The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Thursday that they were concerned over reports that many guests had not been able to enter the Hong Kong Disneyland in the past two days.

A government spokesman said on Thursday that the Hong Kong Disneyland had adopted a new arrangement for ticket sales since early January. Except for special days, guests can use these tickets for admission to the theme park within 180 days from the date of purchase.

"We are concerned that this advance sales arrangement has caused a lot of inconvenience to guests who could not enter the Hong Kong Disneyland on Wednesday and Thursday," the spokesman said.

Citing areas for improvement such as the ticketing and guest entry arrangements, the spokesman said the government had reflected these concerns to the senior management of Disneyland and requested them to make improvements."

"The senior management of the Hong Kong Disneyland have assured us that they will, in the light of experience gained on this occasion, take appropriate follow-up measures to avoid recurrence," the spokesman said.

According to him, such measures include reviewing the need to designate more days as special days for peak seasons, stepping up the co-ordination with travel agencies, and sending out clear and prompt messages to notify guests in good time of the position on the sale of tickets and admission to avoid a situation where guests are not admitted after arrival at the theme park.

Bill Ernest, executive vice president and managing director of the Hong Kong Disneyland, said on Thursday in a separate development that they are very sorry that some of tour guests have not been able to visit the Hong Kong Disneyland over the past few days.

"We fully understand their disappointment," Ernest said.

Ernest said in a written statement that the Hong Kong Disneyland has taken a number of steps to better accommodate guests. Park opening hours have been extended and Internet bookings have been temporarily suspended.

He said the Hong Kong Disneyland has and will continue to be in regular contact with travel providers about how to coordinate their groups in the park.

 (Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2006)