Asia stories

In depth

Attend IAAPA Expo Asia 2024 to explore the future of entertainment

Category: IAAPA

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Immersive storytelling: creating Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland

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Disney
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Kiss of the Sea: a multi-layered, multimedia experience in Phu Quoc

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Immersive experiences
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All the recipients of the 30th annual Thea Awards

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Awards
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Unique IP, theming & more: marine walkthrough at Chimelong Spaceship

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Aquarium design

Asia

Asia is the world’s largest continent in terms of both area and population. With 4.7 billion inhabitants, it has more people than all other continents combined and accounts for nearly 60% of the world’s population.

Asia also has a thriving attractions industry, from established markets like China and Japan and fast-growing countries like Saudi Arabia to newer markets like Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

In China, there are offerings from big names such as Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Beijing. There are also several popular Fantawild theme parks and water parks, and Merlin Entertainments is working on the construction of LEGOLAND properties in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Sichuan and Beijing. There is also a booming FEC sector and several popular museums, a number of which feature in the TEA’s index of the world’s most visited.

Japan is home to many attractions, including Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan, the new Studio Ghibli Theme Park and Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Happy Potter. Korea also has a booming attractions industry with popular parks like Everland and Lotte World. In Singapore, visitors are spoilt for choice with the likes of Resorts World Sentosa (home to Universal Studios Singapore and Adventure Cove) and Gardens by the Bay, as well as many quality museums.

In recent years, many new attractions have opened in Asia’s newer markets. For example, Sun Group operates a number of theme parks and water parks in Vietnam, Indonesia boasts unique attractions like Trans Studio Cibubur, and the Sim Group is expanding its Escape portfolio in Malaysia. The attractions industry is also taking off in India, particularly the museum sector.

In Saudi Arabia, the Public Investment Fund is working on a number of giga-projects, from Qiddiya to Neom. Elsewhere in the Middle East, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are home to world-class attractions and Qatar is also starting to compete on the global scene.