Your new, delightful fellow passenger on cable-car ride

Ngong Ping 360 will be decorated with Doraemon-themed cable cars and a statue of the popular Japanese character starting this month, after the site recorded a 40 percent surge in tourist numbers year-on-year, says managing director James Tung Pui-chuen.

Tung said the trend of Hongkongers heading to the mainland to shop or spend their holiday has affected the cable car business, but the company has been luring more visitors with themed activities and upgraded facilities.

This has led to an increase in both visitor count and income in the first five months of the year.

"Between January and May 19, we have seen a 40 percent surge in the number of visitors compared to February to mid-May period last year, suggesting a continuous increase after border reopening," Tung said.

"The number of visitors has reached 95 percent of prepandemic level in 2018, which is a good result.

"Our business was affected by the bad weather during the Labour Day holiday. But on the past Buddha's Birthday, thanks to good weather, we recorded a 6 percent increase in visitor count year-on-year, which was also 25 percent higher compared to the same day in 2018."

More Thai and Filipino tourists are visiting Ngong Ping while the company is trying to attract visitors from the Middle East, he added.

"There is a halal-certified restaurant at Ngong Ping Village, as well as a prayer room, showing we have sufficient facilities to cater to Muslims' needs."

But Tung said the number of tourists from the West has yet to fully recover due to limited capacities of airlines.

He said the company saw a 27 percent increase in visitors' average consumption of cable car tickets as more opted for the pricier Crystal+ and Crystal cabins with greater views.

Currently, there are 10 almost completely transparent Crystal+ cable cars with more than 80 percent visibility, and the company has purchased another 10 cabins that will come into use in December, he said. Tung said the performance of the cable car services was affected by the trend of Hongkongers traveling to the mainland or overseas, especially during long holidays.

But the impact was minor during short holidays when Hongkongers did not have enough time to travel.

"As local customers are familiar with Ngong Ping 360, we should launch various seasonal themed activities to attract them," he said.

A Doraemon-themed event will be held at Ngong Ping 360 from this month. It will feature Doraemon-themed cable cars, installations and a 1:1 scale statue of Doraemon, which is part of the mega event "100 percent Doraemon & Friends Tour" in Hong Kong, Tung said.

The company will set up a new exhibition area featuring historical stories at Ngong Ping Village later this year, helping develop Ngong Ping 360 into an educational and cultural tourism landmark.

Tung, who took office in April, said the expansion of the individual visit scheme to cover more mainland cities enhances the promotion of Hong Kong as a good travel destination in the mainland.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com