The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has elected Mario Mamon, chair and president of Enchanted Kingdom in the Philippines, as the organisation's third vice chair.

Mamon is the first industry executive from Asia to be named to the position and as part of the role, will become IAAPA chair in 2013.

Mats Wedin, chair of the IAAPA's nominating committee and president of Liseberg theme park in Sweden, said: "We were very impressed with Mario's background and experience.

"He understands the issues and opportunities that are important to IAAPA and to the global attractions industry and he has firsthand experience in the industry's fastest-growing region, Asia-Pacific. We know he will play a key role in moving the association forward in the years ahead."

Mamon has been involved in the attractions industry since 1992 when he organized, conceptualized, and managed the construction of the Enchanted Kingdom theme park which is currently celebrating its 15th anniversary.

He was part of a core group of individuals who created IAAPA-ASEAN (the attractions industry federation of national associations in Southeast Asia) in 2005 and in 2006 he spearheaded the formation of the national association for the attractions industry in the Philippines (PhilAPPA).