China Shatters Records with Winter Sports Enthusiasts Swelling to 313 Million

BEIJING, CHINA - In a significant milestone, the number of people engaging in winter sports in China has reached an impressive 313 million since the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. According to data shared by Wang Xuedong, head of the Economic Department at the State General Administration of Sport (SGAS), this surge can be attributed to the growing interest in ice and snow sports among Chinese citizens.

The National Sports Bureau Directors Conference held on Wednesday reported a notable increase in public participation in winter sports, with many indicating that their enthusiasm for these activities has continued to rise two years after the historic Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Data shows that ski resorts across Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region witnessed a whopping 50.49% year-on-year increase in bookings between November 1 and December 20, accompanied by a significant surge of 58.41% in spending.

Hotels within 5 kilometers of these ski resorts also recorded a substantial rise in bookings - up 27.85%, with total consumption jumping significantly at 20.41%.

Xinjiang welcomed an unprecedented 92.6 million tourists during the last snow season. The increase was spectacular at 147.78% compared to previous years, and tourism revenue surged to 106.7 billion yuan (over $14.billionUSD), marking a substantial year-on-year growth of 263.74%.

Xinjiang aims to harness its abundant resources, aiming for global recognition as the hub for winter sports, tourist activities.

As of December, China boasts an impressive array of ice and snow facilities totaling over 2,800.

With this trend gaining momentum across various regions, authorities in southern China are now working to set up more venues.