In a strategic move to enhance its tourism appeal, Shanghai is planning to transform the aging Jinjiang Action Park into a Harry Potter-themed attraction. This ambitious project, which is currently under negotiation with Warner Bros, aims to reopen the park by 2027 and is projected to attract over 2 million visitors annually. Local authorities anticipate that the park could generate annual revenue exceeding $150 million [75b0fb20].
The Jinjiang Action Park, which spans 103,000 square meters and has been in operation since 1984, is set to undergo significant renovations to align with the beloved Harry Potter franchise. Zhang Qi, the deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, confirmed that discussions with Warner Bros are ongoing, indicating a strong commitment to bringing this vision to fruition [75b0fb20].
This initiative comes on the heels of Shanghai's recent month-long arts festival, which successfully attracted around 20,000 international visitors and featured 1,600 shows, with a significant portion performed by overseas artists. The festival aimed to boost tourism and stimulate the local economy, especially after a reported 2% decline in retail sales in 2024 [6405cd09].
Shanghai's mayor, Gong Zheng, has expressed the city's ambition to become a leading hub for art and culture in Asia, a goal that aligns with the upcoming Harry Potter park project. The festival's success and the new theme park could work in tandem to revitalize the city's tourism sector, appealing to both local and international audiences [6405cd09].
As Shanghai and Hong Kong continue to compete for tourist attention, the focus on unique cultural experiences like the Harry Potter park and the recent arts festival may play a critical role in reshaping their tourism landscapes and contributing to broader economic goals set by Beijing [86559e34][6405cd09][75b0fb20].