Disney tempts Thai traveller

BANGKOK Hong Kong Disneyland showcases its latest development ‘Disney Paint the Night’ parade and ‘Disney Sparkling Christmas’ to attract visitors particularly from Southeast Asia.
Hong Kong Disneyland resort’s Travel Trade Sales director, Larry Leung, told local media that the resort has seen more visitors from Southeast Asia, although it still depends heavily on visitors from mainland China.
“Of the record-breaking 7.4 million visitors who visited the resort last year, 20% came from international market including Thailand, which recorded a 51% growth in attendance over the past five years.”
India and Indonesia also recorded 96% and 49% growth in attendance respectively since 2009, he added.inside no 4
“The geographical proximity of Hong Kong to Thailand, frequent air connectivity and stiff competition among carriers have driven down travel package prices, making Hong Kong a strong contender to attract Thai travellers.”
He claimed Thai families and teenagers have developed an affinity with Disney characters, entertainment facilities and theme parks and were particularly interested in visiting the destination to snap up Disney souvenirs.
The resort’s marketing director, Daisy Sit, said the company wanted to grow the business from Southeast Asia.
“Thailand is one of our core markets…based on consumer research of our Thai guests, we’ve learned that they enjoy a wide variety of activities when they come to Hong Kong.”
She added: “We have recently launched a mini-website in Thailand to help guests plan their itineraries prior to their trips. Guide maps in Thai are also available in the park.”
Research is hardly necessary to discover that Hong Kong has been a traditional favourite for Thai tourists since the 1970s. It has always been a top shopping destination and Disneyland has been on the agenda since it opened. The three top destinations for Thai visitors in Asia are Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.
Thailand is the first overseas market for Hong Kong Disneyland to showcase the ‘Disney Paint the Night’ parade since it launched on 1 October.inside no 4.1
The parade combines the latest LED lighting technology, colourful costumes, magical storytelling, delightful music and dynamic dances. It is the first-ever fully LED parade created by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
It features seven original floats with 740,000 LED lights, beginning with the Tinker Bell Opening Unit, followed by the Monsters, Inc., Unit, Cars Unit, the Little Mermaid Unit, Belle Candlelight Unit, Toy Story Unit, and the Mickey & Friends Finale Unit.
The creative team spent more than two years creating the parade and developed over 1,000 scenic and lighting designs. More than 80 cast members are involved in performing this parade showcasing over 25 different styles that were used in the design and construction of the costumes, brilliant makeup effects, glowing fiber optic wigs and fiber optic eyelashes that can change colour.
The Disney Sparking Christmas campaign, will run from 13 November to 4 January next year for visitors to celebrate the festive season at the resort.
One of the highlights is Frozen, the highest grossing animated film of all time, with the first-ever appearance of Queen Elsa and Princess Anna to meet visitors.
The resort will introduce Frozen-themed merchandise and food and beverage options. Duffy will also make his first-ever appearance with his girlfriend ShellieMay at Hong Kong Disneyland.
At Fantasyland, Toy Story and Grizzly Gulch, guests will have a chance to celebrate Christmas with new puppet shows featuring stories with Disney friends from each of the respective themed lands.
The programme priceinside-no-4.2
*The rate is for Disney Paint the Night from now onwards
**The rate is for Disney Sparkling Christmas from 13 November to 4 January 2015.
Since opening in September in 2005, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has welcomed over 46 million visitors from around the globe.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia