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The few visitors who do come here will likely be surprised to find that the usual crowds of people scrambling to buy tickets are no longer present. Even the amusement areas, souvenir shops, and the magnificent central castle are sparsely populated. The lively, bustling atmosphere that should be present in any Disneyland park is absent in Hong Kong, at least for now.
Disneyland Park in Hong Kong is deserted, with very few tourists visiting.
The reason for this gloomy and deserted atmosphere is that Disneyland, like all other entertainment venues in Hong Kong, has been affected by the prolonged protests. Since millions of people took to the streets to protest the extradition bill in June 2019, not only the Hong Kong economy but also the tourism industry has suffered heavy losses.
The Hong Kong Financial Services Bureau stated that both the retail and hospitality sectors are suffering significant losses. Hotels and guesthouses in Hong Kong have lost a huge number of customers, with occupancy rates falling by approximately 40% to 70%. At the same time, Hong Kong International Airport saw a 12.4% decrease in passenger traffic in August 2019 compared to the same period last year.
The once bustling train tracks and carousel are now deserted.
Disneyland is the clearest reflection of the decline in tourism to Hong Kong. A place that should always be crowded and bustling is now empty, desolate, and dreary. All the attractions are deserted; people are worried about political and social tensions and no longer dare to come to Hong Kong for entertainment.
Although music blares everywhere, and colorful lights illuminate every street at night, it fails to create a joyful atmosphere. The annual Halloween festivities, which attract large crowds, are now in danger of failing, despite Disneyland's extensive advertising of attractive programs.
Disneyland Hong Kong is facing a crisis as the number of tourists continues to decline.
According to Hong Kong International Airport managers, the biggest drop in tourist numbers came from mainland China, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan. Of these, Chinese tourists accounted for 76% of visitors to Hong Kong. Instead of coming here, many Chinese tourists are now choosing to visit Shanghai Disneyland, further exacerbating the already difficult business situation for Hong Kong Disneyland.
Not only Disneyland Hong Kong, but many large restaurants and hotels there are also experiencing a slump in business. Some hotels are asking staff to take unpaid leave, while others have even laid off employees. According to CNN, an estimated 700 restaurant workers have lost their jobs since June 2019.
