LATEST INFORMATION

HKGCC FREE RIDES DAY 29th MAY 2013

To celebrate the 152nd anniversary of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) on 29th May 2013, HKGCC is again organising ‘Free Ride Day,’ which allows members of the public to ride on trams and two Star Ferry routes free of charge. This is the third year that HKGCC has organized ‘Free Ride Day,’ which has been extremely well-received in the past two years. All members of the public and tourists will be able to ride for free on 29th May (the date of HKGCC’s establishment in 1861) on any tram between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, as well as Star Ferry routes between Tsimshatsui/Central and Wanchai/Central.



DISNEYLAND'S MYSTIC POINT TO OPEN 17th MAY 2013

The final phase of Hong Kong Disneyland's current expansion plan, which commenced in 2009, will be completed on 17th May 2013 when its latest themed area, Mystic Point, opens. The new attraction features a trackless ride with 32 cars in groups of 4, controlled by radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology which travel through 13 show scenes in a haunted house, Mystic Manor, where explorer Lord Henry Mystic displays artefacts collected on his travels. The ride incorporates 40 visual effects using 36 projectors including four ultra-high-definition projectors. The area also features a themed photo area, Garden of Wonders, the 500-seat Explorers Club Restaurant and a souvenir shop.

The expansion project has increased the size of the park by over 20% and also includes two other themed areas, Toy Story Land, which opened in November 2011 and Grizzly Gulch which opened in July 2012.

In the last financial year to the end of September 2012, Hong Kong Disneyland attendances increased by 13% to 6.7 million and, for the first time since opening in 2005, the park made a net profit, amounting to HK$109 million.



POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY

All Hong Kong's post offices will be closed on the Buddha's Birthday public holiday, 17th May 2013, except the General Post Office, Connaught Place, Central, which will open from 9am to 5pm and Airport Post Office, which will open from 8am to 5pm. There will be one mail collection from street posting boxes in accordance with the public holiday arrangements as advertised on the boxes.



DISCOVERY BAY FERRY FARE INCREASE

Fares for the Central - Discovery Bay ferry service have increased by about 9.5% from 12th May 2013. Revised fares for Octopus Card users are HK$37 adult, HK$18.5 child and senior. For night sailings between midnight to 6am, Octopus fares are HK$52.7 adult, HK$33.8 child and senior. For further details of fare structure see FERRIES - OUTLYING ISLANDS



SKY100 HONG KONG OBSERVATION DECK TEMPORARY CLOSURES

Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck will be be closed to the public, for private events on 31st May 2013 (from 15-30 with last admission at 14-30) and all day on 3rd June 2013, 24th September 2013, 11th November 2013 and 12th November 2013.



HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM'S LATEST OMNIMAX SHOW

Hong Kong Space Museum's latest Omnimax show, "The Last Reef - Cities Beneath the Sea" runs from 1st May 2013 to 31st October 2013 and takes audiences on a journey to serene and tranquil underwater worlds where they can admire the amazing corals and creatures living on the coral reefs, while reflecting on the importance of conserving our ocean resources.

The 38-minute show is screened at 3-50pm and 7-20pm daily at the museum's Stanley Ho Space Theatre, and there will be an extra screening session at 12-20pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The museum is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays). Tickets at HK$24 (front stalls) and HK$32 (stalls) are available at the Hong Kong Space Museum Box Office and at all URBTIX outlets. Full-time Hong Kong students, senior citizens aged 60 or above and people with disabilities can enjoy a half-price concession. Hong Kong Space Museum is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

For full details of the show, see the museum's website;

http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Space/Programs/Omnimax/TheLastReef/e_TheLastReef.htm





OCEAN PARK OCEAN THEATRE TEMPORARY CLOSURE

Ocean Theatre, the venue for Ocean Park's "Sea Dreams" dolphin and sea lion show, will be closed for renovation from 6th May 2013 to 7th June 2013.



INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY, HONG KONG 2013

International Museum Day 2013, Hong Kong (IMD 2013, HK) will be held on 18th May and 19th May. On these two days, all museums under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) as well as other local cultural institutions taking part in this event will organise open days with free admission. IMD 2013, HK is organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History under the LCSD. The Hong Kong Design Centre is co-organising a series of creative programmes for the event. The Hong Kong Museum of History has also organised a series of cross-museum programmes for the event this year.

IMD 2013, HK has attracted participation by 39 local cultural institutes. They are the Hong Kong Museum of History and its branches; the Hong Kong Museum of Art; the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and its branches; the Hong Kong Science Museum; the Hong Kong Space Museum; the Flagstaff House Museum Of Tea Ware; the Hong Kong Film Archive; the Conservation Office under LCSD; the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre; the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre; the Art Promotion Office; the Museum of Ethnology; Asia Society Hong Kong Center; the Tung Wah Museum; the Po Leung Kuk Museum; the University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong; the Stephen Hui Geological Museum of the University of Hong Kong; the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; the Hong Kong Design Institute Gallery; the Hong Kong Maritime Museum; Dr. & Mrs. Hung Hin Shiu Museum of Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University; the Hong Kong Museum of Education of the Hong Kong Institute of Education; the Hong Kong Racing Museum; the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences; the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum; City Gallery; the Lions Nature Education Centre of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; Tao Heung Museum of Food Culture; the Police Museum; and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug Info Centre.

Most of the participating institutes will offer free admission on 18th and 19th May, except the Space Theatre of the Hong Kong Space Museum, film programmes of the Hong Kong Film Archive, the Conservation Office under LCSD and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug Info Centre will be closed on 19th May.

Participating museums have prepared a wide programmes to encourage people from all walks of life to enjoy IMD 2013, HK, to enhance public understanding of Hong Kong's history, culture, arts and science, and to stimulate greater interest in museums in Hong Kong. Full details can be found here;

http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/specials/imd2013/en/index.php

The International Council of Museums in 1977 designated 18th May of each year International Museum Day. Every year since 2001, the LCSD has organised International Museum Day, Hong Kong by mid-May with the aim of raising public awareness of the roles and functions of museums in society.



MTR FARES TO RISE FROM JUNE

MTR fares will increase by 2.7% overall with effect from June 2013 following a five-yearly review of the MTR's Fare Adjustment Mechanism (FAM) with the Hong Kong Government. Fares were last increased in June 2012, by an average of 5.4% and would have increased by 3.2% in June 2013 had a review of the FAM not been carried out. MTR will also offer a package of concessionary schemes including a new City Saver Ticket, no later than the second quarter of 2014, whereby passengers will be able to bulk pre-purchase 40 MTR rides for HK$400, to be taken within 30 days in a pre-designated urban area.

Under the new FAM, the public affordability factor cap will be based on the change in median monthly household income and any fare increase will not be higher than the corresponding figure for that year. There will also be a performance arrangement under which service disruptions lasting 31 minutes or more, except for those beyond the operator's control, will result in fines, and the amount put into the fare concession account.

Details of revised fare structure from June 2013 will be announced in due course.



OCEAN PARK INTRODUCES SCUBA DIVING PROGRAMME

Ocean Park has introduced a Grand Aquarium Scuba Diving "Unique Experience", which operates every Saturday from 20th April 2013, from 2pm to 5pm. Participants will be allowed to dive in the 5.2 million litre aquarium which contains over 5,000 fish of 450 species including hammerhead sharks, manta rays, napoleon wrasse and blue fin tuna. Each three-hour "experience" will be limited to a maximum of six people, divided into two groups of three. The programme includes a safety briefing, 30-minute dive and behind-the-scenes tour allowing participants to see the park's breeding and marine conservation work. The dive follow a pre-designated route in the water, to a maximum depth of 12 metres. Divers must be 15 years of age or over, hold a recognised diving qualification and complete a health declaration. The cost is HK$2,180 per person and five percent of the fee will be donated to the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation. For full details see;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/unique/scuba.html 



MAINLAND BORDER CLOSED AREA TO BE FURTHER REDUCED

The second stage of the reduction of the Frontier Closed Area (FCA) between Hong Kong and Shenzhen is to be implemented on 10th June 2013, opening up to the public an area of 710 hectares of land between the Lok Ma Chau border crossing and Ng Tung River. The villages, which can currently only be entered with a permit are Liu Pok, Lutheran New Village, Lok Ma Chau, Tak Yuet Lau, Ha Wan and Ma Tso Lung. Two sections of the closed border frontier area covering over 740 hectares, including the Mai Po wetlands and six villages around Shau Tau Kok have already been opened up to the public since February 2012. When the second stage of the reduction is completed in June, the FCA will have reduced from 2,800 hectares to about 1350 hectares. It will be further reduced to 400 hectares on completion of the final stage in 2015 when the “Ng Tung River to Lin Ma Hang Section” is returned to public access. However, the famous Chung Ying Street in Shau Tau Kok town, which has one side in Hong Kong and the other in Shenzhen, will remain closed for security reasons. The reduced FCA will mainly comprise Sha Tau Kok Town, Boundary Control Points and the re-aligned boundary patrol road.

The restricted zone was established by the British colonial government in 1951 as a barrier to people fleeing mainland China following the Communist Party gaining power, and entry to the closed zone has been restricted to permit holders. The government green plan for the area, announced in May 2008, envisages cycling routes between Lok Ma Chau and Lo Wu to enable people to enjoy the natural and rural landscape, fishponds and wetlands. A country park is to be built in Robin's Nest between Pat Sin Leng Country Park in Hong Kong and Wutongshan National Forest Park in Shenzhen. Hiking trails have also been proposed between Cheung Shan Monastery and Lin Ma Hang and between Lok Ma Chau to Hoo Hok Wai. There are some 300 heritage sites in the area and the government is proposing to create trails to link some of these sites. Only one small plot of land at Kong Nga Po near Man Kam To is being reserved for for residential development and this and this will be a small community with green architecture built with energy saving materials.





CITYFLYER AIRPORT BUS FLEET TO BE REPLACED

Citybus has announced that it is to replace the whole of its 15/16 year old "Cityflyer" airport bus fleet over a two-year period commencing April 2013. As well as offering enhanced environmental performance, the 66 new Alexander Dennis Enviro500 Euro5 buses will feature reclining high-back leather seats, individual reading lights above upper deck seats and larger luggage racks. Multi-functional LCD panels will display the names of the next three bus stops and hotel names, luggage rack areas will be monitored by CCTV and all buses will be equipped with free wi-fi. The first four new buses will be introduced into service in early April 2013 and about half the existing fleet is expected to have been replaced by the end of 2013. The Cityflyer fleet is being replaced two years ahead of the normal fleet replacement schedule.





LE FRENCH MAY 2013

Tickets are now available for Le French May, the major French arts festival now in its 21st year, running from 17th April to 23rd June 2013 at venues in Hong Kong and Macau. The festival, which is organised by the Consulate General of France in collaboration with the Alliance Française and supported by the Hong Kong Government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong, is dedicated to the promotion of the French arts and creativity, in order to facilitate the cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and France. The festival, for the first time focuses on one theme, the “Crazy Years” of the 1920’s and features over 500 events including opera, visual arts, dance, music, cabaret, theatre, cinema, art works in public areas, masterclasses and over 20 exhibitions. Highlight events include the works of Jean Cocteau at Hong Kong City Hall Exhibition Hall from 4th May to 9th June, Edith Piaf’s love letters performed by Clotilde Courau at Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts on 5th May and, in Macau a major exhibition “Napoleon and the Decorative Arts” at Macau Museum of Art from 18th April to 14th July.

For ticket booking arrangements and full details of festival events see;

http://www.frenchmay.com/



HONG KONG DISNEYLAND TICKET PRICE INCREASE

Admission ticket prices for Hong Kong Disneyland are to increase from 27th March 2013. The price of a 1-day ticket is increased to HK$450 (from HK$399) adult and HK$320 (from HK$285) child. 1-day admission for seniors remains unchanged at HK$100. 2-day adult tickets will cost HK$585 (HK$499), child tickets HK$415 (HK$355) and the cost of 2-day ticket for seniors is unchanged at HK$170. The price increases are deferred until 1st July 2013 for Hong Kong residents on production of ID and for tickets purchased from selected travel agents.



NGONG PING 360 CLOSURE DATES JUNE 2013

Ngong Ping 360 has announced that the cable car service linking Tung Chung with Ngong Ping will be closed to allow for planned maintenance on 26th & 27th June 2013.

The cable car service will also close for three weeks in September and for two days in early December 2013, exact dates to be announced.

During the closure period Ngong Ping Village, the "Big Buddha", Po Lin Monastery, Wisdom Path and other attractions at Ngong Ping remain open as usual.

Alternative transport between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping is New Lantao Bus Company service 23, which takes about 50 minutes;

http://www.newlantaobus.com/road_23.htm

or Lantau Island (blue) taxi, fare about HK$160 one-way, journey time about 30 minutes.



TURBOJET AND COTAI WATER JET MACAU FERRY FARE INCREASE

The Maritime Administration of Macau has approved fare increases of about 6% for Shun Tak's TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet ferry services between Macau and Hong Kong.

Cotai Water Jet fare increases take effect from 25th March 2013. Revised economy class fares from Hong Kong will be HK$160 on weekdays, HK$172 on weekends and HK$196 for night sailings. From Macau, economy fares will be HK$149, HK$162 and HK$185 for weekdays, weekends and night sailings, respectively. For full details of the revised fare structure see;

http://www.cotaijet.com.mo/sites/cotaijet.com.mo/files/page/file/newfares.pdf

TurboJET ferry fares increase from 29th March 2013. Revised economy class fares from Hong Kong will be HK$159 on weekdays, HK$172 on weekends and HK$195 for night sailings. From Macau, economy fares will be HK$148, HK$161 and HK$184 for weekdays, weekends and night sailings, respectively. For full details of the revised fare structure see;

http://www.turbojet.com.hk/en/whats-new/fare-adjustment.aspx



OCEAN PARK ANIMAL MONTH BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS

Between 29th March and 5th May 2013, Ocean Park's Mammal Breeding and Research Centre is offering nine daily behind-the-scenes tours as part of its "Animal Month in High Definition" programme. Tours include the marine centre, panda house and penguins and will operate on a "first come, first served" basis with a maximum of 20 people each tour. Participants will be asked to contribute a minimum of HK$30 to the park's conservation foundation. For full details see;

http://easter.oceanpark.com.hk/en/#/home



HONG KONG IMMIGRATION ENDS PASSPORT STAMPING

With effect from 19th March 2013 Hong Kong's Immigration Department will no longer stamp passports of arriving visitors. A non-stamping immigration clearance system is being introduced whereby all arriving visitors at immigration control points will be issued with landing slips in lieu of stamping travel documents. Upon departure, no slip will be issued and the travel documents will not be stamped. The landing slip is the same as that currently issued to Macao Smart Permanent Identity Card holders and Taiwan residents travelling under the Pre-arrival Registration arrangement. It bears the visitor's English name, travel document number, arrival date, conditions and limit of stay in Hong Kong. Visitors are advised to keep the landing slip while staying in Hong Kong. If a visitor loses the landing slip, he or she may approach in person the Extension Section at 5/F of Immigration Headquarters and be issued a replacement free of charge. Under normal circumstances, loss of a landing slip will not affect a person's departure clearance. For further information see;

http://www.immd.gov.hk/en/topical/non-stamping-immigration-clearance.html



FINAL PHASE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARE CONCESSION SCHEME INTRODUCED

The third and final phase of the Hong Kong Government's Labour and Welfare Bureau "Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities" has taken effect from 3rd March 2013. The scheme enables elderly people, age 65 and over, and eligible persons with disabilities to travel on MTR, franchised buses and ferry services at any time at a concessionary fare of HK$2 per journey. The first and second phases were introduced in June and August 2012, covering MTR and most franchised bus routes. The third phase extends the scheme to include New Lantao Bus Company routes and twenty domestic ferry services. Exceptions to the scheme are Airport Express Journeys, journeys terminating at or starting from Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau and Racecourse Stations, travel in first-class compartments on MTR East Rail Line, "A"-prefix airport bus routes, racecourse bus routes and de-luxe cabin travel on ferry services to Cheung Chau and Mui Wo (Lantau).

Elderly foreign visitors are able to enjoy the HK$2 fare concession by obtaining Elder Octopus Card. However, foreign visitors with disabilties are not eligible for the scheme.

For further details see SENIOR VISITOR CONCESSIONS.



OCEAN PARK AND HONG KONG DISNEYLAND TO BE EXPANDED WITH GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

Both Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland are to receive support from the Hong Kong Government for future expansion. The government's 2013/2014 budget makes provision for a HK$2.3 billion loan to Ocean Park for development of a new all-weather attraction, Water World, at Tai Shue Wan. There are 25 attractions planned including a pool with natural beach, water slides and a hot spring. Unlike Ocean Park's old water world, which closed in the late 1990's the new Water World will open all year round and will remain open in the evenings during the peak season, with shows and live entertainment planned. Admission tickets will be sold separately to those for the main park, with a daily capacity of 15,000 visitors and a maximum of 7,000 at any one time. Construction is expected to start before the end of 2013 and be completed by 2017.

Hong Kong Disneyland will receive funding for a new themed area featuring Marvel Comics characters, which will be located opposite Toy Story Land. It has not yet been decided which characters will be included in the new attraction, which is expected to be completed by 2016 or 2017. The park will also introduce a new night parade, which will be funded from Hong Kong Disneyland's operating surplus.



ENLARGED HONG KONG MARITIME MUSEUM REOPENS AT ITS NEW LOCATION

Hong Kong Maritime Museum has reopened at its new location, Central Ferry Pier 8, on 26th February 2013, having been closed since June 2012, when the lease on its previous premises at Murray House, Stanley expired. The new location was formerly the pier for Star Ferry services between Central and Hung Hom which ceased to operate at the end of March 2011. The museum occupies the eastern berth of the upper and lower deck levels and the whole of the public viewing deck and roof viewing deck. The western berth of the pier and upper and lower deck levels are being retained by Star Ferry Pier Company and a marriage registration company.

The non-profit making private museum was founded in 2004 by Hong Kong Shipowners Association and first opened to the public at Murray House in 2005. Since opening, the number of exhibits has increased from about 650 to over 3,000 and the library collection has increased from about 20 to over 2000 books and the museum had quickly outgrown its gallery space. The location of the museum was also considered inconvenient for educational visits, being some distance from Hong Kong's central districts and many schools. The Hong Kong Government agreed to lease the site the museum for ten years at a nominal rent of one dollar per annum and provide financial support by contributing HK$99.3 million of the HK$101.2 million cost of relocation and construction works for adapting the premises, with the museum funding the remaining costs. The Government will also contribute up to about HK$4.5 million of the estimated HK$12 -14 million annual operating costs for the first five years of operation. The new museum, which illustrates over 2,000 years of maritime history, has a floor space of over 4,000 square-metres, almost ten times the floor space of the Murray House location and features fifteen themed galleries including a viewing gallery, a special exhibitions gallery, maritime heritage resource centre and shop. A cafe will also open shortly.

The relocation and expansion has provided Hong Kong with another first-class museum and brings welcome new life the Central waterfront which has been blighted by reclamation work for many years.

For more information regarding Hong Kong Heritage Museum see MUSEUMS - HONG KONG ISLAND




KMB BUS FARE INCREASE

The Hong Kong Government's Executive Council has approved an application from Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) for a fare increase, to take effect from 17th March 2013. Fares will rise by an overall average of 4.9%. KMB had requested an increase of 8.5%.

About three-quarters of KMB passengers will either not be affected or will need to pay not more than 40 cents extra per trip. About one-quarter of passengers will need to pay 50 cents to 70 cents more per trip. Passengers who will need to pay HK$1.1 to HK$3 more per trip are only those taking racecourse services.There will be no increase in fares on jointly operated cross-harbour routes.



HONG KONG DISNEYLAND ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST PROFIT

Hong Kong Disneyland has announced its first annual profit since opening in 2005. For the financial year ending 30th September 2012, the park increased its revenue by 18% to HK$4.3 billion and generated a net profit of HK$109 million. Visitor numbers increased by 13% to 6.7 million with 45% from Mainland China, 33% local visitors and 22% from the rest of the world. The park, which is a joint venture between the Hong Kong Government and Walt Disney Company, had accumulated net losses of HK$3.8 billion up until 2012 but has increased visitor numbers since adding two new attractions Toy Story Land and Grizzly Gulch and now has 200,000 local annual pass holders. Another new attraction, Mystic Point is due to open during 2013 and the park is planning for further expansion.



MTR EAST RAIL LINE LUGGAGE WEIGHT LIMIT RESTRICTION TIGHTENED

With effect from 4th February 2013, the weight limit for passenger luggage on MTR East Rail Line is to be lowered from 32kg to 23kg for a trial period of three months. Mandatory weighing of large luggage will be extended to Tai Po Market and Fo Tan stations, in addition to Sheung Shui, Lok Ma Chau and Lo Wu Stations where mandatory weighing of luggage is already in force with scales being set up at designated entrances to these stations. Luggage must also comply with existing size limits which stipulate that passengers may carry one piece of total dimension (length, width, height) of 170cm and the length of any one side not exceeding 130cm.

The 32kg weight limit trial was implemented on 9th October 2012, initially for a period of three months, but was extended in January. The weight restrictions, which apply only to East Rail Line, have been imposed as a specific response to complaints and demonstrations from the general public in relation to the activities of cross-border parallel traders who regularly use the MTR to transport large quantities of boxes of goods weighing up to 80kg on trolleys, causing congestion within trains and outside stations and on station platforms at stations near the border. The restrictions have been tightened at the request of the government.  MTR has a dedicated By-laws Inspection Unit (BIU) of 39 members to enforce MTR By-laws at East Rail Line stations. They are supported by a team of more than 90 private security personnel and the BIU is being strengthened by another 20 members, bringing the total number of inspectors to 59.



2012 VISITOR ARRIVALS UP 16%

Hong Kong Tourism Board has announced that total visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during 2012 amounted to 48,615,113, an increase of 16% over 2011. Arrivals from Mainland China increased by over 24% to 34,911,395, about 67% of all arrivals. Of visitors from Mainland China, over 23 million travelled under the Individual Visit Scheme, introduced in 2003, which has been expanded to allow residents of 49 mainland cities to visit Hong Kong as independent travellers without the requirement to join group tours.

Visitor arrivals from short-haul destinations in 2012 were affected by the fact that many vacationers in the region cancelled their trip to Japan and, instead, visited Hong Kong following the 3.11 earthquake and related incidents in 2011, which resulted in a larger short-haul arrival base in 2011 and in turn caused the number of arrivals to reduce in 2012.  However, increases in arrivals were recorded from destinations such as South Korea, up 5.6% and the Philippines, up 7.6%.

From long-haul destinations, the sluggish performance of the European and American economies caused a slight drop in the number of arrivals. However, the UK achieved year-on-year growth of 5.3%, bringing the country’s yearly arrivals to over 530,000. Arrivals from Russia, with which Hong Kong signed a reciprocal visa abolition agreement in 2009 also showed a large increase, with arrivals up 42% to more than 186,000, making the country the fourth largest European source of visitors to Hong Kong, following the UK, France and Germany.

Total number of overnight visitors amounted to 23,770,195, an increase of 6.5%

For more detailed information on visitor arrivals by country in 2012 see ABOUT HONG KONG



NGONG PING 360 TO INTRODUCE MOBILE TICKETING

Ngong Ping 360 cable car has announced on 28th January 2013 that it is shortly to introduce an online mobile digital ticketing system which will enable visitors to avoid queuing at the Tung Chung Terminal ticket office and board directly during a pre-selected time slot. The system is being introduced following complaints about long queuing times but some tickets will still be reserved for walk-up passengers.

Free Wi-Fi is now available at the Tung Chung and Ngong Ping cable car terminals and in Ngong Ping Village.

During May and June 2013, Hong Kong senior citizens will be able to take advantage of a 50% discount on cable car ticket prices on weekdays.



DISNEYLAND BUS ROUTES R11 & R22 DISCONTINUED

Citybus bus services R11 and R22, which operate direct routes from Hong Kong Disneyland to urban areas daily, following conclusion of the Disney fireworks display, will cease to operate after 13th January 2013. As an alternative, passengers wishing to travel to urban areas by bus from Hong Kong Disneyland can take bus R8 from Hong Kong Disneyland Public Transport Interchange to the Lantau Link Toll Plaza and connect with Cityflyer services A11, A21, A22 or A29. A bus-bus interchange discount is available for passengers using Octopus Card and using service R8 to interchange at the Lantau Link Toll Plaza. More information about public transport to/from Hong Kong Disneyland is available HERE



"HONG KONG ATTRACTIONS FUN DEALS" EXTENDED THROUGH 2013

Five major Hong Kong attractions, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Ngong Ping 360, Hong Kong Wetland Park, The Peak Tram & Sky Terrace and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong have extended the "Hong Kong Attractions Fun Deals" joint promotion for another year, to run until 31st December 2013.

Visitors to any one of the five attractions are entitled to a 10% admission discount by presenting the ticket stubs at any of the other four attractions. Redemption period for valid tickets from the five attractions has been extended to 31st January 2014.

Since 2011, when the promotion was launched, over 16,000 visitors a year have taken advantage of the offer. For full details and terms and conditions see;

http://www.madametussauds.com/HongKong/en/NewsAndEvents/HK_attractions_fun_deals2013.aspx 



HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM'S LATEST 3D SKY SHOW

Hong Kong Space Museum's latest 3D Sky Show "Space Junk 3D" runs from 1st January 2013 to 30th June 2013 at the museum's Stanley Ho Space Theatre. The show takes audiences on a journey into space around Earth, revealing how space debris endangers human safety and how scientists are trying to deal with the crisis. The 37-minute show is screened daily at 2-40pm and 6-10pm with an additional screening at 11-10am on Sundays and public holidays. The museum is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays) and on the first two days of the Chinese New Year. On Chinese New Year's Eve it will close at 5pm. For further details see;

http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Space/Programs/Omnimax/SpaceJunk3D/e_SpaceJunk3D.htm




SKY100 REVISED OPENING HOURS

With effect from 3rd January 2013, the opening hours of Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck will be 10am to 8-30pm daily, with the last admission at 7-30pm.



NEXT GENERATION GOVERNMENT WI-FI (GOVWiFi) LAUNCHED

The Hong Kong Government's Next Generation GovWiFi programme was launched on 21st December 2012, following expiry of the service contract for the initial GovWiFi programme which commenced in early 2008. The programme provides free internet access from over 2,000 hotspots at over 400 government locations including public libraries, tourist spots, sports venues, cultural and recreational centres, major parks, government buildings and offices. Foreign visitors, as well as locals, are able to benefit from this free service.

Enhancements in the new programme include an extension of service to about 40 more locations including Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai Temporary Promenade, Kwun Tong Promenade, Southorn Playground, MacPherson Playground, and the new cruise terminal at Kai Tak (opening mid-2013), Kwun Tong Promenade, adoption of Wi-Fi technology standard (IEEE 802.11n), which provides better signal coverage, enables faster data transfer and reduces signal interference and support for the latest Internet communication protocol (IPv6) for accessing web sites and Internet services delivered through IPv6. For GovWiFi Locator and Premises list see;

http://www.gov.hk/en/theme/wifi/location/

For further details of Wi-Fi Internet access for visitors to Hong Kong can be found HERE



PARK ISLAND - TSEUN WAN FERRY SERVICE DISCONTINUED / TAXI RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

The Park Island Transport Company ferry service operating between the Park Island complex at Ma Wan and Tsuen Wan has ceased operating with effect from 14th December 2012. The service had been in operation for ten years but was heavily loss making. Park Island bus service NR331, offers alternative transport between Park Island and Tsuen Wan Railway Station at 20/30 minute frequency between 6am and midnight.

The Park Island ferry service operating between Park Island and Central Pier 2 continues to operate normal service.

Restrictions on taxi access to Ma Wan have been lifted with effect from 14th December 2012 and urban taxis can now serve Ma Wan 24 hours a day.

 

MTR SAME-DAY SECOND JOURNEY OCTOPUS DISCOUNT

With effect from 31st December 2012 until 30th June 2013, MTR passengers using Octopus Card for fare payment will enjoy a 10% discount on a second MTR journey made on the same day using the same Octopus Card. The discount applies to journeys made on all MTR lines and includes Light Rail and MTR bus, but does not include Airport Express journeys, First Class premium on East Rail or MTR Feeder Bus. For full details see;

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/2nd_trip.html 



MICHELIN GUIDE TO HONG KONG MACAU 2013 PUBLISHED

The Michelin Red Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2013 was published on 5th December 2012. The fifth edition of the guide, first published in 2009, awards a total of 82 stars to 61 Hong Kong dining establishments. Three-star ratings have been awarded to four restaurants all located in Central - Caprice, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana and Lung Hing Keen. Thirteen restaurants achieve two-star status include first-time entrants RyuGin (Kowloon) and Sushi Yoshitake (Sheung Wan). 48 restaurants have been awarded one-star, of which Pang's Kitchen (Happy Valley), L'altro (Central) and Zhejiang Heen (Wan Chai) are new entrants.

New eateries which feature in the guide’s Bib Gourmand category for offering good value for money, but not quite reaching one-star status include Yat Lok Restaurant in Central, AMMO in Admiralty and JoJo at Sai Kung.



NGONG PING 360 PRICE INCREASE

Ngong Ping 360 has increased prices by up to about 15% for its cable car journey tickets and packages with effect from 7th December 2012. Revised price for an adult round trip ride in a Standard Cabin is HK$135 (previously HK$125) or in Crystal Cabin HK$213 (HK$188). Single adult trip ticket in a Standard Cabin now costs HK$94 (HK$86) or in a Crystal Cabin HK$149 (HK$130). For full details of new ticket prices see;

http://www.np360.com.hk/en/booking/np360-ticketing-information.html
 


HONG KONG YEARBOOK AVAILABLE AS FREE iPad APP

From 23rd October 2012, a free iPad app of the government's Information Services Department latest yearbook "Hong Kong 2011" is available for download from the iTunes Store by searching for "Hong Kong Yearbook".

The book provides an in-depth account of government policy and activities and an overview of Hong Kong life and developments in 2011 and is a useful reference source of information. The yearbook's 21 chapters cover a wide range of subjects from the economy, commerce and industry, employment, the environment, social welfare, education and infrastructural development to culture and recreation, sports and the arts. There are 12 colour sections with over 110 photographs including those relating to the Tamar Development Project, elections, trade fairs and conferences, cultural and natural heritage, green living, new attractions, the Japan earthquake, global promotions, creative industries, the cultural kaleidoscope and sporting action. The photo sections in the app also include additional video content that can be browsed via an Internet connection.

The app is available in English and Traditional Chinese.


HONG KONG AVENUE OF COMIC STARS OPENED

Hong Kong Comic Avenue of Stars, a 100-metre path lined with statues of local comic characters in Kowloon Park was officially opened on 28th September 2012 and is expected to become a popular new tourist attraction. The avenue also features a Gallery of Comic History and Development and a Gallery of Comic Education to introduce visitors to Hong Kong comics history, the production process, tools, workshops and manuscripts.

The avenue is a three-year project sponsored by the government-funded Create Hong Kong and co-organised by Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation, Hong Kong Productivity Council, Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre, Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Arts and Culture Co-ordinating Committee of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council.

For further details see WHAT'S NEW





EXCHANGE SQUARE - STANLEY PLAZA BUS ROUTE ALTERATIONS

With effect from 17th September 2012, New World First Bus service 66, which operates between Exchange Square, Central and Stanley Plaza will become a weekday peak hours only service. Services will operate on Mondays to Fridays only, from Exchange Square at about 20-minute frequency, from 7am to 8-50am and 3-20pm to 7-30pm, and from Stanley Plaza from 6-45am to 8-50am and 3-20pm to 7-30pm at about 20-minute frequency. There will be no service on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Citybus service 6, which operates between Exchange Square, Central and Stanley Prison will be diverted to call at Stanley Plaza during weekday off-peak hours and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Services departing Exchange Square between 9am and 3-10pm on Mondays to Fridays and 8-20am to 7-30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and services departing Stanley Prison between 9am and 3pm on Mondays to Fridays and 8-20am to 7-30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays will call at Stanley Plaza.
 


MUSEUMS TO EXTEND OPENING HOURS

Following a review of museum opening hours, with effect from 1st October 2012, most of the Hong Kong Government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) run museums, heritage centres and Hong Kong Film Archive are to operate revised opening hours with some museums operating extended hours. The opening hours of the Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum will be extended to 7pm on weekends. Hong Kong Science Museum, which previously reserved the hours of 10am to 1pm on weekdays for school visits will now be open to all at 10am and continue to open until 9pm on weekends and public holidays but will bring forward its closing time to 7pm on weekdays as attendance on weekday evenings is considered low. Opening hours of branch museums (Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, Law Uk Folk Museum, Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum, Sam Tung Uk Museum, Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery and the Hong Kong Railway Museum) will be aligned from 10am to 6pm daily. Museums located in remote areas, such as the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre and the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum will operate seasonal opening hours between March and September from 10am to 6pm (an extension of one hour) and from October to February 10am to 5pm. All LCSD museums will now remain open during the Christmas and New Year period but will still close on one day a week, and on the first two days of Chinese New Year. All museums will retain their existing weekly closing day except Hong Kong Film Archive which will close on Tuesdays instead of Thursdays. Details of all LCSD museums and current and revised opening hours can be found under MUSEUMS.



AUTOTAXI SERVICE DISCONTINUED

The "AutoTAXI" service, which was a joint venture between Dah Sing Bank, Autotoll and Visa, has been discontinued from 10th September 2012. The "Intelligent Taxi Calling Service", was launched in June 2011, following a six-month trial involving 240 taxis and enabled users of Visa credit cards and Visa payWave cards to locate taxis equipped with credit card readers and to pay fares by credit card. At launch date the system, which cost HK$10,000 was installed in about 100 taxis and by the end of 2011 was believed to have been fitted to about 600 taxis. "AutoTAXI" system taxis were identified by a "white wings" symbol and were nicknamed "flying taxis".





TUEN MUN - MACAU FERRY SERVICE CEASES OPERATION

The Hong Kong North West Express (HKNWE) cross-boundary ferry service between Tuen Mun Ferry Pier and Macau, which has not operated since the company suspended services in July 2012, will not resume. The service, for which HKNWE had been seeking a licence from the Macau Government since 2003, commenced operating in April 2011 with a schedule of four daily sailings each way utilising two 278-seat fast catamarans. However, services were suspended without notice in July 2012 and the company was believed to have owed the Hong Kong Government rent in respect of Tuen Mun Ferry Pier. The government has subsequently announced that it is taking repossession of Tuen Mun Ferry Pier with effect from 10th September 2012 and ferry services between Tuen Mun and Macau will formally cease operation.

Visitors wishing to travel from Hong Kong to Macau by ferry can use China Ferry Terminal at Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon and Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal at Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island which have sufficient capacity to cope with additional passengers. For more information on ferry services to Macau see TO MACAU.



JOINT HONG KONG & SHENZHEN TRAVEL PASS TO BE LAUNCHED

Octopus Cards Limited and Shenzhentong Limited are launching a joint Hong Kong and Shenzhen cross-border card with effect from 11th September 2012. The card facilitates travel on public transport and small value purchases at many retail outlets in both cities. The Hong Kong version "Hu Tong Xing" will be available in Sold Adult version for HK$98 in Hong Kong and RMB80 in Shenzhen.

The purchase price of the card includes no useable value and is non-refundable. In Hong Kong the Hong Kong version of the card can be purchased at all MTR and Light Rail Customer Service Centres (excluding Airport Express, Racecourse and Disneyland stations) and MTR Travel (excluding Admiralty Station). In Shenzhen the Hong Kong version of the card can be purchased at Shenzhentong Customer Service Centres and sales outlets. The card combines two electronic purses in HKD and RMB in one chip and must be loaded separately in each currency for use in each city. Adding value to the pass, which is aimed at frequent travellers between the cities, will only be possible in HKD in Hong Kong and in RMB in Shenzhen.

The Shenzhen version of the card will not be introduced until late 2012. 

A limited edition of 3,800 sets of a commemorative versions of the pass was made available from 4th September 2012 priced at HK$298 in Hong Kong or RMB238 in Shenzhen, but was sold out by 6th September.

In July 2012, Octopus Cards Limited and Guangdong Lingnan Pass Company Limited launched a joint cross-border travel pass "Octopus Lingnan Pass" with dual electronic purse enabling holders to use a single card for use on public transport in Hong Kong and sixteen cities in Guangdong Province. Consideration was given to merging the three cards, Octopus Cards, Shenzhen Tong and Lingnan Pass, but owing to technical difficulties this has not been possible.



OCEAN PARK'S SKYSTAR BALLOON RIDE DISCONTINUED

Following an investigation report by the Hong Kong Government's Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) into an incident which occurred on 28th June 2012, in which Ocean Park's helium balloon ride, SkyStar, deflated injuring six people, the park has decided to discontinue this attraction. The cause of the incident, in which the balloon descended faster than the retrieving speed of 0.65 metres per second and landed about 29-metres from the landing platform, was found to be loss of helium from the balloon's rip panel joint. The EMSD report recommended that Ocean Park and the balloon's French manufacturer, Aerophile, work out a comprehensive method of inspection of the rip panel joint before allowing the balloon to resume operations. The Park also appointed an American ride safety consultancy firm, PLH Consulting, to conduct an independent investigation into the incident. Their report confirmed that Ocean Park had fully complied with the manufacturer’s routine inspection and maintenance schedule and procedures, and that the Park’s operation, maintenance, and cleaning of the balloon are ruled out as causes of the incident. However, the Park has decided to discontinue the ride, which first opened to the public in February 2007, and intends to turn the space into an event and exhibition venue.



ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION TO SIMPLIFY ENTRY FOR TAIWANESE VISITORS

From 1st September 2012, the entry process for eligible Taiwanese visitors wishing to visit Hong Kong is being simplified with the introduction the Hong Kong Immigration Department's "Pre-arrival Registration for Taiwan Residents" scheme. Each Pre-arrival Registration is valid for two months and allows two entries to Hong Kong with a stay up to 30 days as a visitor on each landing, provided the registrant meets the normal immigration requirements. The move reciprocates a similar arrangement by Taiwan for Hong Kong citizens which has been available since September 2010.

Full details of the scheme can be found on the GovHK website;

http://www.gov.hk/en/nonresidents/visarequire/general/par.htm 

Since 1st September 2011, Taiwan visitors holding a valid "Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents" （台灣居民來往大陸通行證）, commonly known as "Tai Bao Zheng" （台胞證) have been able to visit Hong Kong for 30 days, extended from 7 days, regardless of whether they possess an entry/exit endorsement for the Mainland. Visitors from Taiwan now make up the second largest group of visitors to Hong Kong, with over 2.1 million visitor arrivals in 2011 and over 1.2 million arrivals from January to July 2012.
 


CITY GALLERY OPENED

City Gallery, the first permanent planning and infrastructure gallery in Hong Kong was officially opened by Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong Government, Mrs Carrie Lam, on 20th August 2012. Located at the City Hall Annex at 3 Edinburgh Place, Central and occupying five storeys with a floor area of more than 3,200 square metres, the gallery offers a host of interactive exhibits to showcase the unique nature of Hong Kong's past and future, as well as share with the public the vision for city planning and infrastructure projects.

City Gallery replaces the Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery which was opened in 2002. The former gallery, originally located on the ground floor of the City Hall Annex Building, was closed in April 2009 for refurbishment and expansion. During the closure of the building for these works, the Gallery was relocated to the ground floor of the Murray Road Multi-storey Car Park Building before closing on 1st May 2012 pending opening of City Gallery.

For further information see WHAT'S NEW



VISA EXEMPTION FOR KAZAKHSTAN NATIONALS

With effect from 26th July 2012, Republic of Kazakhstan passport holders are able to visit Hong Kong visa-free for stays of up to 14 days. The reciprocal agreement between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Republic of Kazakhstan also allows HKSAR passport holders visa-free access to the Republic of Kazakhstan for stays of up to 14 days.



DISNEYLAND'S GRIZZLY GULCH TO OPEN 14th JULY 2012

Hong Kong Disneyland's largest themed area "Grizzly Gulch" is to open on 14th July 2012. The new attraction takes visitors on a coaster ride through a town in California at the time of the 1880's Gold Rush in a story which has been created exclusively for Hong Kong Disneyland. Grizzly Gulch is dominated by the 88-feet tall Big Grizzly Mountain which took 14 months to create. Visitors are transported through the land by 24-seat multidirectional "Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars" which travel through mountain caves where resident grizzly bears are encountered. Geysers erupt unexpectedly at Geyser Gulch, a water-based play area and Wild West entertainment can be enjoyed at Welcome Wagon Show. There are several themed photo opportunity locations including Grizzly Gulch Jail and the Assay office where visitors can have their photo taken standing next to a 3-feet high gold nugget. Lucky Nugget Saloon will offer themed food and beverage.

Grizzly Gulch is the second of three new themed areas to open under Disneyland's HK$3.63 billion major expansion which commenced in December 2009. The other two new themed areas under the expansion plan are Toy Story Land, which opened in November 2011 and Mystic Point which is expected to open in 2013.



OCEAN PARK'S POLAR ADVENTURE TO OPEN 13th JULY 2012

The latest themed zone to be completed under Ocean Park's 7-year HK$5.5 billion redevelopment plan is to open on 13th July 2012. Located at The Summit area of the park, Polar Adventure, features northern sea lions, three different species of penguins, Pacific walruses, spotted seals, four one-year old snowy owls and Arctic foxes in two themed areas, South Pole Encounter and North Pole Encounter. The zone also includes a roller coaster ride, Arctic Blast, and Tuxedos Restaurant which has panoramic views of the penguin pool.

Ocean Park has risen four places to twelfth in world theme park attendances according to the Global Attractions Attendance Report 2011 released by TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) and consultancy firm AECOM Economics. In the calendar year 2011, attendances rose by 28.7% over the previous calendar year to 6,955,000. The park, which added several new “lands” during the year and over a dozen attractions, including a major aquarium themed zone, Aqua City, Thrill Mountain and Rainforest Adventure is also ranked fifth most visited theme park in Asia.



HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM TO LAUNCH 3D DOME SHOWS

From 1st July 2012, Hong Kong Space Museum will present a brand new service: 3D dome shows. Wearing specially designed 3D glasses, audiences will be able to experience Hong Kong's first 3D dome show "Astronaut 3D" under the unique and huge hemispheric dome of the Hong Kong Space Museum, and experience a sense of the tough training astronauts endure and the challenges of space missions. Hong Kong's Leisure and Cultural Services Department has spent HK$7 million to upgrade the digital projection system of the Stanley Ho Space Theatre of the museum to create a 3D full-dome projection system. The new system consists of eight ultra-high resolution projectors and 32 high-performance computers, enabling projection of stereoscopic images with a resolution of up to 16 million pixels. Under the museum's uniquely huge hemispheric dome with a diameter of 23 metres, audiences will be surrounded by 3D images and hence experience the unsurpassed illusion of being taken to another place.

For details of the Space Museum's latest 3D dome show see MUSEUMS - KOWLOON.

In addition to renovation of the Space Theatre in 2009 and the recent upgrade of the digital projection system, the museum is carrying out a HK$32 million renovation of its exhibition halls. The renovation, which involves the Hall of Space Science and the Hall of Astronomy, has been a major development project of the museum in recent years and has reached the stage of vetting the design proposal tenders. If good progress is made, the work is expected to completed by late 2015. The renovation mainly involves renewing the exhibits. About 60 sets of exhibits, of which about 70 per cent are interactive, will be installed in a new immersive environment in the two exhibition halls, covering a total area of 1,600 square meters, in order to simulate the experience of travelling through space and time. The basic design concept for the Hall of Space Science is to make use of the existing circular and unidirectional nature of the gallery to relate the evolution of the universe. Visitors will venture into a dimmed and mysterious space environment with dynamic lighting, wall murals and elaborate decorations. A proposed "Reach for Your Star" exhibit, among others, will enable visitors to choose their own visit to any galaxy and to appreciate the starry night sky from a different perspective. The major themes of the Hall of Astronomy will be space exploration and the Sun-Earth relationship. The "How You Feel in Space" exhibit, the highlight of the proposed exhibits, will enable visitors to experience the disorientation of weightlessness in space and understand the unusual physical properties of matter by entering an upside-down virtual space station.



CROSS-BORDER JOINT OCTOPUS - LINGNAN PASS TO BE LAUNCHED

Octopus Cards Limited and Guangdong Lingnan Pass Company Limited have jointly announced the launch of their first joint cross-border cards. The co-named cards will be available for sale concurrently in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province in July 2012, allowing card holders in Hong Kong and sixteen mainland cities to travel and spend with one card that features both the Octopus and Lingnan Pass functions.

From 18th July 2012, the Sold Adult "Octopus ‧Lingnan Pass" cards will be available for sale at all MTR and Light Rail Customer Service Centres (except Airport Express, Racecourse and Disneyland Resort stations) throughout Hong Kong The Sold Adult "Octopus ‧Lingnan Pass" and the "Lingnan Pass ‧Octopus" will be sold at HK$98 and RMB80 each respectively. The "Octopus ‧Lingnan Pass" will run on a dual electronic purse model, being the Octopus Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) e-purse and the other Lingnan Pass Renminbi (RMB) e-purse. Cardholders can use the HKD e-purse in Hong Kong and the RMB e-purse in Guangdong Province. The two-in-one cards are anonymous sold cards, and cardholders can add value to the respective purses at authorised add value service points in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province respectively.



In the meantime, from 3rd July 2012, 3,000 sets of commemorative Limited Edition "Octopus ‧Lingnan Pass" cards will be distributed for public sale through the Customer Service Centres at 26 designated MTR stations. Each person can purchase up to two sets of the Limited Edition cards on a first-come, first-served basis and while stocks last. The "Octopus ‧Lingnan Pass" Limited Edition cards will be sold at HK$298 per set in Hong Kong, while the "Lingnan Pass ‧Octopus" Limited Edition cards will be sold at RMB238 at Lingnan Pass sales outlets in Guangdong Province.

The two-in-one cards can be used on public transport and at all retail outlets that accept Octopus or Lingnan Pass. Currently, Lingnan Pass can be used in sixteen cities in Mainland China including Guangzhou, Foshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Shanwei, Huizhou, Maoming, Zhuhai, Jieyang, Heyuan, Yunfu, Shaoguan, Yangjiang, Zhanjiang, Zhongshan and Qingyuan and is expected to be expanded to include other cities in Guangdong and more retail outlets. However, the new card does not include Shenzhen or the Octopus concessions currently enjoyed by students, children and the elderly in Hong Kong as well as discounts available to Octopus cardholders such as the MTR's 10-rides-for-one-free-ticket scheme.


NGONG PING 360 "360 SKY-LAND-SEA DAY PASS"

Ngong Ping 360 is introducing a "360 Sky-Land-Sea Pass" from 29th June 2012. The pass includes a Round-Trip Cable Car ticket, Monkey's Tale Theatre ticket, unlimited rides on New Lantao Bus services and a Tai O boat excursion. The pass costs from HK$180 to HK$240 for adults, depending on type of gondola chosen for the cable car ride, and offers savings of up to 30% from the original price. For further details see;

http://www.np360.com.hk/en/visitors-information/index.asp?id=127



STAR FERRY FARE INCREASE

With effect from 24th June 2012, fares for journeys both Star Ferry routes on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays increased by 40 cents for adult journeys. The concessionary fare for child (3-12) and disabled persons journeys increased by 30 cents. Weekday fares remain unchanged and, overall, it is estimated that only 32% of journeys will be affected by the increases.

Since relocation of Central Star Ferry Pier in 2006 daily patronage on the Central - Tsim Sha Tsui route has declined by about 25% to 38,000, whilst the Wan Chai - Tsim Sha Tsui route carries about 20,000 passengers a day. In March 2011 the company relinquished its two Hung Hom routes owing to heavy financial losses. Without the fare increases it is estimated the company would have incurred losses of HK$3.2 million in 2012 and HK$4.86 million in 2013. The government has agreed to provide further support by reimbursing Star Ferry for total revenue foregone for the period 24th June 2012 to end of 2013 by operating its elderly concession scheme whereby seniors age 65 and over travel free. The estimated revenue from this scheme is about HK$3.8 million a year.

Star Ferry allows bicycles only on its Wan Chai - Tsim Sha Tsui route and only on off-peak services on the lower deck. These were previously carried free of charge, but from 24th June a charge of HK$13 per bicycle was introduced. The cost of a 4-day Tourist Ticket providing unlimited rides has reduce from HK$34 to HK$25 but will no longer include tram rides.

Star Ferry is also planning to generate additional revenue by converting one of its spare vessels into a floating restaurant with a planned launch of early 2013.



MTR FARE INCREASE

MTR fares have been increased by an average of 5.4% with effect from 17th June 2012. The increase is the maximum allowed under the government's fare adjustment formula which is based on the consumer price index and transport wage increases. Octopus Card fares have increased by between ten cents and HK$1.4 per journey. Airport Express fares have not been increased. Single-journey ticket fare adjustments are made in units of 50 cents (MTR Ticket Issuing Machines accept coins in denominations of 50 cents, 1 dollar, 2 dollars, 5 dollars and 10 dollars) and single-journey fares under HK$7 have not been increased as it was considered the percentage increase would be disproportionate. Consequently, there are 596 journeys (representing about 2% of a total of all fare combinations), where single-journey fares are lower than Octopus Card fares by between 10 cents and 40 cents. A chart detailing journeys for which single-journey fares are lower than Octopus Card fares is available on the MTR website;

http://list2.mtr.com.hk/eng/fares_tickets/images/2012_diff_fare_e.pdf

MTR, which made a net profit of HK$14.7 billion in 2011, last increased fares in June 2011, by an average 2.2%, and in June 2010, by an average 2.05%.



MTR LAUNCHES TWO NEW APPS

MTR has launched two new apps on 14th June 2012, to assist passengers in planning train journeys;

“NEXT TRAIN” provides real-time information on the next four trains arriving at a specified station on the Tung Chung Line and Airport Express.

“MTR TOURIST” assists visitors in navigating around the MTR system by providing a journey planner with relevant information such as routing, interchange stations, platform numbers and the exit nearest to the intended destination or tourist attraction. The app also includes a point to point visitor attraction search, Tourist Ticket information, details of Airport Express Shuttle Bus services, Intercity service information and travel tips.

A third app, “TRAFFIC NEWS”, will be available in the third quarter of 2012 to provide information during serious train service disruptions. It will include notification of train service suspensions or serious disruptions of 20 minutes or more, information on train service when Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above is issued, notices related to overnight train services during special festive days, e.g. New Year’s Eve overnight service and a search function for Rail Service Suspension –Passenger Guide.

In addition, the popular existing “MTR MOBILE” app has been enhanced from 14th June with a search function for point-to-point first and last train information and location of barrier-free facilities. A full revamp to create an even better user interface of this app is to be carried out later this year.



OCEAN PARK RECORDS 28.7% ATTENDANCE INCREASE

Ocean Park has risen four places to twelfth in world theme park attendances according to the Global Attractions Attendance Report 2011 released by TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) and consultancy firm AECOM Economics. In the calendar year 2011, attendances rose by 28.7% over the previous calendar year to 6,955,000. The park, which added several new “lands” during the year and over a dozen attractions, including a major aquarium themed zone, Aqua City, Thrill Mountain and Rainforest Adventure is also ranked fifth most visited theme park in Asia.

Ocean Park began a HK$5.5 billion 7-year redevelopment programme in 2006 which has seen the park double in size and the number of attractions increase to 70. Attendances are expected to continue to grow and a new themed zone "Polar Adventure" is expected to open in July 2012. Two hotels are planned for the park and the park which will also be served by its own MTR Station, when the MTR South Island Line, currently under construction, is completed in 2015.

According to the TEA report, the world's most visited theme parks are;

Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Florida (17.1 million visitors)
Disneyland, Anaheim, California (16.1 million)
Tokyo Disneyland (13.9 million)
Tokyo Disney Sea (11.9 million)
Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris (11 million)



MTR ANNOUNCES PACKAGE OF PROMOTIONS

MTR Corporation has announced its largest ever package of fare promotions which are to be rolled out during the next year from 18th June 2012. A summary of these promotions, some of which will be of benefit to visitors to Hong Kong as well as locals is detailed below;

RIDE 10 GET 1 FREE - The “Ride 10 Get 1 Free” scheme for regular weekday Octopus users on the MTR is being reintroduced for the period 18th June 2012 to 30th December 2012.

FREE CHILD TRAVEL ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS -For the first time, MTR is offering free travel for Child Octopus holders on the MTR, Light Rail and MTR Bus. The offer is valid on every Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday from 28th July 2012 until 30th December 2012.

10% DISCOUNT FOR SAME-DAY SECOND TRIPS - All Octopus users will receive a 10% discount on every second journey they take on the same day on the MTR, Light Rail and MTR Bus from 31st December 2012 to 30th June 2013.

TUNG CHUNG TO HONG KONG MONTHLY PASS - A new Tung Chung - Hong Kong Monthly Pass will allow savings of up to 30% for commuters travelling regularly between Tung Chung Station and Hong Kong / Central Station. The Monthly Pass will be available from October 2012 to June 2013 at a cost of HK$550 a month.

HK$20 MTR SHOPS COUPONS FOR MONTHLY PASS PURCHASE - The current monthly pass promotions for the West Rail and East Rail lines will be extended for another year to 30th June 2013. Additionally, a HK$20 MTR Shops Coupon will be offered to passengers for every purchase of a Monthly Pass. The offer is valid for six months starting from July to December 2012 (October 2012 to March 2013 for Tung Chung-Hong Kong Monthly Pass).

The fare promotion package also includes some re-introduced and enhanced interchange
discounts including a HK$1.5 Interchange Discount for Adult Octopus Card holders taking Outlying Island Ferry Services from Sok Kwu Wan, Yung Shue Wan, Peng Chau, Cheung Chau and Mui Wo to Central when connecting on the same day to MTR network at Hong Kong / Central Stations between 1st July 2012 and 1st January 2013.

MTR Corporation, which made a net profit of HK$14.7 billion in 2011, announced in March that it was to increase MTR fares by an average of 5.4% with effect from 17th June 2012. The increase is the maximum allowed under the government's fare adjustment formula which is based on the consumer price index and transport wage increases. Fares last increased in June 2011, by an average 2.2%, and in June 2010, by an average 2.05%.



HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD NEW LOOK KOWLOON VISITOR CENTRE OPENS

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Kowloon Visitor Centre, located at Star Ferry Pier Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui, which was closed for renovation in April, reopened on Friday 18th May 2012 with a bright new look. During the closure period HKTB operated a limited service from a temporary counter inside the Star Ferry Pier Main Entrance. The new-look visitor centre offers a full range of services including providing comprehensive information on tourist attractions and events, tour bookings and provision of maps and leaflets, and other tourist publications. The visitor centre is open from 8am to 8pm daily.





OCEAN PARK'S NEW ELECTRONIC TICKETING PLATFORM

Ocean Park has entered a partnership with 7-Eleven to launch Hong Kong’s first theme park electronic ticketing service in convenience stores, allowing visitors to purchase Ocean Park admission tickets at over 900 7-Eleven outlets throughout Hong Kong. Tickets are valid for one month and contain a barcode which is scanned at the park's entry turnstiles, allowing instant admission and avoiding any potential queues at the park's ticket booths. In addition, visitors purchasing electronic tickets at 7-Eleven until 31st May 2012 will receive an in-Park food & beverage cash coupon worth up to HK$100 in value. Visitors patronising any restaurants within Ocean Park are also entitled to receive a complimentary Mother’s Day or Father’s Day special drink.



INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE CENTRE JOINS "A SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS"

From 1st May 2012, Hong Kong's tallest building, the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in West Kowloon will join the nightly sound and light show "A Symphony of Lights", bringing the number of buildings participating in the display to 45. The free show, which was launched in 2004 and is a major tourist attraction originally featured just 18 buildings on Hong Kong Island. It has since been expanded to include prominent buildings on both sides of the harbour and holds the Guinness World Record as "Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show". Also from 1st May, the show will be accompanied by a new soundtrack which will be broadcast along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront between the Avenue of Stars and Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the promenade at Golden Bauhinia Square in front of Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

For further details of "A Symphony of Light" see;

http://www.tourism.gov.hk/symphony/eindex.html



NEW BUS SERVICE FRANCHISES AWARDED TO CURRENT OPERATORS

New ten-year franchises have been awarded to existing bus operators, New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB), Long Win Bus Company Limited (Long Win) and Citybus Limited (Citybus). The franchise for Citybus relates to its Airport and North Lantau services only. Other services of Citybus are subject of a separate franchise which does not expire until 2016. The new franchise for NWFB will run from 1st July 2013 to 1st July 2023, and that for Long Win and Citybus from 1st May 2013 to 1st May 2023. The main operating area for NWFB is Hong Kong Island. Long Win's bus routes operate between the New Territories (except Tseung Kwan O), North Lantau and the Airport, while those for Citybus ply between urban areas/Tseung Kwan O, North Lantau and the Airport.

In awarding the new franchises the Hong Kong government took into account favourable public opinion relating to operation of services under the existing franchises. The three companies have committed to replacing 70% of their existing bus fleets with new buses between 2012 and 2016. New fare concessions will be offered for local passengers in major service areas and there will be other service and safety enhancements including adopting barrier-free and elderly-friendly features on new buses. In addition, passengers will be allowed to bring foldable bicycles on board buses and there will be additional facilities to reduce potential fire hazards. The companies will also be required to disseminate more service-related information to the travelling public on board buses as well as through the Internet and smart phone applications. The bus companies have also committed to install more LCD panels at major bus termini for the display of route information and bus departure times, as well as LCD panels or other devices inside bus compartments to provide more detailed route information. The companies will be required to purchase the most environmentally friendly and technologically proven buses commercially available when acquiring new vehicles with the ultimate objective of using zero emission buses and will be required to adopt commercially available technologies and products on their buses to reduce exhaust and noise emissions as far as practicable.
 


OCEAN PARK'S LATEST ATTRACTION

Ocean Park has opened its latest attraction, "Old Hong Kong", on 14th March 2012. The  HK$10 million attraction located near the Waterfront cable car station is a nostalgic re-creation of a Hong Kong street scene from the 1950's to 1970's and includes rickshaws, a cinema decorated with old movie posters, tong lau (old Hong Kong-style tenements), a static replica of Hong Kong tram 120 with rattan seats, an old KMB bus, colonial pillar boxes, an old police post, replica Star Ferry Pier clock tower which chimes every 15 minutes and a Kee Wah Bakery. The street is lined with dai pai dong food stalls offering over 70 types of classic hawker food and performers play the roles of period characters;

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/35th/en/index.php

"Ocean Express", Ocean Park's subterranean-themed funicular railway linking the park's Waterfront and Summit areas is closed for maintenance until 23rd March 2012.



e-CHANNEL SERVICE FOR FOR FREQUENT VISITORS EXTENDED TO CHINA FERRY TERMINAL AND HONG KONG MACAU FERRY TERMINAL

With effect from 19th March 2012, foreign frequent visitors to Hong Kong who have enrolled with the Immigration Department for automated immigration clearance through the e-Channel service, will be able to use Frequent Visitor e-Channels for immigration clearance at China Ferry Terminal at Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal at Sheung Wan. Enrolled frequent visitors are already able to use e-Channels at control points at Hong Kong International Airport, Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay. Information regarding elegibility for self-service automated immigration clearance is available at the Immigration Department website;

http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/control/echannel.htm#fvapc


SUNBEAM THEATRE REPREIVED

Hong Kong's main venue and "home" of Cantonese Opera performances for the last 40 years since its founding in 1972, the 1033-seat Sunbeam Theatre on King's Road at North Point, which was due to stage its final performance on 19th February 2012, has been saved from closure. The theatre, which has been privately run by Hong Kong Arts Entertainment Company Limited had been due to close to make way for a new shopping mall, having already been reprieved for three years after having been threatened with closure when the previous lease expired in February 2009. The current owner, a property developer, purchased the property for HK$162 million in 2003 with the intention of demolishing the theatre and building on the site but a three-year extension to the lease was agreed with the Hong Kong Government on the understanding that the owner would be allowed to redevelop the site when the extension to the lease expires. The monthly rental tripled to HK$698,000 and funding for the lease extension has amounted to around HK$6.6 million with HK$3 million being provided by private donations and the government funding the balance. In a last minute deal the owner has agreed a further four year lease with Cantonese opera playwright Li Kui-ming for a sum of HK$1 million a month but no further government funding will be provided. The theatre will be managed by Li's Prime Splendor Theatrical Troupe and staff who previously ran the theatre are being re-hired.

There have been about 150 shows annually at the theatre performed by professional troupes, with each show being supported by a HK$15,000 government subsidy through the Arts Development Council. The theatre, on the ground level of Kiu Fai Mansion, was originally built as a 1600-seat theatre in 1972 but was divided in the early 1980's with the main theatre, the Grand Theatre on the ground floor, used mostly for operatic performances containing 1033 seats and a small theatre upstairs containing 340 seats.
The theatre has been closed since February and is undergoing a HK$10 million renovation which includes fitting of new carpets and seats, and will reopen on 21st May. The small theatre will become a centre for performing-arts education.



Since taking over the lease, Li has expressed his intention to turn the theatre into a cultural centre promoting the art of Cantonese Opera and a much wider range of performing arts such as other forms of Chinese opera, drama, magic and acrobatic shows. There are also plans for the Sunbeam to become the largest cinema in Hong Kong by installing a digital film projector capable of being upgraded to show 3-D movies.

A large 1100-seat theatre is being built as a permanent venue for Cantonese Opera in the Xiqu Centre the West Kowloon Cultural District which is scheduled for completion in 2015/16. In the meantime an 600-seat annexe to the 1031-seat Ko Shan Theatre in Hung Hom is due to be completed in 2013 to enable more Cantonese Opera rehearsals and performances at that venue which currently has about 140 Cantonese Opera performances annually and Yau Ma Tei Theatre has been redeveloped to provide a venue for small-scale performances and operatic singing activities. Chan Shun Kui Community Hall in North Point has also been considered as a future venue in order that a Cantonese Opera Theatre venue can be maintained on Hong Kong Island.





BABY ORANGUTAN TWINS ON PUBLIC DISPLAY AT HONG KONG ZOOLOGICAL & BOTANICAL GARDENS

A pair of Bornean orangutan twins, born at Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) in July 2011 have been put on public display from 10th February 2012 in two daily one-hour viewing sessions.

The male baby, Wan Wan, weighed about two kilogrammes at birth while the female, Wah Wah, was about 1.4 kilogrammes. They are now five kilogrammes and four kilogrammes respectively. The twins' father, Vandu, was born in Belgium while their mother, Raba, is an "aborigine" of the HKZBG and was born in the gardens. Though coming from different origins, they successfully mated and gave birth to newborns in the environment of the gardens.

In view of the twins' young age and with regard to their living pattern and growth needs,  HKZBG has arranged the two one-hour visit sessions per day for the public to meet the twins through a viewing window of the activity room at the HKZBG Education and Exhibition Centre, Albany Road, Central. The visit sessions run from 10am to 11am and 2pm to 3pm. Visitors should remain silent during the tour and refrain from tapping on the window of the activity room or using flashlights and follow the instructions of staff at the scene.





SMARTPHONE BOARDING PASSES INTRODUCED AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Since February 2012, smartphone boarding passes have become available to about half of all passengers departing from Hong Kong International Airport. The system, which has already been widely introduced at US airports, allows passengers to receive a form of barcode known as a QR code on their smartphone screens, which can be held against a scanner and eliminates the need for a paper boarding pass. Participating airlines are Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air France, Delta and Emirates. For more information see;

http://www.hongkongairport.com/hkianews/2012issue049/#eng/hearts



AIRPORT EXPRESS AND MTR TUNG CHUNG LINE SERVICE FREQUENCY ENHANCED

Effective from 15th January 2012, the frequency of Airport Express trains is to be increased from 12-minute interval to 10 minute interval from start of daily service until midnight. From midnight until close of service each day the service will revert to the existing 12 minute interval.

MTR is celebrating the new 10-minute Airport Express frequency with a new promotion
offering Child Octopus holders free rides to and from the airport on the 10th, 20th and
30th of each month from 20th January 2012 until 30 April 2012, a total of 10 days.

Effective from 21st January 2012, between 12 noon and 10pm, service frequency for trains on the Tung Chung Line will be increased to 8 minute intervals. During other Tung Chung Line service hours the current 10 minute frequency will be maintained.



NEW SERIES HONG KONG BANKNOTES

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the three note-issuing banks, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, have announced that the HK$20 banknotes of the three note-issuing banks and HK$100 banknotes of HSBC will go into circulation on 11th January 2012.

The HK$50, HK$100, HK$500 and HK$1000 banknotes are already in circulation (except for the HSBC HK$100 banknote, which was delayed owing to a design flaw) and with the issue of these new banknotes, the entire 2010 Series Hong Kong Banknotes will be in circulation.

The existing polymer HK$10 note, which is issued by the Hong Kong Government will continue to be printed and remain in circulation.

All existing banknotes will continue to be legal tender and will continue in circulation alongside the new notes until being gradually withdrawn when they become unfit for circulation.

Designs of the new notes can be viewed on the HKMA website;

http://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/currency/2010_series/



OPENING OF PREHISTORIC STORY ROOM

Prehistoric Story Room, a permanent exhibition gallery located in the lobby of the Bank of China Tower, opened on 3rd October 2011. The exhibition illustrates Earth's life history through displays of over 100 valuable fossils and models and is sponsored by BOCHK Charitable Foundation in association with Hong Kong Global Geopark of China. For more information see WHAT'S NEW