Chinese tourists, hopefully, would not give the country a bad name again when they set foot in a swanky tourist destination in Hokkaido, Japan.
China Daily reported that Club Med Tomamu would open in 2017 within the Hokkaido Tomamu Resort area. It would be the iconic French resort brand’s second resort in Hokkaido. The tourist destination would have over 20 ski trails with different difficulties and more than 50 activities such as professional ski courses and instruction.
The resort is known for its Unkai Terrace panorama and the mountains of Hidaka and Tokachi. Visitors could enjoy a 13-minute ride on the gondola which offers a picturesque view of mountain peaks above clouds from a 1,088-meter-high deck, reported Niseko Real Estate.
On Monday, Club Med inked a cooperation agreement with Yuyuan Tourist Mart, a Chinese company, which would run the upcoming resort. Fosun International has a 30 percent stake in Yuyuan Tourist Mart which purchased in November a 100 percent stake in Resort Tomamu for 18.36 billion yen ($175 million). Resort Tomamu is a ski resort owned by the Hoshino Resorts Group.
Yuyuan’s buy-in led to a boost in Chinese tourists to Tomamu which has grown three times. Also up by 80 percent are Tomamu’s occupancy rates, sales revenue and profit, disclosed Xu Xiaoliang, Yuyuan Tourist Mart chairman.
The acquisition came a year after Fosun purchased 98 percent of Club Mediterranee in March 2015 for 1 billion euro ($1.13 billion). In China, there are four resorts built by Club Med.