An official with Hong Kong Disneyland said Tuesday the park's expansion project would officially start at the end of this year.

"Tender submissions for the project will start in October and the expansion will start at the end of this year," said Hong Kong Disney Resort Managing Director Andrew Kam, who is visiting Shanghai.

He said the project, with an investment of 6.25 billion yuan (915 million U.S. dollars), would add 30 new attractions and enlarge the park by nearly a quarter over the next five years.

"Our revenue will increase with the expansion," said Kam. "We expect to break even in 2014."

Statistics show the park, a joint venture between Walt Disney and the Hong Kong government, has received more than 17 million visitors since its opening in September 2005.

The Hong Kong government said earlier the expanded park would give rise to total net economic benefits at present values ranging from 64.7 billion HK dollars to 117.3 billion HK dollars up to 2044-2045, according to different projections.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2009)