The story behind Ocean Park

This year Ocean Park is celebrating its 30th years old birthday. Opened on January 1977, Ocean Park experienced its tough period from 1998 to 2004, the number of tourists dropped dramatically and the park had been suffering loss. Facing the challenge of Hong Kong Disney, repulsion of the old sites and recovery from SARS, people began to suspect the value of the park, some even suggested to shut it down. However, the HK government did not give up. In 2004, known as the father of Lan Kwai Fong, Allan Zeman was invited to be the president of the park, then Ocean Park began its new era, it was established a more prominent image as an ocean theme park in Southeast Asia. With the introduction of new animal species, brand new amusement rides and also the individual visit scheme from mainland China, the number of visitors reached the peak of 400 millions on the same year. It was the highest record since the park has opened and the figure kept rising afterwards. The renewal did not only attract new comers, but also brought the old visitors back to the park. The success of Ocean Park symbolized the Hong Kong spirit- aggressive, hard-working and adaptive. It is our treasure to share with all people around the world. Next time when you come to visit Ocean Park, try to think of the story behind, you may find more than what you see.