Dubai retail giant, Majid Al Futtaim, make its debut in China with the “world’s biggest” ski park, Wintastar Shanghai indoor ski park.
Majid Al Futtaim is currently the operator of Ski Dubai and Ski Egypt. The company will operate Wintastar Shanghai, their first property in China.
The ski resort will open in 2022, and is hoped to attract an estimated 3.2 million visitors annually.
The total floor area will be 227,000 square metres. The highlight of Wintastar Shanghaiwill be a 90,000 sq m Ski & Snow Park, with three ski slopes (including one of Olympics standard); ski runs, and over 25 snow play attractions.
There will also be themed retail, food and beverage outlets. There will be a spa, a Nordic-themed water park, show events, exhibitions and performances.
Four hotels will be opening, offering a combined 1,000 rooms.
Singapore property developer KOP announced the project.
Ong Chih Ching, executive chairman and executive director of KOP, said: “This is KOP’s largest project so far, and we are excited to work alongside our strong local partners to push new boundaries and introduce new and innovative concepts to the Chinese market.”
Wintastar Shanghai is a jointly funded by three organisations. They are Shanghai Lujiazui Development (Group) Company, Wintastar Holdings, a subsidiary of KOP, and Shanghai Harbour City Development (Group) Co. Together they have formed Shanghai Snow Star Properties Co.
Mohammad El Etri, director of Global Snow Operations and Projects of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, said: “We have high expectations of China’s winter sports and tourism market, especially as more and more Chinese visit the UAE and Ski Dubai.”
The eponymous Majid Al Futtaim Group (MAF) started life in 1992 after its founder split the Al Futtaim empire with his cousin. It is active in leisure, entertainment, retail, hospitality and food & beverage.
According to Forbes, Majid Al Futtaim had a net worth of $5 billion, as of February 2016. The founder was named one of Blooloop’s 50 theme park influencers in 2018.
Image courtesy KOP Properties
https://www.arabianbusiness.com/retail/403426-dubai-retail-giant-to-operate-worlds-biggest-ski-park-in-china
