PHILADELPHIA, March 3, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- MEDIA ADVISORY
WHEN: Wednesday, March 5, 2003 10 a.m. WHERE: RIDE THE DUCKS CONSTRUCTION RAMP Pier 11 Race Street and Columbus Boulevard Philadelphia, PA WHAT: Construction begins on Penn's Landing of the environmentally friendly ramp for Ride The Ducks, an amphibious sightseeing tour, that is launching in Philadelphia on Memorial Day weekend. Joining Scott Lewis, general manager of Ride The Ducks Philadelphia, and Dominic Sabatini, president of Penn's Landing Corporation, are James Cuorato, Director of Commerce, City of Philadelphia, Tom Muldoon, president of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Jeffrey Guaracino of Greater Philadelphia Marketing and Tourism Corporation. BACKGROUND: The Ride The Ducks amphibious sightseeing tour will be an 80-minute entertaining and interactive adventure through real world Philadelphia. The unique land-to-water tour will take passengers on a scenic journey through Old City, the Historic district, and South Street, before plunging into the water for a floating tour of the Delaware River along Penn's Landing. Ride the Ducks International, LLC, a company with over 31 years experience based in Branson, Missouri, has received joint approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Army Corps of Engineers, for construction of the environmentally friendly ramp. Ride the Ducks International, LLC has a long-term agreement with The Penn's Landing Corporation bringing this popular and successful attraction to the Philadelphia Waterfront. Ride The Ducks' vehicles currently operate in Branson, MO, Boston, MA, Baltimore, MD, and Seattle, WA carrying more than 750,000 passengers annually. Ride The Ducks converts 1945 era Army DUKW's into the comfortable, reliable, open- air vehicles that accommodate 38 passengers each. A DUKW has the automotive characteristics of a conventional 6x6 truck and is equipped with a watertight hull. The Ride The Ducks tour will be a seasonal operation, running Memorial Day through October, and employ several local employees in key positions such as captains, customer service representatives, mechanics, administration and box office personnel. Ride the Ducks tours will depart frequently, seven days a week, beginning May 24, 2003. No individual reservations are required. Tickets are available for sale at the departure point at 6th and Chestnut Streets and at the Independence Visitors Center, "your first stop for information, history and adventure in the Philadelphia region." For more information, check www.independencevisitorcenter.com. Adult admissions are $19.95; children ages 4-12 admissions are $10.95. Special discounts apply for seniors, military and groups of 20 or more. For more information, call 215- 227-DUCK (3825) or visit www.ridetheducks.com.
The Penn's Landing Corporation logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=349