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NEWS
Wanda inks deal for US$9bn 'super sport-themed tourism complex' as Disney rivalry heats up
POSTED 30 Aug 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Wanda chair Wang Jianlin has dreams of overtaking Disney as the world's biggest tourist company Credit: Fortune Global Forum
China’s Wanda Group has taken the next step on its mission to become an unrivalled tourism entity; signing an agreement to build “the world's first culture, tourism, sports and commerce super complex.”

The group has pledged to invest CN¥63bn (US$9.4bn, €8.4bn, £7.2bn) to construct Jinan Wanda Culture, Sports and Tourism City – it’s 13th mega-development in the country.

Unlike its previous Wanda Cities, the new project in Jinan, Shandong province will have a sports theme. Facilities will include a professional ice hockey-basketball stadium with a 10,000 seat capacity and venues for football, cycling and extreme sports.

The 290 hectare site will include an indoor complex of 5.3 million sq m (57 million sq ft), with a Wanda Mall featuring an ocean-themed attraction and a children’s park.

The city will also have a 42 hectare outdoor theme park; the world's only full-scene dome-screen cinema; a large stage show venue; a bar street; and a hotel cluster with three resort hotels, including a six-star property.

Jinan Wanda City is planned to break ground in 2017 and start operation in 2021. According to Wanda’s billionaire chair Wang Jianlin – China's wealthiest individual – it is expected to receive over 20 million tourists, create 20,000 jobs and generate large amount of tax.

With its so-called ‘Wanda City plan’, Wanda is attempting to topple Disney as the world’s largest tourism enterprise by 2020. By that time, Jianlin wants his parks to have welcomed more than 200 million people and be earning annual tourism income in excess of CN¥100bn (US$14.9bn, €13.4bn, £11.4bn).

Jianlin’s rivalry with Disney has been in the spotlight since the latter opened its US$5.5bn (€5bn, £4.2bn) Shanghai resort earlier this year. He took to state television to warn Disney that “one tiger is no match for a pack of wolves”.

Among examples of Wanda Cities are the US$1bn (€895m, £764m) movie park in the Chinese city of Wuhan, which opened in January 2015, and the US$8.2bn (€7.3bn, £6.2bn) mega-complex in the eastern port city of Qingdao.

The company has also invested money in other parts of the world, including a theme park in Australia and France's EuropaCity.

RELATED STORIES
  Disney bites back after IPs are spotted at newest Wanda City


Following Wang Jianlin’s warning to Disney against development in China, tensions have further escalated after Disney said it was prepared to take action to protect its IPs after performers dressed as Snow White, Captain America and Stormtroopers were seen at its newest multi-billion dollar attraction in China.
  ‘One tiger no match for a pack of wolves’ says Wanda chair warning Disney off China


Wanda chair Wang Jianlin has taken aim at Disney, telling the company that “one tiger is no match for a pack of wolves” as Disney prepares to launch its first resort in China next month.
  Wanda Group to make multi-billion investment in Europa City


The Wanda Group is to announce a multi-billion dollar investment into the currently under-development Europa City on the outskirts of Paris.
  Wanda’s acquisition of Legendary Entertainment paves way for Jurassic World theme park


Chinese property and entertainment giant Wanda has announced the US$3.5bn (€3.2bn, £2.4bn) acquisition of Legendary Entertainment, opening the door for a Jurassic World theme park in Australia among a host of other future projects.
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Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef education and conservation.
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NEWS
Wanda inks deal for US$9bn 'super sport-themed tourism complex' as Disney rivalry heats up
POSTED 30 Aug 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Wanda chair Wang Jianlin has dreams of overtaking Disney as the world's biggest tourist company Credit: Fortune Global Forum
China’s Wanda Group has taken the next step on its mission to become an unrivalled tourism entity; signing an agreement to build “the world's first culture, tourism, sports and commerce super complex.”

The group has pledged to invest CN¥63bn (US$9.4bn, €8.4bn, £7.2bn) to construct Jinan Wanda Culture, Sports and Tourism City – it’s 13th mega-development in the country.

Unlike its previous Wanda Cities, the new project in Jinan, Shandong province will have a sports theme. Facilities will include a professional ice hockey-basketball stadium with a 10,000 seat capacity and venues for football, cycling and extreme sports.

The 290 hectare site will include an indoor complex of 5.3 million sq m (57 million sq ft), with a Wanda Mall featuring an ocean-themed attraction and a children’s park.

The city will also have a 42 hectare outdoor theme park; the world's only full-scene dome-screen cinema; a large stage show venue; a bar street; and a hotel cluster with three resort hotels, including a six-star property.

Jinan Wanda City is planned to break ground in 2017 and start operation in 2021. According to Wanda’s billionaire chair Wang Jianlin – China's wealthiest individual – it is expected to receive over 20 million tourists, create 20,000 jobs and generate large amount of tax.

With its so-called ‘Wanda City plan’, Wanda is attempting to topple Disney as the world’s largest tourism enterprise by 2020. By that time, Jianlin wants his parks to have welcomed more than 200 million people and be earning annual tourism income in excess of CN¥100bn (US$14.9bn, €13.4bn, £11.4bn).

Jianlin’s rivalry with Disney has been in the spotlight since the latter opened its US$5.5bn (€5bn, £4.2bn) Shanghai resort earlier this year. He took to state television to warn Disney that “one tiger is no match for a pack of wolves”.

Among examples of Wanda Cities are the US$1bn (€895m, £764m) movie park in the Chinese city of Wuhan, which opened in January 2015, and the US$8.2bn (€7.3bn, £6.2bn) mega-complex in the eastern port city of Qingdao.

The company has also invested money in other parts of the world, including a theme park in Australia and France's EuropaCity.

RELATED STORIES
Disney bites back after IPs are spotted at newest Wanda City


Following Wang Jianlin’s warning to Disney against development in China, tensions have further escalated after Disney said it was prepared to take action to protect its IPs after performers dressed as Snow White, Captain America and Stormtroopers were seen at its newest multi-billion dollar attraction in China.
‘One tiger no match for a pack of wolves’ says Wanda chair warning Disney off China


Wanda chair Wang Jianlin has taken aim at Disney, telling the company that “one tiger is no match for a pack of wolves” as Disney prepares to launch its first resort in China next month.
Wanda Group to make multi-billion investment in Europa City


The Wanda Group is to announce a multi-billion dollar investment into the currently under-development Europa City on the outskirts of Paris.
Wanda’s acquisition of Legendary Entertainment paves way for Jurassic World theme park


Chinese property and entertainment giant Wanda has announced the US$3.5bn (€3.2bn, £2.4bn) acquisition of Legendary Entertainment, opening the door for a Jurassic World theme park in Australia among a host of other future projects.
MORE NEWS
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef education and conservation.
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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