Covid-19 final nail in coffin for Ocean Park Halloween festival

Ocean Park's popular Halloween Fest has been canceled for the first time in two decades amid the pandemic.

The park's executive director of operations and entertainment, Timothy Ng Sau-kin, said the cancellation was "a difficult decision," but was done because the pandemic was serious and unstable.

"Because of the uncertainties, we think it is not an appropriate time. We also don't have enough time to prepare for the Halloween event, so we made this difficult decision," Ng said yesterday.

"But this is only because of the pandemic. We will actively consider bringing the event back next year."

Last year's festival pushed through - except on Halloween night, which was canceled due to the social unrest. The event was also marred by a fatal accident in 2017, when a 21-year-old died in a haunted house attraction.

The park said it will launch a "green staycation" program next month. The government has said theme parks would be allowed to reopen next Friday if the outbreak remains under control.

Visitors will get to enjoy new experiences, such as doing yoga or meditation in venues like the Grand Aquarium, hiking on the trail route under the cable cars - which was not allowed before - and camping in the park.

The theme park in Aberdeen is looking forward to launching outdoor activities after reopening, said chairman Lau Ming-wai.

"I hope people can see a significant difference and improvement after we reopen this time," he said.

Lau said the green staycation is the first part of new changes made despite limited time and resources, adding that there is niche for such holidays. He added: "It's not the final full picture. What you are seeing is just the pilot episode for what Ocean Park can be. If the public likes the pilot episode, there is a lot more potential to do it on a bigger, nicer, grander scale. That will take time and money to develop."

Its long-term plan includes offering a competitive, attractive and viable staycation proposition, "regardless of what we do with conservation and education," he said.

Lau also said the park needs to be more integrated with the Southern District and to have more local elements to fit in with the tastes of families and consumers and become a theme park for Hongkongers.

The park's purse strings remain tight despite getting HK$5.4 billion in emergency funding. The fund could last for around a year, with some staff now on no-pay leave. The park has applied for the second round of the employment support scheme.

"One cannot conclude that the park will definitely continue beyond June 2021, but one cannot dismiss it either. It's hard to say, but all we know is that the situation is critical," Lau said.

He said the water park will be completed at the end of the year and will not open this year as scheduled.

Chief executive Ysanne Chan Sein-Yu said the park will introduce a HK$498 unlimited pass, valid from October 1 to March 31 next year. Adult tickets will be 35 percent off, at HK$320, while food prices in the park will also be adjusted.

Separately, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel and AIA Vitality Park at the Central Harbourfront will reopen today.

Visitors from the same group will be seated in the same gondola with a cap of four people per cab. They must undergo temperature checks before boarding and wear a mask.

Ngong Ping 360 will resume its cable car services today. Each cabin is limited to four passengers. Indoor attractions at Ngong Ping Village, including Walking with Buddha and Motion 360, will remain closed.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com