A visit to Hong Kong would not be complete without going to Ocean Park and the homegrown park operational since 1977 is in the midst of an $800 million master redevelopment plan that will double the present number of attractions at the park.

"Every year, at least two new attractions will be opened to the public. So, by 2012, a much better Ocean Park with more educational sites and thrilling attractions will be made available to the public," Teo Mehrmann, CEO of the park said.

This early, the park is preparing for the Halloween Bash, the biggest Halloween event in the world, featuring 40 Halloween attractions, a 250-strong cast of ghostly characters, 10 shows with 40 daily performances, seven haunted houses, and Halloween attractions for younger guests at Ocean Park Kids’ World.

Merhrmann was in town recently selling the park to local tourists. Filipinos make up the third largest group from East Asia that visits the park next only to China and Korea.

Some 450,000 Filipinos went to Hong Kong last year, of the total, 66,200 visited Ocean Park, higher than the 54,800 who did in 2005.

For the first six months of this year, Mehrmann said that 50,800 Filipinos have gone to Ocean Park.

"The popularity of Ocean Park is rooted in its ability to come up with what is relevant to the market, coupled with its founding mission to connect guests with nature through world-class entertainment driven by strong conversation values, and educational programming," Mehrmann said.

Despite competition provided by Disneyland Hong Kong, Mehrmann said that Ocean Park still enjoys a distinct edge over their closest competitor.

"I believe we are not competitors. I think we compliment each other. If you want animated mouse, go to Disneyland, but if you want a real mouse, go to Ocean Park," Mehrmann said.

What started as an oceanarium has gone to become Hong Kong’s acclaimed educational theme park.

Forbes.com ranked Ocean Park as one of the "10 Most Popular Amusement Parks in the World", while Travel Weekly recognizes it as the best theme park in Asia.

Also, according to Forbes Travel, Ocean Park is among the world’s 50 most visited tourist destination.

Ocean Park is also selected by locals and international visitors alike as one of Hong Kong’s defining landmarks, alongside Victoria Peak, the Big Buddha on Lantau Island, and Victoria Harbour.

Ocean Park is also home to an extensive family of animal ambassadors, from dolphins, sea lions and sharks, to birds and giant pandas – the endangered "national treasures" of China.

Earlier this year, Ocean Park welcomed a couple of young pandas – Ying Ying and Le Le – which were given to the people of Hong Kong by the Central People’s Government of China, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Together with giant pandas An An and Jia Jia, which arrived in Hong Kong in 1999, the four pandas attracted more than 500,000 guests in July 2007, and over 650,000 guests in august 2007.

Ocean Park has an ever-expanding portfolio of permanent attractions, such as Hong Kong’s first and only helium balloon ride attraction, the Sky Star at Ocean Park sky Fair Plaza; Sea Jelly Spectacular, the largest standalone sea jelly aquarium in Asia; with thrilling roller-coaster rides, and an impressive cable car line that offers breathtaking sea and mountain views of the scenic South Side Hong Kong Island.