AusLeisure

Hong Kong attraction Ocean Park this week broke its annual attendance record for the seventh time in the last eight years by surpassing 5.1 million visitors for the fiscal year.

The landmark was reached as a result of new attractions, creative event presentations, strong support from local guests and rising tourist arrivals. It took the Park less than eleven months to break the record that was set last year when attendance rebounded to above 5 million after persevering through the challenging global economic conditions of 2008/09.

With six more weeks to go before the current fiscal year ends on 30th June 2011, the public has ample time to help Hong Kong's People's Park make a push for a spectacular new record.

Speaking of the achievement, Ocean Park Chairman Dr. Allan Zeman explains "the record-breaking performances over the past eight years testified to our continuous efforts to give Hong Kong a home-grown, world-class theme park and tourist destination. The launch of Aqua City this year has brought resounding recognition of the New Ocean Park experience envisioned in our Master Redevelopment Plan (MRP) as we achieved best-ever attendance for the months of February and April.

"The past eight years have also seen us continuously elevate our creativity in presenting seasonal events. This year's Animal Month has given April's attendance a great boost while our 10th annual Halloween Bash, which we celebrated in October of this fiscal year, recorded the highest ever attendance for the event.

"Benefiting from rising tourist arrivals as the global economy continues to improve, we have welcomed about 20% more non-local guests this year. In the mainland China market, we continue to invest in online advertising and collaborate with travel agents on joint advertising. Our efforts to promote the Park by visiting key overseas markets also continue to bear fruit while the great work of Hong Kong Tourism Board and Tourism Commission help to ensure that Hong Kong remain a destination of choice for international visitors. It is also heartening to note that the attendance increase is driven in part by the strong support from the people of Hong Kong as Ocean Park welcomed (year-on-year) 70% more local guests during this year's Chinese New Year period.

"With increasing attendance, more people can benefit from our conservation advocacy and education. It also means that more resources can be directed to conservation research and projects. Many people helped make this possible and deserve our gratitude, including the Ng family, the loyal people of Hong Kong and our business partners. I would also like to thank the record number of guests from all over the world who have chosen to connect with nature at Ocean Park during their stay in Hong Kong.

"Our march towards a new annual attendance record over the next few weeks will be doubly exciting as we will also be counting down to the official opening of The Rainforest, which will offer a tropical rainforest experience with exotic animals and a thrilling rapids ride. Looking further ahead, we are already planning the scariest-ever haunted houses for our 11th Halloween Bash. We will be opening more attractions in our Thrill Mountain zone of exhilarating rides as we prepare for the 2012 opening of Polar Adventure, our new theme area featuring Arctic and Antarctic environments and animals. All these give us tremendous enthusiasm for the year-long celebration of our 35th anniversary in 2012."

The record-breaking guests, the Ng family, have received a Lifetime VIP Pass and are to take part in Dolphin Encounter and behind-the-scene tours of the Grand Aquarium and Amazing Asian Animals. Dr. Zeman concluded, "this has already been a most wonderful year as we have seen our attendance since inception surpass the 100-million mark. With six more weeks to go before the current fiscal year ends, I encourage everyone to visit Ocean Park before the ....

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