Winter tourism in China has rebounded sharply, boosting sluggish domestic consumption in a welcome boon for economically weaker regions in the north struggling to recover from years of pandemic depression.
Destinations in northeastern China’s rusting industrial region, such as the city of Harbin in Heilongjiang province, have been drawing swarms of domestic tourists from warmer weather in recent weeks. The growing popularity of winter sports is also drawing skiers and snowboarders to the slopes in northwest China’s Xinjiang.
This is the first time since 2019, before the arrival of the coronavirus, that many Chinese tourists enjoyed their winter vacation without worrying about lockdowns or infectious diseases. Year-end ski pass pre-orders doubled on a weekly basis, traffic volume doubled from last year, and ski group tour bookings increased by 70% weekly and nearly 30% year-on-year, according to data from booking platform Ctrip. It was shown that it was done.
Official tourism reports predict a 25-30% increase in tourist arrivals this season compared to last time, with the number exceeding 400 million for the first time and generating revenue of 550 billion yuan ($76.8 billion). there is a possibility.
China’s five-year tourism development plan calls for promoting “ice and snow tourism,” from opening more ski resorts to leveraging local culture and traditions. At the annual economic conference, which will set the agenda in December, the government said it would work to boost domestic demand this year.
“We need to stimulate latent consumption, expand profitable investment, and form a virtuous cycle in which consumption and investment mutually promote each other,” he said.
China, which has set an economic growth target of around 5% for 2023, faces multiple headwinds, including rising local government debt, a still-sluggish housing market, and weak domestic and international demand. . Consumers are growing nervous in the face of economic uncertainty.
gain popularity
Harbin in northeastern China has become a popular destination for holidaymakers as its popularity soared on social media and state media expanded its coverage of the surge in tourists.
The city hosts a months-long festival showcasing sculptures made from blocks of ice harvested from frozen rivers, making it one of the world’s largest snow and ice sculpture festivals, with over 3,050 million yen sold over the New Year period. Tourists flock to the city.
Jin Hongran, Yabuli Ski Resort’s financial director, told Reuters that the number of visitors to the resort has doubled from a year ago, and tourist spots across the city are now full of people.
“It’s going to be even more popular next year and the year after that. Everyone is feeling the enthusiasm for skiing,” she said.
According to the government, Heilongjiang, a resource-rich province that once promoted the development of coal, minerals and timber industries, will “transform its ice and snow resource advantages” and transform it into an international winter tourism destination. measures are being implemented. He controlled the People’s Daily.
Yue Yua, a 50-year-old tourist from Ningbo city in eastern Zhejiang province, said winter sports are becoming more popular as awareness increases.
“There’s a lot of publicity going on, from various media reports and bloggers,” said a woman in a lilac ski suit.
Accommodation demand is rapidly increasing as the number of winter tourists recovers.
Some homestays in rural Heilongjiang province, famous for its snowy scenery, are charging tourists 3,000 yuan (approximately 41,000 yen) per night for just two mattresses on the floor. People are complaining about the price hikes on social media.
A few miles to the west, ski resorts in northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region have seen “definitely more activity” than usual this winter, an executive at Keke Duanhai International Ski Resort told People’s Daily, expecting 2,000 tourists this season. He said he expects to welcome 300,000 tourists this season. on average every day since the season began in October.
The local government in the Xinjiang Altai region has accelerated investment of about 550 million yuan in projects, adding new ski trails and parks, while new hotels open and direct flights from wealthy cities such as Guangzhou and Beijing has entered service.
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