AS THE year of the rooster drew to a close, Hong Kong's controversial Disneyland theme park found itself with little to crow about.

Reports of poor attendances, staff unrest and rumours of a rival Disney park being planned for Beijing suggest that the new year of the dog might, in the circumstances, be appropriate.

It was all smiles last month when Disney's group chief executive Bob Iger sealed a deal to acquire Pixar. But in the Far East an air of depression hangs over its attempt to spread the Disney culture into the region.

The troubled tourist attraction, a joint venture between the Hong Kong government, which holds 57% of the stock, and the US-based Walt Disney Company which holds the balance, has never been far from controversy. As one leading Hong Kong politician admitted privately: "Hong Kong wanted a Disneyland at all costs, and that's what they got, and Disney are taking the Mickey."

Find out more about Hong Kong Disneyland's struggle to attract Chinese tourists at http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/business.cfm?id=181932006.