Huang added this is not the first time that he and his team have turned barren and isolated stretches of land into attractive resorts, such as his project in a southern area of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, which has become a successful business template for the group.

He added that his planned investments in Nordic countries, including Denmark, will also focus on remote areas.

Wei Xiaoan, an expert in tourism economics with the China Tourism Academy, said that the questions raised by the report show the difference between how Chinese and American businessmen view potential market opportunities.

"Iceland has first-class resources, snowy mountains, Arctic views and hot springs," Wei said. "If one out of 10,000 Chinese people visits the Icelandic resort, that will be enough."

Huang is also determined to project a more international image of Chinese businessmen.

The 57-year-old Huang just returned from a trip to New York on Saturday, in which he joined the Explorers Club's annual ball. Huang was recommended to be a member of the 108-year-old club, which has members such as Neil Armstrong and James Cameron, for his exploration of the world's peaks and the two poles, along with his philanthropic activities.

"I feel proud to be part of the club as a Chinese businessman."

Jonathan Conrad, who nominated Huang, said, "he could positively impact The Explorers Club membership representation in China."

"The club's membership standards are very strict, all members must meet the same criteria," said Steven Schwankert, the club's East and South Asia Chapter Chair.

"I hope that Huang will bring greater recognition of The Explorers Club in China," Schwankert added. "It will likely take a Chinese figure such as Huang to generate more interest."

To Huang, his membership of the prestigious club also represents the Chinese businessmen's willingness to walk closer, and in tune, with the world.

"In respect to creativity and taking responsibility, Chinese businessmen are playing their global roles like the others," Huang said.

meijia@chinadaily.com.cn

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