Hong Kong’s Ngong Ping 360 cable car attraction records near 80 per cent jump in visitors for 2021 amid coronavirus pandemic
- About 460,000 people, most of them locals, visited the Lantau Island attraction last year despite coronavirus restrictions
- Company attributed the rise to partnering Hong Kong brands to run events and promotions
Hong Kong’s iconic Ngong Ping 360 cable car had a near 80 per cent jump in the number of visitors last year, even though Covid-19 measures have restricted operations and tourism remains largely non-existent.
The company revealed on Thursday that 460,000 people, primarily locals, visited the Lantau Island attraction, a 5.7km (3.5-mile) cable car ride from Tung Chung to the Big Buddha at Ngong Ping.
Revenue rose 58 per cent, partly due to a 70 per cent growth in sales of annual passes.
Managing director Andy Lau Wai-ming said the improved performance had resulted from a strategy of partnering with local brands to run events and promotions.
He gave an example of how the company held a concert with Commercial Radio Hong Kong last year that featured Canto-pop boy band Mirror.
Lau anticipated a more challenging year in 2022 in the wake of the city’s tightened business curbs that began in early January and are expected to remain in place until April 20.