Recently, the "Blue Book on Winter Sports" — the *China Ski Industry Development Report (2019)* (referred to as the "Report") — was released. Data shows that sales of ski-related products have been growing year by year: in 2018, sales of ski products increased by 253.7% compared to 2017, while sales of ski lift ticket products also saw significant growth, maintaining an increase of over 200% in 2018 compared to 2017.
Consumer interest and demand for winter sports are rapidly increasing. According to the Report, the number of searches for ski-related keywords on the platform has risen for three consecutive years. In 2018, searches for ski-related keywords increased by 115.4% compared to 2017, and by as much as 646.72% compared to 2016.
Even earlier, Tencent data pointed out that the average spending of winter sports consumers on winter sports activities was close to 6,000 yuan, and over 53.57% of them belong to the middle to high consumption bracket. Skiing has become the most widely practiced winter sport. Feng Rao, a tourism researcher, said that China’s skiing market has shifted from being elite-oriented to mass-oriented. Currently, the domestic skiing population is experiencing explosive growth, with many tourists showing strong interest in skiing.
The development of winter sports in China in recent years has been driven and supported by relevant policies. In September 2018, the General Administration of Sport of China issued the *Implementation Outline for “Engaging 300 Million People in Winter Sports” (2018–2022)*. In April this year, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the *Guidelines on Vigorously Developing Winter Sports by Taking Advantage of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics*, both of which set requirements for popularizing mass winter sports and building winter sports facilities, providing support for the deepening of winter sports culture in China.
The implementation of multiple policies has also driven local governments to develop their winter sports industries. It is understood that 168 primary and secondary schools in Heilongjiang Province have been proposed to be designated as winter sports characteristic schools, including 42 in Harbin. Notably, Heilongjiang Province will focus on developing the Harbin winter sports competition and performance industry, aiming to engage 20 million people in mass winter sports activities by 2022.
The 2020 Harbin Cold Expo and the First Harbin Winter Clothing, Apparel, and Equipment Expo (referred to as the Winter Expo), hosted by the People's Government of Harbin Municipality and organized by the Harbin Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, will be held at the Harbin International Convention and Exhibition Center from January 5 to 7, 2020.
The Winter Expo will cover a total exhibition area of 12,000 square meters and is expected to invite 150,000 professional visitors. It has received strong support from well-known domestic and international ski resorts and winter sports equipment manufacturers, including the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, Harbin Wanda Ski Park, Yabuli International Ski Resort, Chongli Wanlong Ski Resort, Zhangjiakou Saibei Ski Resort, Shengxiang Ski, Cabrin Ski, Mingxing Snow, Longjiang Snow, Liangyue Ice Disk Sports, Heilong Skates, Head, Atomic, Völkl, UVEX, Kastle, and K2 SPORT. Additionally, countries such as Finland, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, and South Korea will also organize delegations from their winter sports-related departments to participate in the Winter Expo.
In addition to exhibitions, the event will also host various activities such as new product launches, brand fashion shows, and project presentations during the expo. Of particular note, to accelerate the development of the winter sports equipment and gear industry, ensure the successful hosting of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and support the building of a strong sports nation, the organizing committee will invite Zhang Hong, the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics champion, to attend the expo. She will join guests in witnessing the unveiling of 3D-printed ice skates and related winter sports equipment.
The hosting of the 2020 Harbin Cold Expo and the First Harbin Winter Clothing, Apparel, and Equipment Expo will provide strong support for accelerating the high-quality development of the winter sports equipment and gear industry, ensuring the successful hosting of the Beijing Winter Olympics, promoting the economic development of winter sports in Harbin and other cold regions, and cultivating a robust domestic winter sports consumer market.
Scan the QR code below to register for free entry to the expo