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Visitors overwhelm Oceanarium

04/06/2008

After only one month from its soft opening, the Manila Ocean Park’s state-of-the-art Oceanarium is fast becoming the world-class educational and entertainment venue it was intended to be, the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) said.

PTA General Manager Robert Dean Barbers has been keeping tabs on the public’s reception to the Philippines’ first-ever Oceanarium.

“The tremendous response our kababayans have been giving to the Philippines’ newest destination is overwhelming. Their affinity to the marine life in the Oceanarium definitely shows how much Filipinos love the ocean and the environment. Those who aren’t in love with it, fall too as soon as they visit the Oceanarium,” he added.

According to the Manila Ocean Park, the Oceanarium continues to captivate all its visitors, Filipinos and foreign tourists, by showcasing the beauty of the Philippine aquatic environment and its richly diverse marine life with more than 2,000 visitors per day on weekdays and at least 5,000 persons per day during weekends, lining up for the world-class aquatic experience.

Though the numbers may speak a lot for the effect the Oceanarium has on the influx of foreign and domestic tourists to the City of Manila, reports have reached the PTA speaking of overcrowding and the endless queues visitors have to endure before they can enter the Oceanarium.

“We would like to apologize for any inconvenience the public may have experienced. Before the end of next week, I would’ve met with the Ocean Park management on the new systems and procedures to further enhance the public’s enjoyment of the Oceanarium. Rest assured that we have always prioritized public safety, satisfaction and comfort in tourism development and we would like everybody to know that world standard guidelines in the viewing of the different aquatic exhibits shall be in enforced to ensure those who visit the Oceanarium the awe-inspiring experience it has been designed to be,” Barbers assured visitors.