Market Insights
Did you know? When I first saw the data for China's ice and snow tourism market, I was truly shocked. Let's take a look at just how hot this vibrant market is.
Sightseeing accounts for 58% of market share, which is a surprising figure. During my visits to ice and snow destinations in Europe and America, winter sports were the main attraction. In China, more than half of tourists choose sightseeing, reflecting our unique cultural preferences.
For example, during my recent visit to Harbin, I found that the vast majority of visitors to Sun Island Snow Expo came for the ice sculptures and snow scenery. A tourist from Guangdong told me: "Ice and snow are rare treasures for us southerners - we're content just seeing them and taking photos." This made me realize that developing ice and snow tourism in China can't simply copy Western models.
Data shows winter sports only account for 23% of market share, but the growth momentum is astounding. During the 2022 Winter Olympics, while reporting in Zhangjiakou, I noticed many young people developing a strong interest in skiing. A ski resort manager revealed that among their new registered members, those born after 1990 and 2000 account for 65%. This number shows me the future of China's ice and snow sports.
Economic Perspective
Speaking of economic benefits, this number is truly scary: 550 billion yuan. This isn't just talk - it's the projected annual revenue. Let's make a simple comparison: this equals the annual tourism revenue of a medium-sized province.
During interviews, an industry expert told me an interesting phenomenon: in recent years, many southern tourists specifically choose to experience ice and snow culture in the Northeast during winter break. This "counter-seasonal" tourism creates enormous economic value. Taking Harbin as an example, during the 2024 Spring Festival, the Ice and Snow World attraction alone generated hundreds of millions of yuan in revenue.
During my interviews in the Northeast, I met many small business owners. An elderly vendor who has sold candied haws for over 20 years said: "Business is much better than before - tourists don't just come to play, they want to take local specialties home." This made me deeply appreciate how ice and snow tourism drives local economies.
Industry Challenges
However, development also faces many challenges. The biggest threat comes from climate change, and this isn't alarmist talk. During my reporting at Changbai Mountain last winter, I discovered that local snowfall had decreased by nearly 20% compared to ten years ago. A guide who has worked there for 30 years told me: "We used to start skiing in November, now we have to wait until mid-December."
The situation in Europe is more severe. When interviewing the manager of Davos ski resort in Switzerland, I learned that over the past decade, their snow season has shortened by an average of two weeks. The snow line in the Alps rises about 10 meters each year, meaning some low-altitude ski resorts may struggle to continue in the future.
Opportunity Outlook
However, challenges also contain opportunities. I've observed that the domestic market's potential remains far from fully developed. Data shows China's skiing population grew from 5 million in 2015 to nearly 50 million in 2023, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 30%. This growth rate is rare globally.
After the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, I visited multiple ice and snow tourism destinations and discovered an interesting phenomenon: many places began focusing on cultivating local ice and snow culture. For example, Changchun city invested 5 billion yuan in 2023 for ice and snow industry infrastructure, including indoor ski resorts and ice and snow theme parks.
Future Prospects
I believe future ice and snow tourism will emphasize diversity of experience. During interviews, many industry insiders mentioned the keyword "immersive experience." For instance, some scenic areas have begun combining ice and snow with cultural creativity and technological experiences to create new tourism products.
Sustainable development is also an important trend. During my recent reporting in Finland, I learned that some of their ski resorts have begun using 100% renewable energy, which gives us great inspiration. Domestic scenic areas have also started emphasizing environmental protection, such as Changbai Mountain Scenic Area implementing strict visitor capacity controls and establishing comprehensive environmental monitoring systems.
What are your thoughts and expectations for China's ice and snow tourism? Feel free to share your views and experiences in the comments. If you haven't experienced ice and snow tourism yet, consider planning a northern trip this winter - it will likely bring you unexpected rewards.
Let's look forward together to the flourishing development of China's ice and snow tourism industry, and hope more people can experience the unique charm of ice and snow. After all, in this fast-paced era, being able to quietly appreciate the purity and magnificence of the ice and snow world is itself a rare pleasure.
