NEWS: Politician Hopes to Bring Disney to the Philippines

[Airtime&Gravity]

MANILA, Philippines — Is the land “where dreams come true” becoming a reality for the Philippines? Representative Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin has reportedly written a letter to Thomas Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, encouraging him to expand the international leisure park franchise on Philippine soil.

 

Working with the Department of Tourism, Lazatin aims to catapult the Philippines to the top spot of the best tourist destinations in the world, claiming the success of the endeavour will urge more foreign visitors.

 

Lazatin markets the Clark Freeport Zone as the perfect site to build the world renowned theme park. He writes, “The Clark Freeport Zone may interest you and Walt Disney as the next location for your famous Disneyland theme park, as it boasts of a 4,400-hectare main zone and 27,600-hectare subzone.”

 

Moreover, he mentions how this project will also benefit Walt Disney, referring to Clark Freeport Zone’s tax free privilege for developers, and the already prolific tourist status in the Philippines. An estimated 4 million foreigners visit the country per year.

 

In the letter, he wrote, "Together with our population of more than 90 million Filipinos, a Disneyland theme park in the Philippines could be a major income generating site for your company."

 

In another letter to DOT Chairman Ramon Jimenez, Lazatin explains, “I notified (Walt Disney) that Clark Freeport Zone also has its own world-class airport and hotels which can accommodate the influx of foreign and local tourists.”

 

Trending worldwide, the news received mixed reactions, with many debating the practicality and success of the plan amidst widespread poverty in the country.

 

In Asia, Disneyland theme parks are found in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Shanghai. - Rappler.com

 

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In the slim chance it does happen, it would be cool to see a Disney park in the Philippines. It would open up a huge market in Southeast Asia, and I can see it doing very well assuming they open a full park instead of doing what they did in Hong Kong.

Edited May 7, 2012 by Airtime&Gravity

[ginzo]

Oh dear.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Uhm, it's already there!!!!

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/photo.php?pageid=502&linkid=6377

[MrSum1_55]

Hmm, this will be "interesting". If, by chance, this does happen, this country will easily be the least wealthy to receive a Disney park. The per capita GDP of the Philippines is only about $4,000, lower than Guatemala and Honduras. We will jus thave to see how this turns out.

[XYZ]

Um, this is interesting. Really, nobody visits the Philippines unless they have relatives there. Philippines also is an island nation meaning that there won't be much international visitors to Disneyland. I don't think the country is ready as I think it's classified as a third world nation and with a population of 90 million, I just don't see many people coming. China is a third world nation, but how Disney is successful there is because of the high amount of tourism and population. Honestly, I think the next country that needs Disney is either Brazil or India with large populations and don't have many theme parks. The Philippines already have Enchanted Kingdom which is good enough for the size of the country. Really, I would see Disneyland Philippines being built if Disneyland Vietnam was built.