China’s Haichang Ocean Park is to receive support from Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund (TDF) to build a marine-themed park in the kingdom.

Hong Kong-listed Haichang Ocean Park has signed a non-binding agreement with the TFD, according to a recent filing with the Hong Kong exchange (via the South China Morning Post).

This comes after the Asian theme park operator signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in April with Saudi Arabia’s investment ministry to develop LBE experiences across the kingdom.

Qu Naijie, executive director and chief executive officer of Haichang Ocean Park, said: “The board is of the view that the cooperation marks significant progress in the group’s benchmark project for ‘going global’… and is of strategic significance in the company’s internationalisation process.

“The cooperation will integrate the advantageous resources of both parties and help the group to establish an international brand, and to build a worldwide leisure and entertainment platform featuring marine culture.”

Qu said in the filing: “Acting as the development manager of the project, we aim to pioneer the development of a world-class, first of its kind, integrated marine theme park resort in Saudi Arabia, which will become a fully integrated destination.”

New Haichang experiences in the kingdom

According to the MOU signed earlier this year, Haichang Ocean Park has plans to develop theme parks, water parks, wildlife parks and family entertainment centres (FECs) in Saudi Arabia.

Cheng Qu, Haichang Ocean Park’s executive director, said the company aims to create “entertainment venues including the first world-class Ocean Park”.

Saudi Arabia is creating many giga-projects and attractions as part of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil.

Haichang owns and operates six parks in China, in locations such as Dalian, Yantai, Shanghai, Chongqing and Sanya. It has also licensed its brand to four other parks.

Images courtesy of Haichang Ocean Park