Abel Sports
INTRODUCTION Abel Sports is Australia’s leading manufacturer and suppliers of Goal Posts, sports ground safety netting systems and coaches boxes for Stadiums ,Sports Clubs, Councils and…
read moreHong Kong theme park Ocean Park has introduced new digital services in a bid to attract more international visitors amid the downturn in mainland tourists coming to Hong Kong.
As of last month, the leading attraction began offering free high speed Wi-Fi in partnership with Hong Kong Broadband Network, described by Ocean Park Chairman Leo Kung as representing a “significant transformation of the Ocean Park experience by providing guests with enhanced efficiency and convenience.”
The Wi-Fi network has around 400 hotspots across the park, supporting more than 40,000 mobile devices.
Now Ocean Park has introduced a new mobile app, which Kung explains “maximises park enjoyment as well as strengthens the impact and effectiveness of our conservation and education efforts.”
In use, the new mobile app offers a virtual guided tour at various animal exhibits including The Grand Aquarium, Amazing Asian Animals, Sichuan Treasures, Shark Mystique, Marine Mammal Breeding and Research Centre, and Chinese Sturgeon Aquarium - Yangtze Exploration3. The function offers multi-lingual docent service, as well as information about nearby animal ambassadors, in the forms of texts, still images and videos for a more impactful conservation education experience.
The app also features an ‘eScheduler’, which automatically designs an itinerary according to the guests’ attraction choices, thereby saving queuing time, and ‘eCoupons’, which notifies the guest promotional offers.
With the new technology installation process having taken more than a year, Kung added “launching our park-wide Wi-Fi network and upgrading our mobile app are only the very first steps.
“We will continue to take advantage of new technologies to further enhance interactivity with guests and our service quality.”
In order to make the most of the new technology, the park has entered into a collaboration with the classic Hasbro board game Monopoly to introduce an animal discovery feature called ‘Animal Monopoly’ - which invites visitors to do a real-life treasure hunt in the park.
The promotion, which runs until mid-April, also includes interactive features on animal conservation.
After years of ongoing growth and expansion, Ocean Park saw a 14% drop in overall attendance last year while visits from mainland tour groups to the park suffered a double-digit fall during the recent Lunar New Year holiday.
While looking to diversify its guest base, Ocean Park Chief Executive Tom Mehrmann explains “(while) South East Asia is a key part of our market, mainland tourists are our largest source market (and) we want to continue to make it more convenient and easier for them to visit. Mehrmann said the park had good attendance from tourists from countries like South Korea, the Philippines and Japan.
Meanwhile, locals now represent around 30% of visitors.
With a new MTR station expected to open at the end of this year, Kung says the attraction is planning to invest more in events, games and facilities as “a continuous revolution” to attract more international tourists while keeping local ones from leaving.
10th February 2016 - DRAMATIC DECLINE IN VISITATION SEES OCEAN PARK LOSE OVER A MILLION VISITORS IN 2015
5th February 2016 - DISNEY TO PRICE SHANGHAI THEME PARK TICKETS CHEAPER THAN HONG KONG
7th November 2015 - OCEAN PARK WATERPARK TO MAKE A SPLASH IN 2018
7th October 2015 - OCEAN PARK LOOKING FORWARD TO GIANT PANDA BIRTH
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
INTRODUCTION Abel Sports is Australia’s leading manufacturer and suppliers of Goal Posts, sports ground safety netting systems and coaches boxes for Stadiums ,Sports Clubs, Councils and…
read moreAt easyemployer we've come up with a software solution that manages one of your most important, and often most costly, business resources - your staff. We are helping 100s of clients to…
read morerevolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…
read moreHydrocare Pool Services Pty Ltd offer 30 years of experience in aquatic industry features, products and water treatment. Hydrocare Pools has undertaken water treatment for aquatic centres and…
read moreAdvanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) is a world leader in the design, construction, and operation of landmark public aquariums. Led from Queensland, AAT has delivered aquarium projects in over 25…
read moreABOUT SPORTENG specialises in the Planning, Design and Construction inspection of Fields of Play for all sports. Blending engineering with the specialist knowledge gained from working closely with…
read moreYellowbox is an Australian technology company that has developed smart locker technology operated through an app with a focus on experience for users and facility managers. Found at Beaches, Aquatic…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!