(file photo: Futuroscope Park)

DOMINIQUE HUMMEL, the president of French theme park Futuroscope, said at the ICIF on Friday (May 19) after the French company signed a contract with the Shenzhen Baolong Investment group to build a world-class theme park in Xili, the first Futuroscope park outside France.

The company's flagship Futuroscope park, located in the French province of Vienne, is devoted to cinematic and audio-visual techniques and special effects. It is the only place featuring all versions of the IMAX theaters, namely normal, dome, 3D, dome 3D and flying-carpet-style. Under the agreement, the Xili park will provide to the public the audio-visual experience currently available only at the French Futuroscope park.

SD: Why did your company choose Shenzhen as the first stop£¿

Hummel: Deciding the location of our first branch outside France was a very important step for us. However, I made that decision immediately after I arrived in Shenzhen. It's an amazing place and we fully understand its potential after the council of Vienne, where the park located, told me the history of the city.

SD: When will the new park open£¿

Hummel: The construction will take about three years and the first phase of the project is expected to be finished between 2008 and 2009.

SD: Shenzhen is a city with many theme parks. How is this park different£¿

Hummel: What we are building is a leisure park, where people can come and relax with different kinds of entertainment. Rather than building a park with roller coasters, we try to focus on the content, including special effects films, animation, games and performances. You can visit the park several times a year, and we will keep updating our programs. So every time you come, there will be a new park.

SD: Other theme parks in the city attract millions of visitors from across the country every year. How do you feel you will fare against this strong competition£¿

Hummel: Firstly, I don't think they are my competitors. The Futuroscope is a brand new experience for all visitors. Even in Europe, we are unique, that's why we have been attracting visitors since we opened 19 years ago. Disneyland has its park in France, like Window of the World in Shenzhen. But I believe the market is large enough for these parks, and we are cultivating the market together, instead of competing with each other.

SD: Do you have any targets for the new park£¿

Hummel: Yes, we are expecting 3 million visitors in the first year and 6 million after the entire construction is completed.

SD: How much will admission to the park cost£¿

Hummel: I think admission to the Shenzhen park will be about 100 yuan per person.

>> Special Report: 2nd ICIF in Shenzhen

Editor: Wing