On Thursday's Backchat, we're talking about the financial viability of theme parks.

Ocean Park recorded a HK$71.6 million deficit in the last financial year despite visitor figures hitting a five-year high. The main reason was a HK$200 million loss at its Water World facility, prompting some lawmakers to questioning if the theme park can survive after it stops receiving government subsidies in 2026.


So is Ocean Park too big to fail? Should the government give it another round of subsidies? Or should we let the free market decide its fate? We'll find out.


After 9:45, we learn what to do if you encounter stinging insects, after a hiker died hours after being attacked by beelike insects.


9:05am-9:45am: Financial viability of Ocean Park
9:05am-9:30am: Dennis Wong, Programme Director (Operations and Development), Hotel and Tourism Institute, Vocational Training Council
9:15am-9:30am: Gary Ng, Senior Economist at Natixis
9:30am-9:45am: Glenn McCartney, Associate Professor in Integrated Resort and Tourism Management; Associate Dean (Curriculum and Teaching), Faculty of Business Administration, The University of Macau

9:45am-10:00am: Deadly bee attack
9:45am-10:00am: Kwong Sum Yin, Partnership and Communications Head, Parks & Trails