The development of three hotels at Ocean Park will bring 36,800 additional visitors in the first year of operation, with total quantifiable economic benefits to rise from $102 million in 2011 to $260 million in 2030.

In a paper tabled to lawmakers today the Ocean Park Corporation said the proposed hotels, each with a distinctive theme, will offer 1,300 rooms for certain important market segments of Hong Kong's travel industry, such as family tourists, spa users and other high-yield visitors. This will supplement the inventory of visitor accommodation to sustain Hong Kong's appeal as a preferred tourist destination in the region.

At the district level the projects will be a catalyst for Aberdeen's revitalisation and boosting its appeal as one of Hong Kong's top tourist attractions. There will also be spillover benefits for other segments of tourist-related sectors, including the retail and restaurant business, in Southern District and Hong Kong as a whole.

A preliminary environmental review shows none of the hotel sites are located in areas of ecological, conservation, or cultural heritage importance. The proposal will not cause a significant traffic impact as existing public transport services are adequate. The commissioning of the Mass Transit Railway South Island Line (East), which will include Ocean Park Station, before 2015 will improve traffic in the area and boost its connectivity.

Development schedule

Subject to town planning approval, the park plans to invite tenders for developing the hotels by year's-end and to start construction by next year's third quarter for completion in phases by 2011-12.

The proposal will generate 320 jobs upon the hotels' opening. During construction new jobs in terms of 3,180 man-years will be created in the building and construction sector, although this is one-off in nature.

The Tourism Commission said last year saw 14 new hotels offering 4,453 rooms, bringing the cumulative total to 140 hotels and 51,581 rooms. This year will see an 11.4% rise in hotel rooms as 23 new hotels will be built providing 5,876 rooms.

In 2009-11 there will be 26 new hotels with a total of 6,226 rooms, bringing the cumulative total to 189 hotels and 63,683 rooms.