HONG Kong Disneyland (HKDL) is casting a spell on the regional market to get more travellers from South-east Asia, which will see it stepping up trade engagement.
Larry Leung, director – travel trade sales, HKDL, said: “We realise that visitors from South-east Asia stay an average of four to five days in Hong Kong, and when they visit HKDL, they want the full experience. Thus, it is not just about selling theme park tickets, but also rooms in our two hotel properties and promoting our F&B offerings.”
He added that HKDL and its hotels have several halal-certified food outlets to endear them to Muslim travellers as well.
Said Leung: “Since the opening of the theme park, we’ve seen stable growth from our key markets in South-east Asia, so we see the need to further step up efforts. Our liaison representatives in key markets will also intensify training, educational and marketing support to travel consultants.”
HKDL participated in a Malaysian consumer travel fair for the first time over the weekend, bringing interactive activities and performances such as Disney character-drawing, storytelling sessions and making of towel animals.
The theme park welcomed three new themed areas – Grizzly Gulch, Toy Story Land, and Mystic Point last year (TTG Asia e-Daily, March 26, 2013).
The resort appointed its first South-east Asian liaison representative in Thailand in 2007, then further extended its network by appointing local representatives in other South-east Asian markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
“We will also leverage the synergy with our parent company, The Walt Disney Company, next year with the ultimate goal of strengthening the Disney affinity and making HKDL a top-of-mind destination and driving traffic there.”
