Sharing China’s Soft Power With The World

This recognition follows his receipt of The Buzz Price Award from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) in 2024, a milestone that underscores both Su’s global leadership and Chimelong’s rising stature as China’s pioneering cultural and tourism brand on the world stage.

Founded in 1918, IAAPA is the world’s largest permanent international association for amusement facilities and attractions, representing over 7,500 members across more than 100 countries and regions. Established in 1990, the IAAPA Hall of Fame is widely regarded as one of the highest honors in the global attractions industry, with exceptionally rigorous criteria covering innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable development.

Only eight individuals worldwide have received both the Buzz Price Thea Award and induction into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. Mr. Su Zhigang is the sole Chinese honoree among them.

During his acceptance speech, Su said: “I want to express my gratitude to my country and to the opportunities created by China’s reform and opening-up. It is because of these reforms that I was able to rise from a farmer and, step by step, pursue my dreams through entrepreneurship.”

He stated: “No matter where I am, I always consider myself a beginner — someone who must keep learning and keep striving. This induction into the IAAPA Hall of Fame is not only an honor, but also a new starting point. I will seize this opportunity to further strengthen collaboration with international peers, actively introduce advanced technologies and management expertise, and help elevate China’s cultural and tourism industry to new global heights.”

Born into a farming family in Guangdong, Su Zhigang began his entrepreneurial journey with a restaurant in 1989 and founded China’s first privately operated safari park in 1997, laying the foundation for what would become Chimelong Group. Over the past 36 years, he has led Chimelong to laser-focus on cultural tourism. Through continuous innovation and exceptional creative capability, he has successfully built three world-class integrated resorts — Chimelong Guangzhou Resort, Chimelong Hengqin Resort, and Chimelong Qingyuan Resort, destinations that have redefined industry standards and earned global acclaim.

To date, Chimelong Group’s diverse attractions shine on the global stage, with 17 Guinness World Records and a long list of prestigious awards from TEA and IAAPA — milestones that signal the rise of China’s homegrown cultural tourism brands. Welcoming millions of visitors worldwide every year, Chimelong has become a dynamic symbol of China’s growing capability and potential in the global tourism landscape.