Gordon lauds EK’s contribution to tourism

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon recently lauded Enchanted Kingdom (EK), the country’s first and only world-class theme park for its significant contributions to the tourism industry.

Gordon who graced EK’s recent launch of its new attraction Kart Trak in Laguna, urged the public to support the theme park, both as part of a fast-track tourism solution to economic recovery and as livelihood creation for the province of Laguna.

The tourism chief noted that Enchanted Kingdom’s impressive performance in its eight years of operations is a shining example not only of visionary Filipino entrepreneurship, but also of the prospects of the DoT’s WOW Philippines campaign to boost tourism in the country.

EK president Mario Mamon, who led distinguished guests during the event, pointed out that the park has become the “leading man-made attraction in Laguna” with over eight million visitors in eight years.

It is also the most active Philippine member in the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the worldwide organization of the amusement industry. The park is the only facility in the country that retains the services of an independent, world-recognized company such as the International Theme Parks services (ITPS) to inspect and audit its facilities on annual basis without fail all throughout its eight years of operation.

Gordon also cited the park’s investment of over R1.2 billion in the province of Laguna and the employment it generated to over 400 Filipinos. “This has resulted in jobs and additional income for Laguna residents, who benefit from service opportunities arising from the park’s operations, from shuttle services to the sale of souvenirs and food,” he added.

Tourism, Gordon stressed, offers as much as 90 percent collection on revenues for enterprises, unlike other industries, like manufacturing, where revenues may be shared with foreign principals.

In support of EK, the secretary vowed to push for the speedy implementation of the South Rail project, which would make the Sta. Rosa-based park more accessible to the public.

Mamon, for his part, expressed support for the DoT’s campaigns, including National Tourism Week held from Sept. 22 to 28. EK offered special discount packages for visitors, including a Buy One-Take One promo on day passes for the duration of the tourism week celebration.

Apart from Kart Trak, Enchanted Kingdom’s other new attractions include Xtreme Paintball facility, 4D Discovery Theater (4-dimensional sensory theater) and the Mad Science shows for students.