Region's potential as outdoor sports hub discussed

Domestic and international representatives gathered in the city of Nyingchi earlier this month to discuss promoting outdoor sports in the Xizang autonomous region.

The discussions were conducted at a roundtable meeting during the fourth China Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation, which was held from July 4-5 in Nyingchi city of Xizang.

As one of the key agendas of the forum, the roundtable meeting focused on plateau ecology and tourism. Some representatives shared their thoughts on the healthy development of outdoor sports and its related tourism segments.

Pan Shihua, an executive of China Sports Industry Group, gave a presentation about Xizang's outdoor sports at the meeting. He said that the region's snow-capped mountains, pristine forests, streams, lakes, grasslands, deserts and various other ecological resources offer excellent conditions for the development of outdoor sports.

"The vigorous development of outdoor sports in Xizang is currently in the spotlight," said Pan.

He pointed out that the outdoor sports sector has become a new engine for consumption upgrading in China.

Regarding the development of the outdoor sports industry in Xizang, Pan stated that the region has the ability and potential to become a popular global destination. It can consider developing the mountain sports sector with climbing as the core and create a world-renowned mountain sports destination, he said.

He also suggested enhancing a multilevel mountain sports event system in Xizang, introducing international and national competitions and unleashing the economic vitality of mountain sports events.

His suggestions included integrated planning for mountain climbing, orienteering and rock climbing routes, and service facilities such as campsites, climbing paths, hiking trails and cycling paths according to local conditions.

Serge Louis Koenig, an expert from the sports ministry of France, said that Xizang presents exceptional assets for outdoor sports, like high mountains, varied and preserved natural resources, vibrant local traditions and ongoing socioeconomic development.

"So you will tell me that the altitude in Xizang is not the same as in the Alps, certainly! 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 that to meet all the recreational aspirations of tourists, the region should diversify outdoor sports at all levels over four seasons, with all these activities practiced in Xizang; on the land, on the water and in the air.

In his speech, Koenig also praised the contribution of Nyima Tsering, the head of the Xizang Sports Bureau and an experienced mountaineer, for founding a mountaineering school in Lhasa. He said that it has become a bench mark in the country and in Asia for mountaineering sports.

"This project boasts all the characteristics of the best projects that I have encountered in my life, allowing young people to be able to live better and fulfill their dreams," he said.

"This project was created and is managed by locals, with training aimed at a stratum of the population vital for the future, the young people," he added.

As part of the consensuses reached at the forum, Xizang has signed the Framework Agreement to Enhance Exchange and Cooperation in High-Altitude Mountaineering with Nepal, according to a news conference on the sidelines of the event.