The Olympic Development Plan for Secret Garden Genting Resort
— Exclusive Interview with Secret Garden Genting’s Chief Operating Officer Benno Nager
On October 17, 2018, the 2nd China International Snow & Ice Industry Conference (CISIF 2018) was held in Beijing. The conference, based on the current development status of the snow & ice industry in southern China, focused on the theme of “Breakthrough in the North, Expansion in the South.” It emphasized exploring breakthrough strategies for the transformation and upgrading of the northern snow & ice industry and new ideas for the layout of the southern snow & ice industry, aiming to jointly promote the development of the snow & ice sector.
In recent years, China’s skiing industry has developed very rapidly. Although the northern skiing industry started earlier, Mr. Benno Nager, Chief Operating Officer of Secret Garden Genting Resort, observed that there is also a very clear interest in the skiing industry in southern China, with the southern market growing at a very fast pace. What shocked Mr. Benno even more was that after being in the Chinese market for so many years, he found that Chinese people are very interested in the skiing industry or the sport itself—they enjoy and take pleasure in it. They see skiing as a form of leisure, and some even pursue it as a lifestyle, which is quite similar to Europe and America. Compared to Korea, where skiing tends to be more utilitarian—for example, people might ski for four hours and then go back to work—Chinese people view skiing as a preferred leisure activity and lifestyle, which sets a very strong foundation for the development of China’s skiing industry and ski resorts. Mr. Benno noted that with China's goal of getting 300 million people on the snow, and as skiing becomes more widespread among the general public, many Chinese families are now encouraging their next generation to take up skiing, laying a solid foundation for the sustainable future growth of the skiing industry in China.
In 2022, some events of the Winter Olympics will be held at Secret Garden Genting. Currently, the resort’s operational priority is the future Olympic ski venue. Mr. Benno believes the major development direction must focus on the future Olympics. Before the Games, the plan is to build and establish reception capacity for 10,000 beds. These 10,000 beds are not only intended to serve the Olympics but will also be used for public skiing after the event. At the same time, the resort is developing more ski runs to enhance guests’ skiing experiences, ensuring that Secret Garden Genting Resort will have better comprehensive reception conditions in the future.
Currently, Secret Garden Genting Resort welcomes 5,000 visitors per day, with a future target of 18,500 per day. The resort currently has 6 chairlifts, with plans to build 20 in total. Mr. Benno emphasized that the resort currently has 35 ski runs, with plans to develop 90 in the future. All these new facilities and equipment, along with additional recreational activities added in the summer, will attract more people to Secret Garden Genting Resort for a relaxing and enjoyable experience, making it an even more appealing tourist destination. Considering that a high-speed rail line from Beijing to Secret Garden Genting Resort and a direct highway will soon be in place, it is foreseeable that the resort will also welcome more summer vacationers in the future.
While focusing on operational development, Secret Garden Genting Resort also works closely with local authorities to ensure environmental protection. Ski resort operations require substantial water resources. The rational development and utilization of water, as well as the recycling of melted snow water, are crucial for enhancing local environmental protection and promoting skiing as a sustainable activity in the region.
High technology has always been a development focus for Secret Garden Genting Resort. We aim not only to use it to better manage ski resort operations but also to enhance our guests’ experience. In the future, such high-tech equipment will be integrated into ski helmets, providing real-time information on ski runs, snow conditions, fog presence, and offering recommendations on the best runs to choose. These products will greatly improve the skiing experience for our guests.
Regarding the development of China’s skiing industry, Mr. Benno is excited and looks forward to seeing how it evolves. While Europe’s skiing industry has a 100-year history and the U.S. around 50 years, China’s skiing industry is set to undergo tremendous change within the next decade. Fortunately, China is starting from a high base. The skier experience here jumps directly to a very advanced level. Twenty years ago, when the U.S. skiing industry was just beginning, the quality of equipment and overall experience were far below what China enjoys today. The service levels, ski equipment, chairlifts, cable cars, and snowmaking systems in China are now much more advanced than before. Mr. Benno is pleased to see China’s skiing industry leveraging high-tech equipment to provide a superior skiing experience for enthusiasts. Given the vigorous growth of skiing in China, he is very optimistic about the significant changes that lie ahead for the industry.