Hotel Targeted for 2016 Completion to Complement the
Recently Completed
Master Redevelopment Plan and Additional New Attractions
Opening from 2014
Hotel Project Alone Expected to Create 3,500 New
Employment Positions
Ocean Park has announced
news of further expansion with the issuance of a tender invitation to develop a
hotel targeted for completion in the third quarter of 2016. With the completion
of the Master Redevelopment Plan and the planned opening of a number of new
world-class attractions from 2014, one day is not enough to experience all that
the Park has to offer. The planned hotel will thus provide convenient
accommodations for guests spending multiple days at Ocean Park, and transform
Hong Kong People’s Park into a premier international resort destination. The
hotel project, now featuring terms that are more in line with market
expectations, is expected to create 3,500 new employment positions during the
construction phase and, upon completion, approximately 500 permanent hospitality
positions.
The 495-room “Ocean Hotel” will be built on a 17,044
square-metre site in front of Ocean Park’s main entrance. Tender submissions
will be accepted until 8 April 2013, and the contract with the successful
tenderer is expected to be signed during the fourth quarter of 2013. Tender
submissions will first be assessed and scored on their respective Technical
Proposals, with design excellence receiving a weighting of 65%, whilst
financial strength of the proponent and hotel management credentials are
assigned a 35% weighting. Submissions that exceed the passing score under the
Technical Proposal assessment will be ranked in order of the land premium
offered in their respective Financial Proposal, with the tenderer proposing the
highest amount to be selected as the Most Preferred Proponent. The Most
Preferred Proponent will be appointed as the successful tenderer once they are
able to satisfy the statutory process and requirements, e.g. Planning Approval
Conditions; acceptance of lease modification conditions; payment of land
premium, etc.
Ocean Park expects the tender exercise will attract
feasible and sustainable development proposals as the Government will accept
the premium offered by the Most Preferred Proponent.
Dr. Allan Zeman, Chairman of Ocean Park, said, “Having
been recognised as a world-leading theme park with our recent Applause Award
accolade, we are now ready to transform Ocean Park into a premier international
resort destination and further fulfil our role as a major pillar of Hong Kong’s
tourism industry. With the completion of the MTR South Island Line in 2015, the
new hotel will also enhance Southern District’s position as a new base for
travellers. The proposed design of the hotel must be compatible with Ocean
Park’s mission to provide guests with memorable experiences combining
conservation, education and entertainment values, as well as its vision to
connect people with nature. We are grateful to the Hong Kong Government for
working closely with us to come up with an appealing project, which will
enhance destination tourism, and reinforce our contribution to local employment
opportunities in both the construction and hospitality sectors.”
Dr. Zeman concluded, “Further to the completion of our
Master Redevelopment Plan, which expanded the Park significantly, Ocean Park
will be unveiling a number of world-class attractions beginning in 2014. A new
shark aquarium, created from the former Atoll Reef, will open in the third
quarter of 2014. This will be followed by the opening of the much-anticipated
koala exhibit in the fourth quarter of 2014. More exciting still is the
on-going planning work for the redevelopment of the now-closed Tai Shue Wan
area into a water park. We look forward to sharing each exciting milestone with
the people of Hong Kong and visitors from all over the world alike. ”
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