Hong Kong’s Ocean Park slipped into a deficit of HK$71.6 million (US$9.2 million) for the financial year ending June 30 from a HK$118.5 million surplus a year ago, despite strong growth in post-Covid revenue and visitor numbers.
An insider said on Thursday that the loss was partly because of the lack of a HK$570 million government grant, which was provided the previous financial year.
The park, home to the city’s six giant pandas, would press on with growth targets while capitalising on the bears’ presence, he added.
“The park is actively seizing the opportunities brought by the six giant pandas, by creatively launching a series of online and in-person activities and designing merchandise, culinary offerings as well as travel products related to pandas,” the source said.
“We aim to attract visitors through panda tourism to increase park attendance and revenue.”
Hong Kong has been swept by fanfare over the pandas since the summer when the park’s 19-year-old Ying Ying and male Le Le became parents of twin cubs in August. This was followed by Beijing’s gift of five-year-old An An and Ke Ke, who arrived in the city in September.
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