Ocean
Ocean Park has announced record attendance figures of 6 million guests this week, the highest in their 35-year history and record numbers for the eighth time in nine years. The previous record was broken with an unmatched 9 weeks to go before the end of the current fiscal year arrives at the end of June.
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Families have flocked to the attraction to experience the Hong Kong “New Ocean Park” and attendance has seen a 25% increase from locals thanks to the launch of Old Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures. To thank the local community for their on-going support, Ocean Park has allocated HK$6 million to Ocean Park Academy, Hong Kong (OPAHK) to support young student’s educational programmes designed to “nurture” the up and coming generation of conservation advocates.
Ocean Park are also to celebrate Mother’s Day with a range of family-orientated promotions including classes on how to make a Mother’s Day cake, the first-ever complementary behind the scenes tours and much more. There will also be a series of retail and dining offers for the Mother’s Day period, including premium jewellery offered at a 20% discount at Aqua City Crafts.
Dr. Allan Zeman, Chairman of Ocean Park, said: “Our popularity during this year has once again shown Ocean Park to be the region’s premier family edutainment and travel destination. During the first ten months of this fiscal year, we have seen a 15% increase in guests visiting from outside Hong Kong, and a 25% rise in local attendance.”
He went on to explain that every month for this fiscal year had broken records and said that Ocean Park are delighted that guests are helping the park to celebrate their 35th anniversary by visiting and taking advantage of the 35th anniversary promotions.
Ms. Suzanne Gendron, Ocean Park’s Executive Director of Zoological Operations and Education, who received the allocation on behalf of OPAHK, said, “Ocean Park was founded on the principle of education and this allocation towards education will be used to strengthen the educational content and appeal of exhibits through research into conservation issues and surveys of various key audience segments. This will help us better influence the public in changing their behaviour to support the conservation of wildlife and habitats.”
The 6 millionth guest, Mrs Or, was greeted by Phillip Yung, the Commissioner for Tourism and was visiting Ocean Park with her parents-in-law and two children. She explained that the family trips to the attraction have been something that has been a part of their family tradition for quite some time.
“It is triply meaningful to bring my parents-in-law to visit Old Hong Kong to immerse themselves in the golden period of Hong Kong between the 1950s and 1970s, introduce the younger generation to the wonderful world of conservation and help Ocean Park set a new attendance record at the same time. We look forward to making more wonderful memories at Ocean Park year after year,” she went on to say.
Mrs Or received a lifetime VIP pass and her accompanying guests are each to be given a free Smartfun Annual Pass. Additionally, the family will enjoy a behind the scenes tour, Haagen-Dazs and Keh Wah Bakery coupons and be treated to a slap-up dinner in Neptune’s Restaurant’s VIP room.