A Disneyland Theme Park
In the 1998 Policy Address, the government for the first time mentioned the
consideration of developing major facilities which would be both unique tourist
attractions as well as venues for cultural and entertainment including a multi-media
theme park.3 The idea of building a Disneyland theme park to revitalize the Hong
Kong tourism industry and the contracting economy was specifically raised by
Legislative Council (LegCo) member David Chu during a forum held by members
from the trade and business sectors ofthe Election Committee aiming to find ways to
boost the economy in September 1998. Thereafter, the proposal was under active
discussion by various policy actors. The operators in the trade like the Travel
Industry Council, the Association of Retailers and the Hong Kong Hotel Association
lent their support to the proposal believing that it could reinvigorate tourism. In
addition, the major political parties in the LegCo including the Hong Kong
Progressive Alliance, the Liberal Party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of
Hong Kong and the Democratic Party were supportive of the proposal fully or in
principle. Top governmental officials like the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for
Economic Services and the Commissioner for Tourism involved themselves in a
prolonged and serious negotiation with Walt Disney for the possibility ofbuilding the
fifth Disneyland theme park in Hong Kong. Eventually, the Chief Executive
announced on 2 November 1999 that agreement had been reached with Walt Disney
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Alternative Specification
to build a Disneyland theme park at Penny's Bay on North Lantau scheduled for
completion by 2005. A formal agreement was signed between the government and
the Walt Disney on i O December 1999.