Saturday, March 15, 2008 [ manilatimes.net ]
The Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) yesterday lauded the newly opened Manila Ocean Park for attracting thousands of local and foreign tourists in a short span of time.
“The Oceanarium [Manila Ocean Park] has only been open for only two weeks but the response has been tremendous. It’s really a big hit,” PTA General Manager Robert Dean Barbers said. “By showcasing indigenous marine life, it has encouraged people to visit and explore the country’s tourist destinations.”
An average of 2,000 individuals visit the marine-themed park on weekdays, while at least 5,000 persons drop by on weekends.
The park owned by China Oceanis Philippines Inc. features a wide variety of marine life of 2,000 colorful aquatic creatures such as sharks, morays, turtles and other species. It is the first world-class marine-themed park with an oceanarium, a mall, a boutique hotel, and an open water marine habitat.
Barbers also credited President Gloria Arroyo for the marine’s park success, citing that the Manila Ocean Park is part of her program to intensify tourism infrastructure development that will create more than 2,000 jobs and bring in millions of dollars in investments.
Mayor Alfredo Lim of Manila backed Barbers’ claims, saying “the newest tourist attraction will surely make the City of Manila one of the major destinations in Southeast Asia.”
Manila Ocean Park Vice-president for Sales and Marketing Armi Ruby Marie Cortes said the park is expected to draw millions of visitors on its first year because it offers a “beyond the usual” tourist experience. 
-- Rommel C. Lontayao
