Magic Memories partnership for expansion into China
Press Release from Magic
Memories
14 February
2012
Magic Memories establishes partnership for expansion into China
Magic Memories, the tourism photography experience company, has launched its first operation in China providing holiday memories and storytelling photobooks for guests who visit Shanghai Chang Feng Ocean World, China.
Shanghai Chang Feng Ocean World is China’s first large scale aquarium and is the flagship tourist attraction of the Oceanis Australia Group. Shanghai Ocean World is the only aquarium in China which combines marine sightseeing with ecological leisure and has some amazing exhibits which are reflected in the photobooks Magic Memories provides.
Striking a partnership with local businessman Thomas Lu, the company now has a strong stake in the giant continent and expects huge growth in the market over the next year.
Magic Memories has worked with Mr Lu for several years – Mr Lu’s company is an integral part of the Magic Memories worldwide supply chain providing printing and production services. During his time working with the kiwi company, Mr Lu made it clear he’d like to enter a partnership and use his skills to secure tourism photography experience business in China.
Magic Memories CEO John Wikstrom says the journey into China has been exciting and promising.
“We have been very lucky having a local partner to work with,” he says.
“Mr Lu knows us well, he knows how we work and what we can offer. He fully understands how we can add revenue and improve the guest experience to Shanghai Chang Feng Ocean World. We see this as a fantastic first step into the China market.”
Mr Lu is optimistic about the future of his partnership with Magic Memories.
“I have watched this company build its business over the past few years and have been impressed with how they understand the guest journey and how their product adds value at many levels,” he says.
“Magic Memories operates a very different model from any competitors. I approached them because their photography solutions have huge potential and my research tells me they will be very successful in China.”
Magic Memories launched its photography solutions at Shanghai Chang Feng Ocean World on January 13, 2012, integrating services and products seamlessly into the guest experience. The initial results have exceeded expectations with guests generally excited about the new photography solution.
Mr Lu expects to secure more sites in China over 2012, with many potential partners impressed with what they now see in operation.
The launch is the latest in the Magic Memories global expansion which has resulted in operations at more than 70 attractions across New Zealand, Australia, Europe and South Africa.
A US-based sales team has also been established within the last few months.
“Over the past several months we have stepped up our international growth and are very excited about operating at Shanghai Chang Feng Ocean World which attracts a very large number of guests each year,” says Mr Wikstrom.
“Mr Lu is now an integral part of our team and is our local person on the ground.”
Magic Memories employs more than 220 people worldwide, is headquartered in Queenstown, New Zealand, and offers innovative photo products that add value to both the guest and the attraction operators.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
MAGIC MEMORIES GROUP
Magic Memories was established in 1994 in
Queenstown, New Zealand. MMG is a tourism company expert in
innovative digital imagery and storytelling. Customers are
wowed by holiday memories that can be accessed and shared
via social media channels with friends and family,
integrated into an interactive photobook, or physically
owned as a coffee table story album.
MMG is a tourism
company that delivers photography services to large
attractions worldwide. It is well established with local
infrastructure and more than 70 partner attractions in the
UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and now,
China. MMG staff photograph over 15 million people every
year, with more than 220 people working all over the world.
Face to face interaction with every customer happens at
least twice at every attraction.
Magic Memories has
recently developed a partnership with the world’s 2nd
largest attractions company, Merlin Entertainments.
Visit www.magicmemories.com for more information
SHANGHAI CHANG FENG OCEAN
WORLD
Located within Chang Feng Park in
Shanghai, Ocean World consists of an aquarium and the Beluga
Stadium. The aquarium is located beneath an ornamental lake
in Chang Feng Park and was opened in 1999 at a cost in
excess of US$20m. It showcases the incredible creatures
that inhabit the Pacific Ocean and Amazon River. The Beluga
Stadium is the first Whale Show Stadium in East China and
presents great daily mammal shows with Beluga Whales and
California Sealions.
Features of Shanghai Ocean World
include marine sightseeing with an amazing mix of marine
animals, original stage plays by marine animals including
marine geniuses and a marine themed leisure park.
Shanghai Chang Feng Ocean World is owned and operated by
Oceanis which owns and operates quality aquaria in the Asia
Pacific region. The company also operates the world’s
third largest aquarium, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo on
behalf of its owner. Each aquarium is in a prime location,
be it city centre or beachside. Within each are award
winning products which showcase the amazing and spectacular
aquatic life found on planet earth.
Working to the guidelines of the World Aquarium and Zoo Association (WAZA), Oceanis Aquaria prides itself on an innovative approach to product and displays that entertain, educate and encourage care for the aquatic environment and its inhabitants.