Investments in China’s theme parks driving Asian tourism

Latest News

Investments in China’s theme parks driving Asian tourism

November 15, 2016

Attractions / Culture / Entertainment / Retail / Tourism /

China’s theme park boom has been identified as a major trend for Asia in this year’s edition of the Global Trends Report, with new developments and an emerging middle class driving tourism in the region.

As its theme park sector continues to thrive, China predicts spending at its parks to reach nearly US$12 billion by 2020, with visitor numbers surpassing 330 million people. As Chinese disposable income rises, leisure attractions are reaping the rewards, with tourism numbers increasing as more leisure opportunities become available to tourists.

As of the end of 2015, China has 59 parks planned or under construction.

This explosion in theme park development in the country is due in part to the Chinese Government lifting a ban on theme park approval in 2013, enabling parks under US$800 million to be approved at a provincial level, encouraging investors.

Wouter Geerts, Lead Editor of the Global Trends Report and a Travel Analyst for Euromonitor explained “local theme parks are a little different from the international giants.

“Most importantly they operate a mixed tourism and property business model, with revenues from hotels, shops and apartments often more profitable than ticket sales into the park itself.

“This mix of shopping and theme park is a hugely attractive combination for a wide range of nationalities and ages.”

Future plans for parks include developments from giants such as Universal Studios, Six Flags, Ferrari and Fox, with all four operators planning multi-billion dollar developments in the country.

For more information go to http://blog.euromonitor.com/

Image: Chimelong Hengqin Ocean Kingdom, Zhuhai, southern China.

24th October 2016 - WANDA HIRES FORMER HONG KONG DISNEYLAND MANAGING DIRECTOR TO RUN THEME PARK DIVISION

18th October 2016 - NEW DALIAN WANDA CULTURAL THEME PARK OPENS IN SOUTHERN CHINA

24th September 2016 - OCEAN PARK CHIEF EXECUTIVE CONFIDENT OF ATTRACTING MORE VISITORS

27th May 2016 - ASIAN THEME PARKS LEAD GLOBAL ATTRACTIONS INDUSTRY GROWTH

5th September 2015 - MORE THAN 50 THEME PARKS UNDER DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

5th June 2015 - ASIAN MARKET DRIVES EXPANDING GLOBAL THEME PARK ATTENDANCES

23rd March 2015 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW ADVANCES ASIAN THEME PARK PLANS WITH JOINT-VENTURE WITH CITIC

23rd April 2014 - AQUARIUM AT CHIMELONG OCEAN KINGDOM CONFIRMED AS WORLD’S LARGEST

18th March 2014 - CHINA ON THE EDGE OF LEISURE BUILDING EXPLOSION

25th July 2013 - OCEAN KINGDOM PROJECT THE FIRST STAGE IN DEVELOPING THE ‘ORLANDO OF CHINA’

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.