If Singapore can reinvent Sentosa, Hong Kong can reinvent Ocean Park

a bridge over a body of water with a mountain in the background: An aerial view of Ocean Park in Aberdeen, currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Winson Wong

© SCMP
An aerial look at of Ocean Park in Aberdeen, currently shut because of to the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Winson Wong

I refer to the proposed reinvention of Ocean Park as a vacation resort and leisure place. Reform has extended been unavoidable for the Hong Kong theme park, considering the drop in earnings and tourism around the previous six years. The proposal for the “rebirth of Ocean Park” made me imagine of Sentosa.

For a very long time in Singapore, locals joked that Sentosa stood for “So Pricey and Nothing at all To See Also”. But looking at how Sentosa has reworked itself with environment-class sights and an built-in resort, reinventing Ocean Park definitely can make sense.

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In addition, the existence of the two Chimelong topic park resorts in Zhuhai and Guangzhou – equally are in close proximity to Hong Kong, and very similar to but less costly than Ocean Park – undoubtedly counts as an external danger to Hong Kong’s household-developed theme park.

Now that Ocean Park is decided to remake alone, it should do it right. For positive, there are a lot of sources that can be taken benefit of.

First, Hong Kong, as a world-class delivery and air travel hub, has normally been a top rated tourist and transit location. In the meantime, with the opening of the South Island Line of the MTR in 2016, the park is a lot more accessible than at any time. Moreover, Ocean Park Marriott Resort opened in 2019. All these have laid the foundation for an built-in resort, not not like Sentosa – just insert aspects like conference facilities, amusement, retail outlets and high-quality dining.

As grand as this blueprint seems, Ocean Park ought to also do it right by engaging the neighborhood current market. Community journey is probably to be in terrific demand in the in close proximity to future mainly because of Covid-19 and in this article in Hong Kong, people today extended for cost-effective but large-good quality leisure places.

Ocean Park can not develop into just yet another Hong Kong searching shopping mall

Thirdly, the park is not only a showcase of animals, but also an animal conservation and training centre for our upcoming era. It ought to differentiate itself from other people in the region by continuing to be a major non-gain centre of animal treatment and exploration.

Sentosa must be an example for Ocean Park to adhere to. Transformation takes time, and Ocean Park warrants extra time to rebuild a collective memory for all in Hong Kong.

Chen Min, Mong Kok

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This report at first appeared on the South China Early morning Submit (www.scmp.com), the major information media reporting on China and Asia.

Tags: Hong, Kong, Ocean, park, reinvent, Sentosa, Singapore