Chinese cultural tourism pioneer Su Zhigang has cemented his legacy as the first recipient from the Chinese mainland to enter the IAAPA Hall of Fame, receiving the honor on November 17 at a ceremony in Orlando. This recognition comes 35 years after the establishment of the award often described as the 'Nobel Prize of cultural tourism.'
The Chimelong Group chairman earned the accolade through three decades of transformative work, including developing world-class resorts in Guangzhou, Hengqin, and Qingyuan that blend cutting-edge innovation with Chinese cultural elements. These projects have attracted over 200 million visitors since 2010, establishing new benchmarks for theme park experiences in Asia.
Su's induction places him alongside Walt Disney and other industry titans, while his dual recognition with the Thea Lifetime Achievement Award underscores China's growing influence in global entertainment tourism. Analysts note this achievement coincides with China's cultural tourism sector projecting 12% annual growth through 2028.
