오션파크로 떠나는 즐거운 여행에 필요한 모든 것
Ocean Park today announced the results for its 2012/13 fiscal year that ended on 30 June 2013*, which saw the official conclusion of its 6-year Master Redevelopment Plan (MRP), culminating in new records in attendance, EBITDA and revenue, and recognition as the world’s best theme park. A record 7.7 million guests, up 9% from the previous year, experienced the full glory of the “New Ocean Park” experience, resulting in a 19% increase in revenue to $1.9 billion and 25% increase in EBITDA to $630 million, while net surplus finished at $127.2 million. The 2012/13 fiscal year was also marked by the launch of a new round of development projects, which will create thousands of new employment positions and billions in economic benefits to Hong Kong, as well as complement the completion of the MTR South Island Line in boosting the southern district’s tourism appeal.
Dr. Allan Zeman, Chairman of Ocean Park, said, “We are very happy to have completed the MRP in 2012 as planned. The redevelopment quadrupled our staff size and enabled us to make a significant contribution to the local tourism industry, including bringing to Hong Kong Asia’s first-ever Applause Award, the most prestigious international accolade in the theme park industry. Our success made it possible for us to donate a record high of HK$13.7 million for conservation and produce a new high of HK$150 million in benefit to the community through our social care programmes during 2012/13. With this being the first year of the implementation of our Carbon Footprint Strategy, we are delighted to have made good progress towards our long-term targets by recording a total carbon emission of 55,487 tons, a 2.5% year-on-year reduction.”
Dr. Zeman added, “The MRP completion also paved the way for the launch of a new round of major development projects, including Ocean Hotel and Water World. The 495-room Ocean Hotel is expected to create 3,500 new employment positions during the construction phase and about 500 permanent hospitality positions when completed. The Water World project is projected to create about 2,900 employment positions by 2018 and produce a contribution of HK$18 billion to Hong Kong’s GDP between 2014 and 2018. The new projects will position us well to benefit from opportunities offered by the evolving guest mix, which has begun shifting away from a focus on budget tours to frequent independent travellers (FITs) and local guests. When completed, the new year-round Water World will help extend the duration of guest visitation to multiple days, thereby elevating the appeal of Ocean Park as a destination resort beyond the region to the entire world. Given the popularity of water play among Hong Kong people, the new Water World will also help strengthen local attendance.”
Ocean Park also took the lead among theme parks worldwide by officially implementing its Carbon Footprint Strategy during the 2012/13 fiscal year. The Strategy mandates annual carbon audits and targets to reduce the Park’s absolute carbon emissions by 10% and carbon intensity by 25% over the next ten years, using 2011/12 as the base year. Committed to managing its impact on the environment, Ocean Park was able to achieve good progress towards its 10-year carbon reduction target. On an absolute basis, the Park recorded a carbon emission of 55,487 tons for 2012/13, which represented a reduction of 2.5% compared to 2011/12; while carbon intensity was 7.2 tonnes per 1000 visitors, which is 11.2% less than the base year.
Ocean Park continued to be a major funder of conservation projects by donating a record amount of HK$13.7 million to the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK), which supported 44 projects involving 24 species during the 2012/13 fiscal year. Complementing the opening of Polar Adventure, a world-class attraction focused on raising awareness of the impact of carbon emissions and the importance of low-carbon lifestyles, Ocean Park introduced a new donation mechanism whereby 5% of gross revenue of the new Tuxedos Restaurant was donated to OPCFHK in support of conservation projects concerning the impact of climate change.
During the 2012/13 fiscal year, over 550,000 Hong Kong residents enjoyed complimentary or generously discounted admission to Ocean Park, resulting in a benefit equivalent to HK$150 million to the community and a 5% increase compared to 2011/12. Ocean Park maintained a portfolio of 13 community care programmes, the largest among comparable theme parks worldwide, offering local residents: free admission on their birthday; free admission for seniors aged 65 years or over and all holders of the registration card for people with disabilities; half price for one care provider; and $20 admission for individuals and members of families receiving assistance from the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme.
Ocean Park again continued to support the education of local students through courses offered by the Ocean Park Academy, Hong Kong (OPAHK). A record high of over 58,000 students ranging from kindergarten to secondary 4-6 took part in some 2,900 courses, delivered under 37 different programmes. Since 1992, close to 690,000 local students have benefited from Ocean Park’s courses.
Dr. Zeman concluded, “Looking ahead, 2014 will again be a banner year for us. Shark Mystique, which is five times the size of the previous Shark Aquarium, is set to launch around the summer, while Adventures in Australia, featuring koalas and other animals from South Australia, will open towards the end of next year. We also look forward to revealing more exciting details to the public as work on Ocean Hotel and Water World proceeds. I encourage everyone to visit Ocean Park to enjoy the world’s best theme park experience and share in our excitement for the future.”
* Ocean Park’s Annual Report 2012/13 is available for download at the following location:
www.oceanpark.com.hk/doc/common/footer/ar/ophk_ar12-13.pdf
