Outdoor

Throughout 2023, whether in online or offline discussions, outdoor sports undoubtedly emerged as one of the most frequently mentioned topics in conversations among young Chinese. According to an industry development report on China’s outdoor sports released in October 2023, individuals born in the 1990s have become the largest consumer group participating in outdoor sports, accounting for 36.1 percent. They are followed by those born in the 1980s with a share of 32.5 percent. The report also revealed a year-on-year increase of 79 percent in outdoor sports-related orders in the first half of 2023, and a surge of 221 percent compared to the same period in 2019. On Chinese lifestyle-sharing platforms such as Xiaohongshu and Weibo, numerous daily posts share diverse experiences related to outdoor sports. These range from high-intensity activities like sailing and off-roading to more laid-back ones such as camping and city walks, with ice and snow sports taking the spotlight in winter. To cater to the need for better outdoor sports experiences, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has actively promoted new tourism products in 2023, many of which feature outdoor experiences such as camping, ice and snow, and others. Meanwhile, departments including the National Development and Reform Commission and the General Administration of Sport of China issued an action plan outlining measures for promoting the facilities and enhancing services for outdoor sports from 2023 to 2025. This plan demanded optimizing the layout of ice and snow sports facilities and improving facilities for camping and mountainous outdoor sports. Also highlighted in the action plan are efforts to strengthen outdoor sports facilities that are closer to the public. This includes establishing trails for brisk walking and constructing parks that provide sports facilities, enabling the public to integrate outdoor activities into their daily lives. As outdoor sports gradually evolve into a lifestyle of Chinese people, especially the younger generation, the industry is poised for further growth in the years to come. According to the action plan, the industry’s value is targeted to hit 3 trillion yuan ($422.5 billion) by 2025. From:Contemporary pioneer net Source:Xinhua Editor: Chen Dawei Senior Editor: Pang Bo