The public is losing confidence in Hong Kong Disneyland and objects to injecting more cash into the theme park, a survey conducted by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University claims.

Conducted in November, the survey organizers interviewed 520 residents by telephone randomly. It was the final poll in a series of surveys that started in 2000 to study general opinions toward the theme park.

The level of people supporting the park plunged 15 percent last year to 71 percent, when compared to the year before. According to the poll, support dropped to its lowest point in seven years.

John Ap, associate professor in the university's School of Hotel and Tourism Management, said even that majority is losing confidence in the park.

The park received just over four million visitors in 2006, 23 percent fewer than in its opening year.

The government, its major shareholder with a 57 percent stake, urged the park to review its operations and began negotiating with the Walt Disney Company regarding the park's expansion and financial arrangement.

"The government will carefully consider the merits and demerits of various financing options, including the possibility of government injection," Commerce and Economic Development Bureau's spokesperson said.

However, 63 percent of the interviewees objected to the government's providing of more funding to the park, and 54 percent said it was unfair for the government to provide HK$13.6 billion for land reclamation and infrastructure.

Ap suggested that the park stop relying on the government for financial support. "As a global company that is profitable, the Walt Disney Company should have its own resources," he said. "Its transparency and accountability have upset the public."

In addition, Ap said Disney's international standards mixed with the cultural diversity in Hong Kong have put the park in a difficult operation situation.

Disney "needed to maintain a level of consistency among its 11 parks, but the park should connect with the community and needs to customize to Hong Kong people more," Ap said.

He said the park should add attractions featuring Chinese cultures and recruit senior management from the local market, as 90 percent of the interviewees wanted to see new and creative attractions in the park.

Travel Industry Council Executive Director Joseph Tung Yao-chung added that the park should improve its connection with the tourism industry.

(HK Edition 01/15/2008 page1)