Ocean Park ranks among world's best (hktdc.com)


	Ocean Park's Shark Aquarium is a rich breeding ground, recording increasing births of rare shark species

	The cable car offering spectacular views over the South China Sea is a thrilling ride at Ocean Park

Hong Kong can officially add theme parks to its long list of "world's best". The city's home-grown attraction, Ocean Park, has been recognised by prestigious Forbes.com as one of the 10 most popular theme parks in the world.

The accolade is a source of pride for the park's staff and people of Hong Kong, Ocean Park Chief Executive Tom Mehrmann said. "We want to extend our gratitude to all those who have supported us, including the local residents and the 75 million guests who have visited us over the past 29 years. We will continue to offer new and exciting attractions, as well as events and programmes to bring people closer to nature."

The news comes as marine-themed Ocean Park announced a record attendance of 4.38 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, the highest in the park's 29-year history, a 9 per cent increase over the previous year. Surplus soared along with the attendance growth to a record high of HK$156.5 million (US$20m). And it's set to be better than ever. In June this year, work began on a $HK5.55 billion (US$0.7 billion) redevelopment that will elevate the much-loved park to even greater heights.

Natural magic

Ocean Park started life as an oceanarium, and has gone from strength to strength to become Hong Kong's acclaimed educational theme park. Set on a hilltop overlooking the South China Sea, the park's spectacular views are an unbeatable natural asset, according to Ocean Park Corporation Chairman Allan Zeman. "Ocean Park is real," he said. "Mother Nature created the magic here, by giving us a setting no other theme park in the world can match."

Since its beginning, the park's aim was to provide a balanced mix of entertainment, education and conservation. Its commitment to scientific research has resulted in increasing success of the park's breeding programmes, with births of rare shark species, bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and gold fish being recorded. Endangered birds and butterflies are also being hatched and reared at Ocean Park.

Among its key attractions, the park is home to a pair of giant pandas, An An and Jia Jia, as well as Asia's first stand-alone sea jelly exhibit with 1,000 jellyfish.

In 1993, the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation was established to co-ordinate international efforts to conserve endangered marine animals in Asia. Six years later, the Hong Kong Society for Panda Conservation was also founded to educate the community and support conservation of giant pandas and their habitat.

New adventures

With the current redevelopment Ocean Park is entering a new phase – one that will bring brand new adventures, state-of-the-art rides and three resort hotels to its adoring public. More than 70 attractions will be on offer when the makeover is completed in 2010. The phased redevelopment schedule allows the park to stay open and minimise interference to patrons.

Although now nearly 30 years old, Ocean Park has continued to set attendance and profit records for the past few years. Known as the "people's park", it has been voted the most loveable site in Hong Kong. For Ocean Park chairman Allan Zeman, Forbes' "Top 10" accolade is a fitting international tribute.

"Forbes is considered a very prestigious media brand, and to be included as one of the top 10 theme parks in the world is really quite an accomplishment," Mr Zeman said. "This is a very good recognition for Hong Kong as the park is one that is much loved by the local community."