China's winter economy: growth, tourism, and future opportunities

The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games are currently underway, and attention is turning to how winter sports and tourism are reshaping economies around the world. What is driving China's winter tourism boom, and how much room is there for future growth? In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan explores the rise of China's winter economy. He is joined by Kari Tirkkonen, CEO of Suomutunturi Ski Resort from Finland, Andy Mok, senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, and Paul Dong, co-founder of Ei Asia Limited and a sports industry observer. They examine how China is transforming its winter resources into a powerful economic engine. They discuss the surge in domestic travel, the expansion of winter tourism beyond traditional destinations, and the growing role of culture, leisure, and lifestyle consumption.