"Disney Keeps Hong Kong Design Work | AboutHK.Com - more information about HK"

Walt Disney Co., the second-largest U.S. media company, stopped and creative design work on the expansion of the Hong Kong theme park, resulting in 30 jobs and increasing tensions with the government in Hong Kong. The theme-park operator said it has not yet reached an agreement with the government on an expansion plan after two years of investment and negotiations. The city government, which holds 57 percent of companies said the cuts are not part of the talks. "The uncertainty about the outcome, we must immediately take all creative and design work on the project," Leslie Goodman, Executive Vice President of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts "worldwide public affairs, said in a statement today. Hong Kong's government is "irritated" by Disney's decision, the Trade and Economic Development Bureau said in an e-mail statement today. "We have serious concerns about the decision and urged the company to". Both Alannah Hall-Smith, a spokeswoman for Disney, and BC Lo, Hong Kong Disneyland's Vice President for Public Affairs, went to the Goodman's comments in telephone interviews today. Hong Kong Disneyland, the Hong Kong International Theme Parks Ltd, planned to the park by a third party, to attract visitors, managing director Andrew Kam told reporters in December. The park, in September 2005, attracted 14.5 million visitors in its first three years, Kam said in January. The number of tickets sold increased by 8 percent to 4.5 million in the year ended September, he said. The park increased ticket prices by up to 19 percent last month, the first adjustment since the opening. Hong Kong tourists will probably be below 1.6 percent in 2009 from one year to 29 million, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board. "The government hopes to have reached an agreement with the Walt Disney Co. as soon as possible", Hong Kong trade office said. Comments Please login to post comments or replies.