Q3) Find Out More Recent Trends and New Development in Recreation and Leisure

Increase in health concern and fitness exercises

In recent years, Hong Kong people's health awareness keeps rising, mainly because of the increased usage of mass media. For instance, WHO (2015, Oct) announced that sausage and bacon are unhealthy food which may increase the risk of suffering from cancer. The news was spread among the community quickly through social media, such as Facebook.

Therefore, more people devote their leisure time to do exercises and fitness activities, like hiking, gym and yoga.





Advancement in technology 

In this era of age, smart-phones and mobile applications are everywhere. It is not uncommon that most of the recreational corporations and theme parks apply advanced technology. For instance, there are mobile apps for both Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Ocean Park Hong Kong.

Besides, Hong Kong Disneyland has just established a public Wi-Fi service for their guests. This demonstrates the importance of hybrid of recreation and technology.

Aging population

Aging population is a prevailing phenomenon in Hong Kong. Recreational companies and theme parks have to offer customized services for this age group.

Expansion of theme park - Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

As the year of 2015 is Hong Kong Disneyland Resort's 10th Anniversary, it has launched various projects to bring new magical moments to their guests. For instance, a brand new theater show - Mickey and the Wondrous Book has been created to bring to life new and classic Disney stories and movies in musical stage production. The new twilight projection with the new castle has been created as well.

Moreover, a new attraction point, the Fairy Tale Forest will be opened in December 2015.

Furthermore, a new Marvel-themed area based on Iron Man - Iron Man Experience, will open in late 2016. It will attract more guests to visit Hong Kong Disneyland, said by Andrew Kam, the Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland.

In addition, Hong Kong Disneyland will build the third hotel, named Disney Explorers Lodge, to capture the increasing demand for Hong Kong Disneyland's accommodation. The hotel is exploration-themed with respect to the African savannah, a South American rainforest, and a Polynesian island paradise. The hotel demonstrates the natural beauty of Asia. Such a theme-based hotel will be appealing to family-based tourists and visitors.

Evaluation

After further research and evaluation, we realized health concern and fitness have been one of the key trends in this decade. Technology also plays an important role in any recreational companies and theme parks. Aging population is an inevitable phenomenon in Hong Kong as well. For theme park development, especially Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, HK Disneyland has commenced several projects since last few years in order to bring brand-new, differentiated, and unique park experience to guests. Its development, including new Marvel-themed area and the third hotel, would definitely bring memorable moments of truth to all the guests!


References

Disney. App. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/hk/app/di-shi-ni-guang-ying-hui/id943519325?l=zh&mt=8

Ocean Park. Mobile App. Retrieved from https://www.oceanpark.com.hk/mobileapp/en/index.html

Press Releases. (2013, October 8). Iron Man Experience Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland in 2016. Hong Kong Disneyland. Retrieved from http://news-en.hongkongdisneyland.com/PressReleases/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?AssetId=44680168-5bba-4a5c-aa35-cdc80fb57085

Smith, T. (2015, Jan 6). Hong Kong Disneyland Breaks Ground on Disney Explorers Lodge. DisneyParks Blog. Retrieved from http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/01/hong-kong-disneyland-breaks-ground-on-disney-explorers-lodge/

World Health Organization. (Oct 2015). Q&A on the carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/features/qa/cancer-red-meat/en/