Mickey, Cheung get ready to spread a little magic<\/p>\n
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post\/Hong Kong<\/p>\n
Christmas came early to Hong Kong and its neighboring countries
\nthis year.<\/p>\n
Even with his trademark red shorts, Mickey Mouse certainly is
\nnot Santa Claus, but during its 60 years in entertainment
\nbusiness, the Disneyland icon has succeeded in restoring the
\nchild in all.<\/p>\n
At least 600 journalists from all over the world have gathered
\nat the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on Lantau island, just 15
\nminutes' drive from the territory's international airport, as
\ncelebrities featured in Walt Disney productions began arriving on
\nSaturday to witness the grand opening of the fifth Disney theme
\npark on Monday.<\/p>\n
In addition, the Monday event is a landmark one that coincides
\nwith the 50th anniversary of the birth of Disneyland in Anaheim,
\nCalifornia -- from which the Hong Kong park draws its design.<\/p>\n
Hong Kong Disneyland is the first theme park to open in China,
\nand is a major effort in Hong Kong's aim to gain acclaim as a
\ngateway to Asia for businesspeople and holidaying families, said
\nHong Kong Special Administrative Region financial secretary Henry
\nTang.<\/p>\n
\"We're at the seventh top now... The theme park presents a
\nunique opportunity for Hong Kong to reposition itself as a
\npremier destination for family tourists,\" he said in a media
\nbriefing on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The territory's Commissioner for Tourism, Eva Cheng, added
\nthat an estimated 23.4 million visitors were expected this year
\nand 27 million in 2006 as more theme parks and tourist
\nattractions were on the way to support the country's global
\ncampaign, 2006 Discover Hong Kong.<\/p>\n
With 21.8 million visitors last year, Hong Kong made some
\nUS$11.8 billion in tourism alone.<\/p>\n
The first phase of the park and two Disney-themed hotels
\noccupies about 126 hectares and overlooks rolling hills on one
\nside and the South China Sea on the other. The Hong Kong
\ngovernment and the Walt Disney Company shared the park's
\ndevelopment cost of $1.8 billion; the government holds 57 percent
\nof shares in the park, and Disney 43 percent.<\/p>\n
Despite criticism from local media over the lack of Chinese
\nelements in the park and an investigation into alleged food
\npoisoning cases during a sneak-peek for the public last week,
\nboth the government and park management assured improved
\nservices.<\/p>\n
\"Hong Kong Disneyland is expected to attract over 5 million
\nvisitors. ...One-third from overseas, one-third from the Mainland
\nand the remaining visitors are Hong Kong residents,\" Tang said.<\/p>\n
With Disney tour packages reportedly nearly fully booked until
\nNew Year's Day, all critics must sit back, as the so-called
\ngreatest show in Asia is to go on.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mickey-cheung-get-ready-to-spread-a-little-magic-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}