Hong Kong - Hong Kong's struggling Disneyland theme park made a loss of almost 200 million US dollars in its second year of operation, a news report said Thursday.

The park, which opened in 2005, was only one third full for most of 2006-2007 and suffered losses totalling 193.9 million US dollars, the South China Morning Post said.

Quoting confidential company documents, the newspaper said the park had only 4.17 million visitors in its second year, 11,400 a day or roughly a third its 34,000 capacity.

The park, the world's smallest Disney park, attracted 5.2 million visitors in its first year of operations from September 2005, falling 400,000 people short of a stated target of 
5.6 million.

However, the park is on target to achieve an attendance of 5.6 million in the third year, which ends September, thanks to improved marketing strategy in mainland China and economic growth, the Post said.

The park's second year losses comprise 34.8 million US dollars in admission, merchandise and food, 99.2 million US dollars in depreciation and 59.9 million US dollars in interest expenses, according to the Post.

Disney has repeatedly refused to reveal its attendance figures, even though the theme park, which cost 3.5 billion US dollars to build, is 57 per cent owned by the Hong Kong government.

The park is the first Disney park in China but has been criticized for its high entrance fees and for not having as many attractions as other Disney parks overseas.

According to the Post, the confidential documents show that new attractions are being planned to increase the number of rides and shows at the park.

The Hong Kong government expressed frustration at the management of the Disney park and called on it for a "continuous improvement" in the way it is run and what it has to offer visitors. (dpa)