It had been reported that Warner Bros was preparing to launch a Making of Harry Potter studio tour in Shanghai by 2027, marking a significant expansion of its global entertainment portfolio. The project had been seen as a strategic move, demonstrating US companies’ confidence in China’s growing consumer market and booming tourism sector.
The collaboration between Warner Bros and Jin Jiang International Holdings Co Ltd, one of China’s leading travel and hospitality conglomerates, had been expected to bring a first-of-its-kind Harry Potter experience to a Chinese city. Industry analysts had noted that this project would become the third such attraction in the world, reinforcing Shanghai’s position as a major hub for international theme park tourism.
While the project had still been in the regulatory approval stage, it had been anticipated to transform Shanghai Jinjiang Action Park, which had recently closed for a comprehensive upgrade, into a top-tier entertainment and tourism destination.
How This Attraction Will Impact Travel and Tourism
Industry experts had predicted that the Harry Potter-themed experience would bring a massive surge in visitor numbers, not only from within China but from across Asia and beyond. This attraction had been expected to:
- Boost inbound tourism, attracting Harry Potter fans from around the world.
- Strengthen Shanghai’s global tourism appeal, adding to its lineup of world-class attractions.
- Enhance China’s cultural tourism industry, driving new revenue streams for local businesses, hotels, and transportation services.
What Visitors Can Expect
According to the project details, the Making of Harry Potter studio tour in Shanghai had been planned to span approximately 53,000 square meters, featuring both indoor and outdoor sections.
Upon completion, the tour had been estimated to take around half a day, allowing visitors to:
- Explore iconic film sets, recreating the most memorable scenes from the franchise.
- View original costumes and props, offering an authentic behind-the-scenes experience.
- Immerse themselves in interactive exhibits, bringing the Wizarding World to life.
Industry insiders had pointed out that Warner Bros’ success with similar attractions in London and Tokyo had proven that the Harry Potter brand remained a powerful draw in global tourism.
Shanghai’s Growing Role as a Theme Park Capital
Shanghai Jinjiang Action Park, where the new Harry Potter attraction had been set to open, had already been undergoing a major transformation. Originally launched in 1984, the 100,000-square-meter amusement park had been the city’s first major recreational facility.
As part of the planned renovations, the park had been expected to update its infrastructure and upgrade attractions, including the famous Shanghai Great Wheel, to align with modern international theme park standards.
Zheng Bei, chairwoman of Shanghai Jinjiang Action Park, had stated that the revamped park had been projected to increase annual visitors from 800,000 to approximately 2 million upon reopening in 2027. This surge had been expected to drive Shanghai’s ambition of becoming a global family tourism and entertainment hub.
China’s Cultural Tourism Boom and Global Interest
Industry observers had noted that China’s cultural tourism sector had been a key driver of economic growth, making it an attractive market for international entertainment companies.
Lin Huanjie, director of the Institute for Theme Park Studies in China, had remarked that Shanghai’s increasing number of world-class theme parks and film-related attractions had positioned the city as a high-quality global tourism destination.
Lin had further emphasized that the Harry Potter studio tour in Shanghai would:
- Appeal to China’s vast fanbase, where the re-release of the eight Harry Potter films in October 2024 had reignited enthusiasm for the franchise.
- Attract tourists from across Asia, strengthening Shanghai’s role in regional inbound tourism.
- Encourage more global companies to invest in China’s tourism and entertainment industry, reflecting US firms’ confidence in the country’s long-term market potential.
Why This Matters for Global Travelers
Travel industry experts had noted that the arrival of a Harry Potter studio tour in Shanghai would significantly impact international travel trends, particularly for:
- Tourists from Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea, who had been frequent visitors to China’s theme parks.
- Harry Potter fans worldwide, who had been known to travel long distances for exclusive franchise experiences.
- Family travelers, who had increasingly been seeking educational and immersive theme park experiences.
The Strategic Importance of US-China Collaboration in Tourism
The joint venture agreement between Warner Bros and Jin Jiang International Holdings had also been interpreted as a sign of optimism regarding US-China business relations.
While geopolitical tensions had been affecting certain industries, the continued collaboration in the entertainment and tourism sector had highlighted the resilience of consumer-driven markets.
By investing in China’s booming tourism economy, Warner Bros had joined other major international entertainment firms in expanding their presence in Asia’s theme park industry, which had been expected to experience continued growth over the next decade.
A Competitive Market: How the Harry Potter Studio Tour Stands Out
Shanghai had already been home to several world-renowned attractions, including Disneyland Shanghai and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Beijing.
Despite the competition, industry analysts had pointed out that the Making of Harry Potter studio tour had offered a completely different experience, focusing on:
- Behind-the-scenes production insights, providing visitors with a look into the filmmaking process.
- Authentic props and costumes, appealing to die-hard franchise fans.
- An immersive journey through film sets, differentiating itself from the thrill-ride-based attractions at Universal Studios.
Given the continued success of similar Harry Potter experiences in London and Tokyo, industry leaders had remained confident that the Shanghai version would see high demand upon opening.
What This Means for the Future of Entertainment Tourism
As global tourism had been recovering post-pandemic, theme parks and immersive experiences had played an increasingly vital role in attracting travelers.
Industry experts had suggested that:
- New investments in experiential travel had been reshaping the global tourism landscape, with theme parks incorporating storytelling, technology, and cultural engagement.
- Franchise-driven attractions had been gaining momentum, with other major studios considering similar projects.
- China’s rapid tourism expansion had continued to encourage international partnerships, fostering growth opportunities for global entertainment brands.
A New Era for Shanghai’s Tourism Scene
With Shanghai’s Jinjiang Action Park undergoing a major transformation, the arrival of the Harry Potter studio tour in 2027 had been set to solidify the city’s status as a major global entertainment hub.
The strong demand for themed attractions, combined with the deep cultural connection Chinese audiences had with the Harry Potter franchise, had positioned this project as a highly anticipated addition to China’s tourism landscape.
By bridging pop culture with tourism, the Making of Harry Potter attraction had not only been expected to draw millions of visitors annually but had also signified a major step in US-China collaboration in the entertainment industry.
As Shanghai continued to develop into a world-class travel destination, the project had demonstrated how storytelling, immersive entertainment, and international partnerships could redefine the tourism experience for global travelers.
Written by Travel And Tour World
