Hong Kong Leverages Panda Craze to Revitalize Tourism and Ocean Park

The city unveils panda-themed exhibitions and events, banking on the popularity of six pandas to boost visitor numbers and support its struggling theme park.

• Hong Kong has launched its largest panda-themed exhibition, PANDA GO! FEST HK, featuring 2,500 sculptures displayed across popular tourist spots this month.
• Ocean Park, now home to six pandas including twin cubs born in August, aims to attract more visitors as part of efforts to recover from a HK$71.6 million deficit in the last financial year.
• The twin cubs, whose mother Ying Ying became the world's oldest first-time panda mom, are expected to make their public debut in early 2025.
• Businesses and local artists are creating panda-related merchandise, events, and intellectual property to capitalize on what officials are calling the 'panda economy.'
• Proceeds from special-edition panda sculptures, designed by notable figures like Pharrell Williams, will support Ocean Park's panda conservation efforts through charity auctions.

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