Wanda to extend Danzhai village project
Dalian Wanda Group plans to donate 500 million yuan ($74.83 million) to support the second phase of construction of the Danzhai Wanda village.
It is the anniversary of the launch of Dalian Wanda Group’s poverty alleviation program Danzhai Wanda village in July, 2017.
Qi Jie, director of Wanda Group and president of Wanda Commercial Management Group, said the donation will fund the drama Splendid Danzhai, a traditional culture activity center, a visitor center and three spa hotels, to provide a better experience for visitors.
“Aiming to brand Danzhai as a national tourist resort, Wanda will attract investment to create an aquatic amusement program and specialty inns,” said Qi Jie at the launch conference for the second-phase of the Danzhai Wanda village poverty alleviation program.
Wanda has already donated 800 million yuan to build the Dong lake scenic spot, a business street, a folk culture experience center and other facilities in the village.
Danzhai is one of the most impoverished counties in China and the Danzhai Wanda village is a strategy to alleviate poverty by generating tourism income.
Danzhai is home to Miao and Dong ethnic groups and has a rich cultural heritage, including the creation of silver jewelry, handmade birdcages known as Ka La and batik as well as the traditional Miao golden pheasant dance.
Last year, 5.5 million tourists visited the area, generating tourism income of 2.4 billion yuan, four times that of 2016. Thousands of local residents have generated income by starting their own businesses in the village, selling agricultural produce, handicrafts and food to tourists.
“Taking advantage of Wanda’s technology, resources and management, Danzhai has effectively used its good environment and traditional culture to generate tourism revenue”, said Wang Dayang, an official of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development. “Danzhai Wanda village has set a good example showing that enterprise can alleviate poverty by promoting local industry and also offer local residents a sustainable way to sell their products.”
Wanda Group helped establish Guizhou Wanda Career Technical College in Danzhai, which offers professional training programs, such as nursing, accounting and tourism management. According to a company report, 405 students have attended the college and excellent graduates will be employed by Wanda Group.
Wanda’s work in Danzhai is part of a national project in which companies help transform impoverished villages. By the end of 2017, 462,000 companies were involved in 336,000 villages and 6.2 million impoverished people had benefited from the project, according to a State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development report.
Li Hanyi contributed to the story.