Hello Kitty theme park to open in Hainan in 2024

Hong Kong-based conglomerate Keyestone Group will open a theme park for popular Sanrio character, Hello Kitty, in Hainan in 2024. The development will also include a themed hotel. Keyestone Group Director Edwin Pun said in the interview that the company will create a theme park for the post-COVID era leveraging technology and innovation such as wearable devices, among others.

First published in Nikkei Marketing Journal.

Conversation with Keyestone Group General Manager Chen Jie: Established intellectual properties are a major draw for theme parks to maintain vitality

In an exclusive profile interview with Jiemiam, Keyestone Group General Manager Chen Jie shared that Keyestone Group has capitalised on favourable policy drivers to develop strategic projects across residential, hospitality, cultural, education, and other fields in the past decade in China. With the development of the Hello Kitty theme park, Keyestone Group is committed to contributing to the development of cultural tourism in Greater China.

First published in Jiemian.

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.

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.

Jeffery Pun: Hong Kong’s Keyestone Group plans Hello Kitty theme park in Hainan to tap family tourism market

Keyestone Group CEO Jeffrey Pun spoke to South China Morning Post on the growing demand in the family entertainment industry in China. He also shared updates and projections on Keyestone Group's upcoming Hello Kitty Theme Park in Hainan, outlining the project's contribution to Hainan's tourism sector in terms of visitor arrivals and job creation. Keyestone Group has made an estimated capital commitment of over 10 billion yuan within three years to develop the theme park.

First published in South China Morning Post.

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.

First published in Nikkei Asia.