China’s snow economy thrives with rapid growth and is projected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030.
China’s ice and snow season is in full swing, with projections from the General Office of the State Council estimating that the snow and ice economy will grow to 1.2 trillion yuan ($165 billion) by 2027 and reach 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030. Recent guidelines outline strategies to advance ice and snow sports, expand the industrial chain, improve infrastructure and services, and stimulate related consumption.
Wang Xueli, a professor at Tsinghua University, highlighted the diverse aspects of the ice and snow economy, including sports equipment manufacturing, tourism services, and cultural promotion. He emphasized that developing the industrial chain could position the sector as a significant economic growth driver.
Participation in ice and snow leisure tourism during the 2024-2025 winter season is expected to surpass 500 million people, up from 385 million last winter. The ninth Asian Winter Games, scheduled for February 2025 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, will further bolster tourism and the local economy.
Harbin’s 2023-2024 snow season saw over 87 million tourists, a 300% increase from the previous year, generating 125 billion yuan in tourism revenue, marking a 500% rise. The guidelines encourage the growth of ice and snow businesses, the development of recognizable brands, and the support of SMEs specializing in innovative snow and ice products.
Hao Lishun, an official from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, noted that China now offers 15 categories of ice and snow equipment, catering to various needs from competitive events to mass sports. The number of enterprises in this sector has grown from about 300 in 2015 to nearly 900 in 2023, reflecting the sector’s robust growth.
Moreover, Chinese companies have achieved significant progress in developing and producing ice and snow sports equipment, breaking foreign monopolies. Additionally, the World Winter Sports Expo 2024 in Beijing showcased advanced domestically produced equipment like snowmakers, motorcycles, and snowshoes, underscoring the high-quality development of the industry.
Ski resorts are actively enhancing their offerings. For example, Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin Province added 100 new snowmakers and expanded its ski tracks to 74, increasing accommodations to 9,000 beds. Keketuohai International Ski Resort in Xinjiang now attracts 1,500 to 2,000 tourists daily, reflecting growing interest in snow tourism.
The guidelines also advocate for boosting snow and ice-related consumption by diversifying products, refining standards, and enhancing the consumer experience. Wang Xueli added that many ski resorts are offering integrated tourism packages, combining skiing with resort amenities to provide a superior customer experience.
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