|
 |
| The sky rollers move as the decoration bulbs
glitter August 20, 2004, in the Beijing Shjingshan International
Sculpture Park that held the World Carnival form July 2 to August 22
in the city. |
World Carnival has wrapped up its 52-day stay in the Chinese capital,
and with it go all the thrills, laughter, and fun of the fair.
For nearly two months, sounds like this could be heard miles away from
the Beijing International Sculpture Park, where the Carnival has been
taking place. Attractions included 50 rides, ranging from the world's
largest mobile ferris wheel to
some of Europe's most exciting roller-coasters.
Although organizers estimate it rained half the time the Carnival was
in Beijing, that didn't stop over 40,000 daily visitors. So what's the
secret charm of the Carnival for Beijingers?
23-year-old Zhang Wei says all the attractions are exciting, which
relaxes her from her daily routine and helps her forget unhappiness.
It was also a surprise for Zhang's boyfriend. He says he didn't know
she could be so daring and brave.
Of course, what better way for young lovers to snuggle up tight than on a
hair-raisingly, stomach churning roller coaster ? Over one third of the
patrons were couples under 25.
However 15-year-old Qi Jianping has different reasons for enjoying the
fair:
She says it's very difficult to win a toy from the games, but it
teaches her not to give up.
Of course, huge cuddly toys
were big stars at the carnival - and brought big profits for organizers.
It costs 25 Yuan, or $3 dollars, to play once, and only one in four gets
to win. In other words, a stuffed animal, which costs around 10 Yuan in
local markets, had a price tag at the Carnival of some 150 Yuan or about
17 dollars.
In Shanghai, sales of these toys brought in 37 million Yuan in profit.
In Beijing, the supply of toys was doubled. The profit? Well, do the math!
However organizers complain that hopes of repeating the financial
killing made in Shanghai have been shattered, with reported losses of more
than 20 million Yuan, or about $2.4 million dollars.
But insiders say though the wet Beijing summer had an effect, the World
Carnival had a net income topping $20 million dollars. It certainly put
great pressure on local amusement parks, whose summer income dropped ich
had a totally different scenario over the past two months.
Huang Xiaoqiang of the Beijing Amusement park was sceptical about the
effect of the World Carnival but now admits he has had to eat his words.
Still he says,it's a valuable lesson:
He says it's true the rides and games are much more exciting and novel
than those in the local amusement parks, and there's more to choose from.
His parks can't compete in terms of promotion skills, management know-how
and quality of products either. After careful research and analysis, he
has come up with some counter-measures and insists the Carnival is not
unbeatable.
Folowing the signing of a five-year contract with Beijing, the global
mobile Carnival is moving on to Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei
Province, but will return to the same venue every year up till the 2008
Olympic Games.
According to Huang Xiaoqiang, the Beijing Amusement Park is joining
hands with some seasoned amusement professionals to come up with a
'Made-in-China' Carnival, which will soon be launched with large
discounts.
So who'll win the second round next year? It's hard to predict. But one
thing is sure: the average funfair fan will win out in the event of a
Carnival price war!
(Xinhua) | 
Updated: 2004-08-24 15:13