With over 3,000 amusement parks and a wealth of other attractions, China has become one o the world’s key tourism markets and the darling of Asia. Park World looks ahead to the first Asia Tourism Property & Attraction conference (ATPS), where operators, suppliers and investors will be able to learn also about the industry in China and beyond.
Last year China’s tourism industry generated more than US$100 billion, and by 2020 around 100 million inbound travellers are expected on an annual basis. At the time, China’s middle class continues to grow in both size and wealth, and with it the demand for leisure, entertainment and property increases. Yet for most players, China is still relatively new terrain.
It is against this backdrop that ATPS hopes to attract an audience for its two-day, seminar programme, which will be complemented by various question and answer sessions with industry leaders and decision makers. A list of conference highlights is included below.
The distinguished list of speakers, many of them delivering individual park/attraction case studies, will include senior representatives of Huanguoshu Tourism Group, Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, Ngong Ping 360, OCT Holdings, Walt Disney, FantaWild Holdings, Enchanted Kingdom (Philppines), Jianfusun Fancyworld (Taiwan), Samsung Everland (Korea), Essel World (India), Universal Studios Japan and the Beijing Olympic Games.
Also included in the event are various social and recreational activities including a cocktail cruise on the Huangpu River and a post-conference sightseeing trip to Zhujiajiao. Managing the proceedings will be the Shanghai-based Global Leaders Institute, a leading provider of business information. The event also has the backing of the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Trade Association.
Conference highlights
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
Key Drivers to China’s Economy
A keynote session examining inbound outbound and domestic travel, theme park and attraction development, strategies for building a national tourism brand and opportunities for foreign investors.
Shanghai World Expo 2010
An profile of this upcoming event, together with an examination of world expo parks and exhibitions in general, as well as an insight into uses for the Shanghai facilities after the expo ends.
Investment Opportunities in 2nd and 3rd Tier Cities
With populations still well into the millions, China’s second and third tier cities have plenty of tourism potential and provide opportunities for those operators looking to develop attractions in somewhere less obvious than major centres like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
Is China’s Theme Park Market Overheated?
Another keynote session, examining the current development status and some of the associated problems, while also identifying locations and market potential, as well as addressing where the revenue comes from.
Innovative and Diversified Tourism Real Estate Strategies
It would be wise for anyone that plans to develop a tourism attraction in China to consider how important real estate can be when it comes to securing sites, funding and the viability of the overall project. This session will highlight suitable strategies.
Disneyland – The Experience Of Happiness And Dream
Disney’s parks in Tokyo are among the world’s most popular, while its Hong Kong property has scrutinised intensely by observers since debut. This session will reveal some of the operator’s novel and unique experiences, while also examining the way Disney has integrated various parts of the local culture into the Hong Kong experience.
The inaugural Asia Tourism Property & Attraction conference takes place at the Shanghai Marriott Hotel, Hongqiao, on June 12 and 13. For more information, including registration fees and a full list of seminars, please refer to www.tourism-attraction.com
