Chapter 101: Thoughts on Developing XiaoMajia Island

Su Jie was deeply worried.

The fundamental purpose of the Industry Association is to regulate industry standards and protect industry interests.

Although the most attractive feature for hotel guests is the Western restaurant, the hotels in Nanjing City are near the sea, and the demand for fresh seafood from customers is still very high.

A stable seafood supply is a rigid requirement for hotels in Nanjing City.

Currently, many hotels are complaining about the high cost of seafood, which is already a clear adverse signal.

If the Association does not take a proactive stance now, the situation will only get worse in the future.

"Do you have any solutions?" Wan Hao asked calmly, looking at the indignant Su Jie.

"I..." Su Jie immediately fell silent.

If he had a solution, he wouldn't have come to Wan Hao!

Feeling a bit powerless, Su Jie said, "President, that Xu Yong is really stubborn... Everyone we've sent to negotiate with him has been turned away with vague responses. The best we got was an offer to supply us at the average market price, clearly showing no intention to give us any discounts. But I do know a few people in the Wang family who might be able to help. If necessary, I can go and ask for their help."

Wan Hao shook his head, "Begging is not a way to do business. Business is negotiated, not begged for."

Sighing, Wan Hao said, "Thirty years of river east, thirty years of river west!"

Back then, Wang Kaiyuan was not the big boss of Nanjing Guangkuo Seafood Company, just an ordinary market vendor. To expand his business, Wang Kaiyuan put in a lot of effort and managed to secure the exclusive seafood supply rights for the hotels of the Yuesan Industry Association at prices far below the market wholesale rate.

But now, the roles have completely reversed. The Association has to beg for cheaper seafood.

Wan Hao sighed deeply, and Su Jie felt even more distressed.

As the Secretary-General of the Industry Association, knowing that the Association and the hotels are facing potential crises but being unable to solve them gave Su Jie a deep sense of helplessness.

"If only our Association had its own seafood supply channels," Su Jie mused, suddenly struck by a thought. "President, I remember that the waters near XiaoMajia Island are rich in fishery resources. Why don't we try developing XiaoMajia Island?!"

Hearing this, Wan Hao's eyes lit up instantly.

"XiaoMajia Island has beautiful scenery, a pleasant environment, and an exceptionally beautiful coastline! The previous development plan for XiaoMajia Island by the relevant departments was to turn it into a commercial tourism-oriented vacation island. I remember that anyone who could develop a resort hotel on XiaoMajia Island would be granted the rights to develop a fishing area."

Su Jie became increasingly excited as he spoke, "Back then, Nanjing Guangkuo repeatedly applied to develop XiaoMajia Island's fisheries but was always rejected due to the island's planned function and future development. If we can meet the planning requirements for XiaoMajia Island and build a hotel there, securing the rights to develop its fishing area, then the seafood supply for our Association's hotels will no longer be a problem!"

The more Su Jie thought about it, the more hopeful he became.

However, in the next moment, Su Jie fell silent. Building a hotel on XiaoMajia Island would be incredibly difficult.

Located in the middle of the sea, transporting construction materials, manpower, food, and water to build the hotel would require a huge amount of time and money.

Additionally, XiaoMajia Island frequently experiences typhoons. In particularly severe typhoon seasons, it's common for typhoons to last one or two months, even capable of ripping roofs off buildings.

There was once a bold investor who fell in love with the island's scenery and spent a fortune trying to build a resort hotel on XiaoMajia Island. However, the hotel was never completed, and he nearly went bankrupt, leaving only an abandoned foundation on the island. 

It's said that this person, disheartened, used the remaining money to build a hotel on the coast of Nanjing, which eventually thrived. But then he fell in love and left the hotel to run off with his sister-in-law.

This incident almost shook the entire hotel industry in Nanjing. Even now, Su Jie sighs whenever he mentions that person.

But these external difficulties are secondary. The biggest challenge comes from the local fishermen and island residents.

For these natives, the island's natural ecology is more important than anything else. Apart from essential public facilities like telecom cables and signal towers, any construction is seen as a form of invasion.

Especially private profit-driven activities like building hotels. Moreover, because there are no hotels on the island, tourists usually stay with the fishermen, providing them with significant income.

Once a hotel is built, tourists will surely choose to stay there, significantly reducing the fishermen's income.

Considering these factors, it's no wonder the fishermen strongly oppose any hotel construction on the island.

Su Jie sighed. Engineering projects are manageable, but dealing with people is much harder.

...

While Su Jie was hesitating, Wan Hao remained silent for a while and then firmly said, "Let's build a hotel on XiaoMajia Island!"

Su Jie was stunned, almost not believing his ears.

Wan Hao continued, "Since Nanjing Guangkuo wants to choke our seafood supply, we'll find another way! Build the hotel on the island and secure the fishing rights!"

Su Jie quickly replied, "President, the Association really doesn't have enough money to build a hotel!"

Although the Association collects annual fees from member hotels, the funds are primarily used to hire experts for training, conduct professional skill exams, and provide other services. There isn't enough money to build a hotel on the island.

Wan Hao waved his hand dismissively, "The Association may not have money, but the hotels certainly do."

He knew that many member hotels had opened multiple branches over the years and were financially strong.

"I've wanted to develop XiaoMajia Island since I was young, but it was always delayed by various issues. Now is the perfect opportunity!"

"Su Jie, announce the plan to develop XiaoMajia Island. All Yuesan Industry Association members are eligible to participate."

Su Jie winced at the thought. Even the wealthiest hotels wouldn't want to throw money into a bottomless pit!

Sensing Su Jie's concern, Wan Hao added, "Anyone who successfully builds a resort hotel on the island will keep all the profits from seafood sales. The Association won't take a single cent!"