Hong Kong attractions join together to form industry association

This week's Asian Attractions Expo in Hong Kong will mark the public revealing of the new Hong Kong Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (HKAAPA). 

The new Association marks the coming together of Hong Kong attractions for mutual benefit, with the nine founding members of HKAAPA aiming to boost the quantity and coordination of local tourist attractions.

HKAAPA President-Elect Paul Pei (widely known and respected as Executive Director of Sales and Marketing at Ocean Park) explains that the Association aims to represent its members for their mutual benefit, stating that "although in the past five to ten years, the attractions industry in Hong Kong has absolutely taken off."

Pei, who has worked at Ocean Park for 12 years, has seen this growth. He explains that ten years ago, roughly three million people went to Ocean Park – then the only theme park in Hong Kong.

Now more than 13 million people are going to Hong Kong theme parks, including Hong Kong Disneyland, which opened in 2005.

Pei says International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has played an instrumental role in helping establish the association by providing manuals and advice from staff. 

IAAPA Asia Pacific Vice President Andrew Lee has been involved in helping HKAAPA since its initial planning stages.

Hong King-based Lee explains "national associations are important for us; they are in a sense our vehicle on the ground.

"This is the first national association I've helped set up since taking this job, so I wanted to take a very hands-on role." 

Most countries in the Asia-Pacific have their own national attractions associations: China, India, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines while the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) has also given help to the new Association.

Lee says IAAPA has plans to help tourism leaders in emerging Asian tourist markets to establish more associations. Vietnam does not currently have an association, but after Hong Kong's association is up and running, Lee would like to help launch an association there. 

Paul Pei believes the timing is right for HKAAPA adding "it's a very opportune time for us. We really have critical mass. We hope to stimulate more travel and encourage more people to come to Hong Kong and visit this wonderful place."

HKAAPA's member sites are scattered throughout the bustling city, connected via Hong Kong's convenient network of public transportation.

Aside from Ocean Park, which opened in 1977, the other HKAAPA founding members are:

The Hong Kong Jockey Club - one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, it has been entertaining local residents and visitors to the former British colony with action-packed horse races since its founding in 1884.

The Peak Tram takes tourists up Victoria Peak on a funicular track to sweeping vistas of the harbor surrounding the highest point on Hong Kong Island. 

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong - also situated at the top of Victoria Peak .

DHL Balloon (operated by the company Future Leisure since 2010) has become a notable icon situated near where construction of the West Kowloon Cultural District is set to transform the peninsula into an international arts hub. The balloon takes tourists on short rides above Kowloon.

The Sky 100 observation deck provides views from the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong's tallest building. 

Hong Kong Disneyland – its opening in Hong Kong in 2005 signaled a watershed moment in the growth of local tourist attractions. The park is located on Lantau Island (the site of Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok International Airport.

Ngong Ping 360 - also located on Lantau, the attraction offers sightseers an unforgettable cable car ride over water and up the lush mountainside to the Po Lin Monastery and iconic Tian Tan Buddha, the world's largest seated outdoor Buddha. 

Noah's Ark Eco-Park and Adventure Area - located on the smaller island of Ma Wan near Lantau.

For more information go to www.hkaapa.org