The future of theme parks in Greater China
In a contributed article in Bloomberg Businessweek, Keyestone Group Director Edwin Pun discussed how theme parks need key differentiators to stand out from the competition and tap the growing demand for family-oriented attractions. He highlighted how theme parks are leveraging technology to enhance the visitor experience, including virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, among others.
First published in Bloomberg Businessweek (Hong Kong and Taiwan Edition).
Edwin Pun: Keyestone Group to elevate the high-end domestic tourism market in China with international IP
Keyestone Group Director Edwin Pun shared in an interview with Ming Pao, opportunities Keyestone Group sees in Hainan's development as an international free trade port and a world-class travel destination. He discussed Keyestone Group's investment in the development of the Hello Kitty Theme Park in Sanya and its plans to continue to secure intellectual property rights to deliver best-in-class high-end tourism projects across Hainan and Greater China.
First published in Ming Pao.
Keyestone Group and Gezhouba Group Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement
Keyestone Group Holdings Limited ("Keyestone") and China Gezhouba Group Company Limited ("Gezhouba") have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to promote sustainable development in Hainan. Under the agreement, the partners will cooperate on areas including international intellectual property (IP) in cultural tourism, unique cultural towns, and healthcare and elderly care services. This cooperation is of strategic significance to Keyestone’s continued growth and investment in Mainland China.
Keyestone Group is a long-term investor in Hainan. Against the backdrop of the Hainan Free Trade Zone (Port) development roadmap, Keyestone is making strategic investments in Hainan’s integrated hotel, hospitality and tourism sectors, and in education, among other fields.
An industry trailblazer, Keyestone is driving innovation in world-class hospitality, residential and commercial projects, underpinned by excellence, long-term vision and social responsibility. Sanya, Hainan serves as the base and launchpad for the Group’s international IP in cultural tourism strategy, and the partnership with Gezhouba Group will strengthen Keyestone’s leadership position in this core business area.
Chen Jie, General Manager of Keyestone Group, said: "Keyestone Group is a conglomerate with diverse business across large-scale residential development and management projects, commercial mixed-use properties, service apartments, resorts, and cultural tourism landmarks. We have continued to make investments in Hainan through key projects including the Sanya Hello Kitty Theme Park Resort and the Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay Resort & Spa, the first cultural tourism project in Hainan to leverage international IP.”
“As the leading infrastructure construction firm in China, Gezhouba Group has rich experience in engineering construction and an outstanding ability in resource integration. This strategic cooperation will allow Keyestone and Gezhouba to tap significant synergies in our investment strategies and regional roadmaps, and leverage our strengths to develop international IP in cultural tourism, unique cultural towns, healthcare and elderly care services, among other areas," added Mr. Chen.
Xu Zhiguo, Vice President of Gezhouba Group, said: "As a core subsidiary of China Energy Engineering Group Company Limited, a Fortune 500 company, Gezhouba has built deep and consolidated expertise in managing large-scale energy, transportation, building construction, environmental protection and new infrastructure contracts. Over our 51-year history, we have developed five major business investment thrusts – international development, transportation, real estate, water infrastructure and cultural tourism – that underscore our strong investment and financing capabilities.”
Mr. Xu added: “We see the cultural tourism and urban renewal sectors as key business areas, and have invested in Chengdu’s Panda Old Town project, the Viacom global cultural and creative flagship project in Meishan, and the Longtan Industrial New City project in Nanjing’s Economic and Technological Development Zone. Gezhouba shares Keyestone’s development philosophy, and our complementary strengths provide a platform for broad partnership. We see the signing of this strategic cooperation agreement as an opportunity to start a new chapter in driving high-quality sustainable development."
After the signing ceremony, representatives of Keyestone and Gezhouba held a meeting to discuss cooperation opportunities.
Jeffery Pun: Keyestone Group to invest over 10 billion yuan in Hainan’s cultural tourism market
In an interview with 21st Century Business Herald, Keyestone Group CEO Jeffery Pun discussed the development of Hainan's cultural tourism market, and the growing demand for high-quality tourism products and changing consumer trends in China. Mr Pun also shared Keyestone Group's strategic development plan and commitment to invest in the travel and hospitality sector in Greater China.
First published in 21jingji.com.
Edwin Pun: Hello Kitty Theme Park to open in 2024
Keyestone Group Director Edwin Pun was interviewed by Tatler on the opening of the US$620 million Hello Kitty Theme Park in Sanya, as well as his background, experience, interests and ambitions.
First published in Tatler Taiwan.
Edwin Pun talks about opening the US$620 million Hello Kitty Theme Park In Sanya
Keyestone Group Director Edwin Pun was interviewed by Tatler on the opening of the US$620 million Hello Kitty Theme Park in Sanya, as well as his background, experience, interests and ambitions.
First published in Tatler Hong Kong.
Quality infrastructure key to strengthening Hainan
Hainan, China's largest island, has been a focus for investors and businesses in recent years, against the backdrop of the launch of Hainan's free-trade port in 2018 and the subsequent master plan in June 2020. More recently, the 15 signatories of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership have helped solidify Hainan's trade liberalization progress. The world saw the first batch of zero-tariff goods imported to Hainan's FTP on Dec 1, 2020.
Its exclusive status as China's only FTP, alongside benefits such as import duty levies, lowering income tax rates for high-level talent, capping company taxes at 15 percent and relaxing visa requirements for tourist and business travellers, makes Hainan an attractive destination.
As the province continues to develop, quality infrastructure that goes beyond critical facilities essential to economic activity will help reinforce Hainan's positioning as the China province to look out for in years to come.
Strengthening of critical infrastructure
Hainan has steadily strengthened its critical infrastructure to bolster the development of the FTP and establish itself as fertile ground for investment by domestic and foreign enterprises. According to Hainan's government, under the master plan five batches of key investment projects were centrally signed, reaching a total of 314 projects. Of these, 144 are focused on development of special parks and zones.
Much operational infrastructure construction is already underway, with some completed and already in use. Recent projects include a manufacturing park in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone, an aircraft engine maintenance base, a yacht dock project and the establishment of the first intercontinental air freight route in China, to name a few.
With the pace of development, there is room for growth beyond critical infrastructure to support the increasing number of investors, businesses and tourists coming to take advantage of Hainan's development.
Supported by encouraging tailwinds
Hainan has come a long way, shifting its focus from MICE – meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions – and becoming one of China's top tourism destinations, and now the only FTP in the country.
International investors and visitors looking to come to the island will seek out residential housing and recreational facilities on par with what they are used to. This demand, coupled with appealing policies and benefits, plans to green entire districts and improved transportation and zoning, make Hainan ripe for development and growth.
Opportunities in travel tourism market
Touted as 'China's Hawaii', Hainan is known for its beaches and attractive climate for families, couples and solo travelers alike. The province also offers golf clubs, medical tourism and is the only location in China to offer duty-free shops.
The demand for recreational activities catering to families is set to be on the rise with the uptick in tourism — and as more investors and entrepreneurs move to Hainan with their families. As of November 2020, a total of 54.97 million visitors have frequented the island, according to official data. Mixed-use projects combining residential, malls and entertainment facilities in an integrated fashion will likely be in high demand in coming years.
There is certainly space in the current travel tourism market for more upscale and high-quality entertainment destinations, with local governments welcoming prospective investors to develop high-end projects that can meet international market standards.
Distinguishing entertainment projects, such as theme parks, are a key part of any booming tourism cities and often an integral part of visiting that city. To join the ranks with Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore, Hainan is attracting the development of several theme parks and attractions.
With supporting tailwinds from the government, Hainan is set to be one of the fastest-growing provinces in China. It will continue to drive demand for quality infrastructure to support this growth.
The author is Chief Executive Officer of Keyestone Group.
First published in China Daily.
Hello Kitty theme park to open on Chinese resort island Hainan
Nikkei Asia reported that Keyestone Group will be opening a Hello Kitty Theme Park in Hainan, which is expected to attract over 2 million visitors a year when it opens in 2024. This would be a boost to Hainan's develppment as the island province seeks to attract more foreign investments to boost its leisure and recreation sector.
Keyestone Group to build the next Hello Kitty Theme Park in Sanya, expected to open in 2024
Keyestone Group CEO Jeffery Pun and Tomoko Tsuiji, CEO of Sanrio (Shanghai) International Trade Co., Ltd. has signed an agreement to develop the Hello Kitty Theme Park in Sanya's Haitang Bay, which will open in 2024.
The ceremony was held at Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay and was attended by Director-General Wang Sheng of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province; Deputy Secretary of the Sanya Municipal Party Committee and Mayor Adong; Hainan Province Deputy Head Wu Chuan; Member of the CPC Sanya Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of the Sanya Municipal People’s Government Chen Tiejun.
First published in Tencent.
Hello Kitty theme park resort settles in Sanya
A contract signing between Keyestone Group and Sanrio (Shanghai) International Trade Co., Ltd. took place on July 29, 2019, to establish and develop a Hello Kitty Theme Park resort in Sanya. The project will help attract 2 million visitors annually, and contribute to enhancing Hainan’s profile and reputation as an international tourist destination.
First published in ehainan.gov.cn.