Hong Kong Disneyland will increase weekday admission prices for both mainland and overseas tourists by nearly 20 percent, starting on Monday, despite the global financial crisis.
Prices will remain unchanged for local residents. But they may have to pay more after the entertainment giant reviews the market situation in about six months.
The new scheme does away with the different ticket prices charged on weekdays, weekends and special days. Admission on weekdays will be raised to the same level of weekends - up from HK$295 to HK$350 for adults, and from HK$210 to HK$250 for children.
However, tickets for senior citizens will be reduced 15 percent to HK$170 from HK$200, even on weekends.
Prices for annual passes and the youth program will remain unchanged.
Tourists purchasing tickets through travel agents - along with Hong Kong residents, who are required to show identity cards - can still pay the old prices until June 30.
A Hong Kong Disneyland spokesman said the park does not expect the new pricing structure to have a material impact on attendance, as research shows guests choose when to visit the attraction based on their time available rather than ticket prices.
But Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents chairman Michael Wu Sui-ieng fears tourists may find the new pricing discriminatory and it could dampen their desire to visit Disneyland.
Polytechnic University associate professor of hotel and tourism management John Ap said mainland consumers are price sensitive and constantly looking for bargains.
He added Disneyland needs to be cautious if the adjustment turns potential visitors away.
But Ap recognizes the increase may be necessary to reduce losses, and make the park - owned jointly by the government with a 57 percent stake and Walt Disney Co - sustainable.
Tourism sector lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun predicts attendance by tourists will be affected slightly in the short term, but will rebound later.
Tse said it may not the best time to announce the adjustment but it is still acceptable, given that a unified pricing scheme could save the park administrative costs.
This is the first time Hong Kong Disneyland has adjusted its admission fares since its opening in 2005.
The park did not disclose how much more revenue the new pricing scheme is expected to generate.
Hong Kong Disneyland will increase weekday admission prices for both mainland and overseas tourists by nearly 20 percent, starting on Monday, despite the global financial crisis.