Disney CEO Bob Iger has said the company is confident ahead of the launch of Shanghai Disneyland next year, praising growth in the Chinese market.
The resort is the first Disney park to be built in mainland China. After an additional US$800m (€700m, £524m) was invested to expand the plans for Shanghai Disney Resort in April 2014, the current figure for the project stands at US$5bn (€4.8bn, £3.5bn).
“We’re very bullish on China, the Chinese consumer is still spending and they represent a great market for Disney,” said Iger speaking to
Bloomberg. “We believe we’re bringing a product that’s not only high quality but unique to that market and that it will be in demand among Chinese consumers.”
For its part, China has been very accommodating towards Disney. In recent months the government has
granted a special trademark to crackdown on unauthorised and counterfeit Disney properties, while also
shutting down more than 150 industrial sites heavily polluting the atmosphere near the under-development theme park. In addition to removing industrial polluters, the government is introducing a tourism zone, new agriculture, public services and eco-friendly sectors around Shanghai Disneyland.
“You’re dealing with a huge population base with growth in spendable income and urbanisation,” said Iger. “When you look at Shanghai and Disneyland you have access to a huge population base.
Split into six sections, the attraction has been earmarked for Q2 2015, with Iger promising the official date will be revealed at the start of 2016.
