🎉 Big news in the world of cultural tourism! On November 17, at the IAAPA Legends Hall of Fame event in Orlando, USA, the Chinese mainland’s Su Zhigang—chairman of the Chinese mainland’s Chimelong Group— made history as the first person from the Chinese mainland to be inducted into the 2025 IAAPA Hall of Fame. 🌏✨
The IAAPA Hall of Fame is the top-tier global award in cultural tourism, with past honorees like Walt Disney. Su Zhigang was recognized for his 36 years of groundbreaking innovation and operational excellence in the industry.
Under his leadership, Chimelong has built three world-class cultural tourism resorts in Guangzhou, Hengqin and Qingyuan, showcasing the growing global influence of Chinese mainland brands in immersive travel experiences. 🎡🏞️
He’s also one of only eight industry leaders worldwide to earn both an IAAPA Hall of Fame induction and the TEA Buzz Price Thea Award for Lifetime Achievement—and the only one from Asia. Talk about a legacy! 🚀
For young travellers and tech-savvy pros in South Asia and Southeast Asia, Su’s journey shows how bold ideas and relentless drive can reshape the way we experience culture and entertainment. 🌟
Stay tuned for more stories on global trends, lifestyle inspo, and next-gen innovations right here! 🚀
Reference(s):
China's Su Zhigang inducted into global cultural tourism Hall of Fame
cgtn.com
