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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
Belgin Aksoy prepares to mark 15 years of Global Wellness Day on Saturday 13 June
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
Mayrlife opens first hotel day clinic in partnership with Rosewood Vienna
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
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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
Belgin Aksoy prepares to mark 15 years of Global Wellness Day on Saturday 13 June
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
Mayrlife opens first hotel day clinic in partnership with Rosewood Vienna
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth offers ocean-themed yoga for Global Wellness Day
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
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.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Why future-ready in-house laundry is the new luxury spa essential
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]

Endospheres' new protocols are designed to meet real client needs
Spa professionals see it every day: clients are arriving with more complex expectations. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
BC Softwear Ltd

Established in 2002 by Barbara Cooke, BC SoftWear provides unmatched expertise in the crafting of th [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026

World Bathing Day

Worldwide,
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
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