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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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Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
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Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
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
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [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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©Cybertrek 2026

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