Time for another change for Zeman about town

Entertaining Hong Kong seems to be the theme behind Allan Zeman's career, earning a fortune and a wealth of respect on his way to the top.

The Canadian-born entrepreneur was famous for turning Lan Kwai Fong into an icon for Hong Kong nightlife before he was parachuted into the government-owned Ocean Park in 2003. He took over as its chairman in the midst of the Sars-induced economic doldrums.

On June 30, Zeman will leave the post after an 11-year stint that has turned the theme park's financial losses into healthy profits and seen off fears that the 37-year-old park would not survive Disney's arrival in town in 2005. At one point, Zeman was referred to as "the mouse-killer".

"There are so many unforgettable things I've done over the years," Zeman told the yesterday. 

"It is the joy of being able to bring happiness to Hong Kong and creating something that attracts worldwide attention."

Zeman's penchant for wearing eye-catching outfits to the park's press conferences certainly helped garner attention. He's been a jellyfish, a showgirl and a bathing panda - and even flew in once by jet pack.

Zeman was aged 19 when he moved to Hong Kong and once described arriving in the city as like landing on the moon.

He started exporting clothing back to Canada but by 1983, Zeman had opened his first restaurant in Lan Kwai Fong.