#USA #Orlando #Chimelong Group #IAAPA Hall of Fame #Su Zhigang

Historic Induction of Su Zhigang into the IAAPA Hall of Fame

On November 17, 2025, the theme park and attraction industry witnessed a momentous event at the "IAAPA Legends: A Hall of Fame Celebratory Affair" held in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Su Zhigang, the chairman of the Chimelong Group, was officially inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame, making him the first Chinese individual to receive this prestigious honor.

This recognition is a testament to Mr. Su's remarkable contributions to the global attractions industry, as well as the increasing international impact of the Chimelong brand as a cultural and tourism pioneer in China. In 2024, Su was also honored with the Buzz Price Award by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), solidifying his status as a global leader in the entertainment sector.

Founded in 1918, the IAAPA is the largest international association representing attractions and facilities, with over 7,500 members across more than 100 countries. The Hall of Fame was established in 1990 and is known for its stringent criteria for inductees, focusing on innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability.

Jakob Wahl, the president and CEO of IAAPA, praised Mr. Su’s visionary leadership, stating, "His extraordinary strategic vision has transformed the scale and landscape of the attractions industry in Asia, with an influence that resonates worldwide. His commitment to conservation, cultural preservation, and the fusion of tourism with entertainment serves as a model for the sector."

Mr. Su is among a select group of only eight individuals globally who have been awarded both the Buzz Price Award and the IAAPA Hall of Fame honor, and notably the only Chinese recipient among them. During his acceptance speech, Mr. Su expressed deep gratitude towards his country and the opportunities that have arisen due to China’s reform and opening up.

He stated, “Thanks to these reforms, I transitioned from a farmer to a business leader, slowly pursuing my dreams through entrepreneurial spirit.” He emphasized his belief that he is still a learner, ever striving to improve. This Hall of Fame induction, he remarked, isn’t merely an honor but a new starting point. "I will seize this opportunity to strengthen collaboration with my international peers, actively introduce cutting-edge technologies and management expertise, and contribute to elevating China’s cultural and tourism industry to a higher level of development."

Su Zhigang's journey began in Guangdong, where he was born into a farming family. His entrepreneurial endeavors commenced in 1989 with a restaurant, leading to the establishment of China’s first private safari park in 1997. Over the past 36 years, he has guided Chimelong to concentrate solely on cultural tourism. Through continuous innovation and exceptional creative capacity, he has successfully established three world-class tourist destinations: Chimelong Guangzhou Resort, Chimelong Hengqin Resort, and Chimelong Qingyuan Resort.

The Chimelong Group now showcases an extensive variety of attractions that have achieved 17 Guinness World Records alongside numerous accolades from TEA and IAAPA. These milestones signal the rise of Chinese brands in the cultural tourism market, with Chimelong welcoming millions of visitors from around the globe each year, now standing as a dynamic symbol of China’s growing capacity and potential in the global tourism landscape.

Looking ahead, Mr. Su reaffirmed that Chimelong would continue to drive innovation, explore new business models, and integrate advanced technologies to create theme parks that are more distinctive and widely appreciated across the globe.