Optimistic outlook

In recent years, the regional sports bureau and the local mountaineering association have provided support for the growth of outdoor companies. Between 2021 and 2023, the government gave them free office space and training areas.

There are about 10 outdoor sports companies in the region operated by locals and staffed by graduates of the mountaineering guide school, said Chen Ming, a spokeswoman for Xizang Snow Eagle. The school has trained more than 200 locals in recent decades, she added.

The development of outdoor sports in Xizang was discussed by domestic and international participants at the 4th China Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation held in Nyingchi in early July.

Pan Shihua, assistant to the president of the China Sports Industry, said at the forum outdoor sports can become a new engine to drive the local economy.

The region is rich in outdoor sports resources, including high-altitude snow-capped mountains, pristine forests, lakes and grasslands, he said.

Xizang has the potential to become a global destination for outdoor sports, and Pan believes it should focus on establishing itself as a world-renowned mountain sports destination. This could be achieved by hosting international and domestic mountain sports competitions.

Serge Louis Koenig, foreign affairs director of the National School of Mountain Sports in France, told the forum that Xizang had the world's greatest mountains, a vast territory, varied and well-preserved natural resources, and vibrant local traditions. These, coupled with ongoing socio-economic development, made the region a "promising breeding ground" for outdoor sports, he said.

While the mountains in Xizang are higher than the Alps in Europe, this could help authorities maintain the pristine environment while developing the outdoor sports industry.

"The land here is much higher, but it is perhaps also an advantage to naturally limit mass tourism with its negative impacts, particularly on the environment," Koenig said.

He suggested diversifying leisure activities across all four seasons to meet a wide range of recreational demands.

Camping, rafting, skiing, hiking, and other activities have consistently ranked high in online search popularity since 2022, according to the online travel platform Mafengwo.

According to data from the Chinese online travel agency Ctrip, in the first half of 2023, the volume of orders related to outdoor sports increased by 79 percent compared with the same period in 2022.