[ Malaya.com.ph ] April 8, 2009
By GENIVI FACTAO
China Oceanis Philippines is investing P1 billion for new attractions at the Manila Ocean Park which it hopes to launch within the year.
China Oceanis specializes in the investment, building, and operation of public aquaria/oceanarium attractions.
This year, China Oceanis will add to the existing Oceanarium at the Manila Ocean Park the Makansutra Asian Food Village, Hotel H2O, and Sunset Quay.
The P1-billion investment is spread out until next year.
"Given the current economic standing of the country, people will opt to spend their holidays closer to home. The challenge for us is to be able to provide one-of-a-kind destinations that will match those that they visit abroad," said Van Kam Weng, China Oceanis Philippines’ general manager.
The Makansutra Asian Food Village, a food museum and restaurant, aims to introduce "edutainment" through a multisensory dining experience and interaction.
It has a 500-seating capacity and will be showcasing different food types in "hawker" style, a style of food selling that is very popular in Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, and China. In the Philippines, they are known as "carinderias."
By the third quarter, the company will be unveiling Hotel H2O, the first ever aquarium-themed urban resort hotel in the country.
The hotel will have 127 rooms and 20 suites and is comprised of two floors connected by a long aquarium wall, housing the Club H2O, fitness center and spa.
Aside from the hotel, further expansions within the Manila Ocean Park Complex include the Open Water Marine Habitat and the Sunset Quay.
The Sunset Quay will be a row of restaurants and bars for dining and strolling during the day, and a bustling night life sunset.
The Open Water Marine Habitat is a 24-hour diving facility, which is due to open in 2010.
Manila Ocean Park will be holding a job fair on April 14 and 15 for hundreds of positions made available by its expansion program.
Aside from Manila Ocean Park, the company currently owns and operates two Underwater World facilities in China.