TTG ASIA MARCH 2019
REPORT: THEME PARKS 10
Asia’s thrills and spills
As some countries anticipate new openings, others see familiar faces upping their game with the help of
technology, new rides and attractions. TTG Asia reporters find out what this all means to the travel trade
Hong Kong – ruled by duo
While Ocean Park Hong Kong and
Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL)
remain the city’s key theme parks in
the absence of new players, inbound
agents are urging greater promotion
of these two destinations in South-
east Asian markets.
Holiday World Tours, managing
director Paul Leung, noted that the
new developments expected to open
this year at both parks “are not huge”
and may not be enough to attract
new visitor sources or sustain traffic.
“After Ocean Park debuted its
new hotel (Hong Kong Ocean Park
Marriott Hotel) last year, the park
doesn’t have many new facilities
coming online this year,” said Leung.
“Meanwhile, Hong Kong Disneyland
suspended the fireworks at night and
lost its charm.”
Likewise, W Travel, managing di-
rector, Wing Wong observed no big
change on source of clients, explain-
ing that new park additions appear
to be driving more repeat visits.
Ocean Park plans to launch a ride
enhancement, a new ride and a new
animal exhibit in the fiscal year of
2019/20. The Lagoon area will also
welcome additions including new
light shows, a Thai restaurant and
Neptune’s Restaurant.
Meanwhile, the long-awaited Wa-
ter World will be introduced in 2019.
Along with the new Ocean Park Mar-
riott Hotel, these are expected to put
the park in a better position to attract
more visitors.
HKDL’s vice president for com-
mercial strategy Edward Goh told
TTG Asia: “We will present a new at-
traction almost every year under the
ongoing multi-year expansion. This
Clockwise from
above left: The
Kubarango in
Sunway Lagoon;
HeadRock VR
opened 11 VR
rides in Resorts
World Sentosa;
artist impres-
sion of Ant-Man
and The Wasp:
Nano Battle!
Singapore – a virtual state of fun
While large-scale openings are rare
in land-scarce Singapore, the nation
has seen a slate of new technological
additions to established parks, as well
as smaller, contained attractions en-
tering the scene.
Judy Lum, general manager of
Diethelm Travel (Singapore), said
such advancements in theme parks
have “increased the product range”
old, are working to keep things fresh
for visitors.
Arokia Das Anthony, director at
Luxury Tours Malaysia, said theme
parks are leveraging augmented and
virtual reality experiences to stand
out from the competition.
He pointed out: “Sunway Lagoon
Theme Park in Sunway City, Petaling
Jaya, is the oldest theme park in the
Klang Valley but it remains relevant
and popular as it caters to all ages
and segments, including business
events. Its Surf Beach, for example, is
a popular venue for gala dinners and
live concerts.
“(Sunway Lagoon) keeps up with
times and constantly introduces new
attractions and activities in line with
current trends and festivities to make
it a top-of-mind destination for
theme park goers.
“(Their efforts) have made it easi-
er for us to package Sunway Lagoon
into our itineraries,” said Anthony. –
S Puvaneswary
Malaysia - more fun, longer stays
The opening of two new theme parks
in Johor, the indoor MCM Studio
and outdoor Desaru Coast Adven-
ture Waterpark, has helped agents
sell extended itineraries that include
Malaysia’s southern region.
Adam Kamal, general manager at
Tour East Malaysia, said Johor was
previously a day trip option for fami-
lies travelling to Singapore by land,
or as for those travelling from Singa-
pore to Kuala Lumpur.
With the opening of both theme
parks last year, it is now easier to
promote Johor for one- or two-night
stays, especially to Asian families.
He said: “They could spend one day
in Desaru and another day in Johor
Bahru, visiting MCM Studio and
other attractions in the city.”
Ally Bhoonee, executive director at
World Avenues, is promoting Johor
as a destination to Middle Eastern
families, using the two new parks as a
draw. “However, the main challenge
is that the destination is not well-
known to Middle Eastern travellers,
who are more familiar with Kuala
Lumpur, Resorts World Genting and
Penang,” he said.
“There are other theme parks in
Johor such as Legoland Malaysia
Resort, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and
Angry Birds Activity Park, but those
are for young children.
“However, MCM Studio and De-
saru Coast Adventure Waterpark
have opened the destination up to
millennials and adults from Asia and
Africa, which are also our core mar-
kets. Besides the theme park, there
are also surrounding attractions that
will make appeal to tourists from
Asia and Africa such as shopping,
soft adventure activities and food.”
Meanwhile, theme parks, new and
year, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano
Battle! will debut on March 31, 2019.
This will be the world’s first attrac-
tion featuring Marvel Super Heroes
Ant-Man and the Wasp, and the first
Marvel-themed attraction to feature
a female superhero as a lead charac-
ter, available only at HKDL. The at-
traction will appeal to guests of all
ages and genders, especially young
adults.”
On top of these enhancments,
agents agreed that more overseas
promotion is needed, especially in
South-east Asian markets.
Leung further called for greater
collaboration on package design
within the industry. “(Without a
push for) group tour business, in-
dustry cooperation is vital. This is es-
pecially true as OTAs compete head
to head with us... Stakeholders such
as hotels, airlines and attractions
should create packages rather than
depend (all on) inbound agents.” –
Prudence Lui