students. With the enhanced feature, the number of free places is increased to 5,000 per year.
“To facilitate learning about nature is what Ocean Park stands for, and we are excited to be able to open up more opportunities,” said Dr. Zeman
Since March 2006, holders of the Registration Cards for People with Disabilities and a caregiver have been enjoying half price entry to Ocean Park. As of 1 October, holders of the Card can enter free and their caregivers will still be able to enjoy half price admission.
“Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s people’s park, and it is incumbent upon us to develop more social inclusion initiatives,” said Dr Zeman.
All the other caring initiatives the Park is currently implementing will remain. These include concessionary rates for students on school tours, and supporting the annual IDDP Day, organized by the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities, and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, with free admission for 4,000 of their members and families.
Other than the concessionary admissions and caring initiatives, one dollar from every admission ticket sold is donated to the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong (OPCFHK). Furthermore, Ocean Park donates to OPCFHK all proceeds from admission revenue received on Conservation Day, typically taking place on the second Saturday in January every year. Throughout the year the Park also contributes proceeds from panda related retail sales and animal encounter programmes to OPCFHK.
Ocean Park is a not-for-profit statutory body, and does not receive any government subvention. Dr Zeman said that the price level has remained unchanged for nearly four years and it is time for an adjustment. “Ocean Park is a socially-responsible body, and we must find a balance between pricing, value and the rising costs of doing business. These include costs associated with the need to maintain the Park, as well as those that allow us to effectively meet our financial obligations for the redevelopment of Ocean Park. Additionally, it is imperative for us to keep an appropriate cash reserve.”
“We are excited about the enhancements to our caring initiatives, and we really look forward to seeing even more Hong Kong people come to Ocean Park and to learn about and connect with nature,” Dr Zeman said.
About Ocean Park
Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s unique home-grown theme park with a heritage of delivering family fun and fond memories. Since its opening in January 1977 as a non-profit organization, Ocean Park has developed itself to be a world-class attraction connecting people with nature, and recognized for its animal husbandry, research and relationship with the community. Over 80 million people have visited Hong Kong's premier park since its inception and Ocean Park has remained committed to offer adults and children experiences that blend entertainment with education and conservation.
