(28 May –Hong Kong) In just 10 months and 28 days, Ocean Park today (28 May) surpassed the previous year’s full-year attendance record of 4,030,000 guests, which was set on 29 June last year. Ocean Park chairman, Dr Allan Zeman, and Hong Kong Tourism Board Executive Director, Ms Clara Chong, presented an Ocean Park Life-Time Pass, good for 4,030,001 free visits, bundled with four million candy pieces, to the Chan family from Hong Kong, a member of which became Ocean Park’s 4,030,001th guest today.
The Ocean Park 2005/2006 fiscal year is from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006.
The happy family of four from Hong Kong Island East received a multitude of gifts, including special behind-the-scene tours of animal habitats, such as those offered on the Honorary Giant Panda Keeper programme, Dolphin Encounter, and Animal Meet and Greet.
In presenting the Life-Time Pass to the Chan family, chairman Dr Zeman said, “As we all cheer about this remarkable achievement of breaking last year’s full year attendance record in 10 months and 28 days, we must say a big thank you to all our guests who made this happen. We could not have done this without them.”
Dr Zeman also thanked the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) for their efforts in boosting overseas visits to Hong Kong. “Overseas guests account for 50 percent of our attendance, and continues to show strong growth. We appreciate the efforts of HKTB in creating awareness and motivation in overseas markets to choose Hong Kong as a destination,” he said.
Dr Zeman also thanked the tour operators in Hong Kong who bring tour groups to Ocean Park.
Dr Zeman further acknowledged the efforts made by all Ocean Park staff. “All through these years, our colleagues have one common goal, which is to create a good experience for each of our guests. I am happy that our guests are responding with their support,” he said.
The Chan Family is from Hong Kong, and represents resurgence in 2006 of this market segment for Ocean Park. According to Dr Zeman, local guests today make up around 50 percent of the total annual attendance, with the other 50 percent being overseas tourists.
“We are pleased to see this trend, particularly because Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s home-grown theme park. We have worked very hard to improve what we already have. We again thank the people of Hong Kong for their continued support of Ocean Park,” Dr Zeman said.
“To achieve this record attendance at this time holds special significance to us, as Ocean Park will celebrate its 30th anniversary in January 2007. We will develop more events and attractions over the future, and we look forward to providing another 30 years of record-breaking performance with great fun and excitement for our guests,” Mr Zeman said.
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About Ocean Park
Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s unique home-grown theme park with a heritage of delivering family fun and fond memories. Since its opening in January 1977 as a non-profit organization, Ocean Park has developed itself to be a world-class attraction connecting people with nature, and recognized for its animal husbandry, research and relationship with the community. Over 70 million people have visited Hong Kong's premier park since its inception and Ocean Park has remained committed to offer adults and children experiences that blend entertainment with education and conservation.
