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NEWS
Wanda expanding tourism empire with US$30bn investment
POSTED 25 Nov 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Wanda has several multi-billion dollar investments in the pipeline, such as Europa City in France
Wanda has announced two US$15bn (€14.2bn, £12bn) development projects in China, signalling chair Wang Jianlin’s continued efforts to make Wanda the world’s largest tourism entity by 2020.

The two major projects were both announced in the space of a week, with agreements signed between both China’s Shaanxi provincial government and Changsha municipal government to build theme parks, commercial centres and sports developments in Xi’an and Hunan Province.

In Hunan, a US$8.8bn (€8.3bn, £7bn) Wanda City will become the second in central China following Nanchang Wanda City. In addition to becoming a world-class tourism destination, Wanda will spend a further US$7.35bn (€6.95bn, £5.9bn) building 15 shopping malls in the region.

In Xi’an – the former Chinese capital home of China’s famous Terracotta Warriors – US$7.3bn (€6.9bn, £5.85bn) will be pumped into the development of a Wanda City, while a further US$7.7bn (€7.3bn, £6.2bn) will be invested across the province to develop commercial properties, and enhance culture, internet technology and finance. The investment will also include 19 shopping malls built across 10 cities.

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

Wang sparked a public feud with Disney in May, telling the company that “one tiger is no match for a pack of wolves” ahead of the launch of Disneyland Shanghai in June.

Wang opened two Wanda Cities in Hefei and Nanchang this year, with plans to have 15 such projects across China by 2020. Wanda is also plans to open a further five complexes overseas.
RELATED STORIES
  Wanda hires former Hong Kong Disneyland head to run theme park division


As Disney and Wanda’s public war for dominance across China continues to rage on, Wanda chair Wang Jianlin has reportedly hired former Disney executive Andrew Kam to lead its charge into the theme park sector.
  Crowdfunding launched to build international cricket stadium in Rwanda


A funding campaign to build a self-sustaining cricket ground of international standard in Rwanda is gathering momentum.
  Wanda 'wolf pack' grows as operator launches latest multi-billion dollar Wanda City development


Wang Jianlin’s public feud with Disney continues to heat up with the Wanda chair’s latest multi-billion Wanda City to open its doors tomorrow (23 September).
  Wanda inks deal for US$9bn 'super sport-themed tourism complex' as Disney rivalry heats up


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.”
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
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NEWS
Wanda expanding tourism empire with US$30bn investment
POSTED 25 Nov 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Wanda has several multi-billion dollar investments in the pipeline, such as Europa City in France
Wanda has announced two US$15bn (€14.2bn, £12bn) development projects in China, signalling chair Wang Jianlin’s continued efforts to make Wanda the world’s largest tourism entity by 2020.

The two major projects were both announced in the space of a week, with agreements signed between both China’s Shaanxi provincial government and Changsha municipal government to build theme parks, commercial centres and sports developments in Xi’an and Hunan Province.

In Hunan, a US$8.8bn (€8.3bn, £7bn) Wanda City will become the second in central China following Nanchang Wanda City. In addition to becoming a world-class tourism destination, Wanda will spend a further US$7.35bn (€6.95bn, £5.9bn) building 15 shopping malls in the region.

In Xi’an – the former Chinese capital home of China’s famous Terracotta Warriors – US$7.3bn (€6.9bn, £5.85bn) will be pumped into the development of a Wanda City, while a further US$7.7bn (€7.3bn, £6.2bn) will be invested across the province to develop commercial properties, and enhance culture, internet technology and finance. The investment will also include 19 shopping malls built across 10 cities.

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

Wang sparked a public feud with Disney in May, telling the company that “one tiger is no match for a pack of wolves” ahead of the launch of Disneyland Shanghai in June.

Wang opened two Wanda Cities in Hefei and Nanchang this year, with plans to have 15 such projects across China by 2020. Wanda is also plans to open a further five complexes overseas.
RELATED STORIES
Wanda hires former Hong Kong Disneyland head to run theme park division


As Disney and Wanda’s public war for dominance across China continues to rage on, Wanda chair Wang Jianlin has reportedly hired former Disney executive Andrew Kam to lead its charge into the theme park sector.
Crowdfunding launched to build international cricket stadium in Rwanda


A funding campaign to build a self-sustaining cricket ground of international standard in Rwanda is gathering momentum.
Wanda 'wolf pack' grows as operator launches latest multi-billion dollar Wanda City development


Wang Jianlin’s public feud with Disney continues to heat up with the Wanda chair’s latest multi-billion Wanda City to open its doors tomorrow (23 September).
Wanda inks deal for US$9bn 'super sport-themed tourism complex' as Disney rivalry heats up


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.”
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
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COMPANY PROFILES
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
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