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Ocean Park Appoints First-ever Travel Representative in India Guests from India More Than Tripled Over Past Six Years

2014-12-22

Ocean Park today announced the appointment of Nijhawan Group as its first-ever sales and marketing representative in India. Since 2008, Indian guests at Ocean Park have more than tripled, making the country a top-three source market, excluding China. With a history of over 40 years and a network of 42 offices across India, Nijhawan Group is ideally positioned to help drive awareness and attendance for Ocean Park among family and leisure travellers in India. To cater to the dietary needs of Indian guests, the Park now offers five Indian set menus, including one that is exclusively vegetarian and one catering to Jain vegetarians. There are also three Indian buffet menus, with one being entirely vegetarian.

Ms. Vivian Lee, Executive Director of Sales & Marketing at Ocean Park, said, “Ocean Park has worked closely with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to promote Hong Kong as a destination for travellers from India. The appointment of Nijihawan Group, with its long history and extensive presence throughout India, will help further strengthen our brand awareness and appeal among Indian travellers.”

Mr. Ankush Nijhawan, Managing Director of Nijhawan Group, said, “We are honoured to be selected by Ocean Park to be their first-ever sales and marketing representative in India, which further strengthens the portfolio of world-class hospitality brands and attractions we represent. Hong Kong has become an increasingly popular destination for Indian travellers. The first half of 2014 has already recorded a 14% year-on-year increase in Indian visitors to Hong Kong. India is one of the fastest growing markets of outbound tourists with an estimated potential of 50 million outbound travellers by 2020. To help elevate brand awareness and penetration for Ocean Park, we have staff members throughout India who are dedicated to promote Ocean Park.”

The Indian outbound tourism market is highly fragmented, with independent travel agents playing a pivotal role in the destination and itinerary choices of travellers. As Ocean Park’s representative, Nijhawan Group will identify and work with high potential travel agents and tour operators to ensure Ocean Park is incorporated into the FIT (frequent individual travellers), group and MICE itineraries arranged by these agents.

Nijhawan Group will keep the travel trade informed about Ocean Park’s latest offerings through trade fairs, roadshows, product presentations and digital outreach. They will also work closely with airlines and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to drive tourist traffic to Hong Kong and Ocean Park.

Ms. Vivian Lee added, “In 2009, we specifically recruited a highly experienced chef from India to ensure we can offer authentic cuisines to our guests from India. Our goal is to make our guests feel at home while enjoying our world-class offerings combining entertainment, education and conservation values. Now with Nijhawan as our business partner, we look forward to welcoming even more guests from India going forward.”