Olympics boost winter sports tourism during Spring Festival

Travel agencies say outdoor ice rinks in Beijing the most popular destinations

The ongoing 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games generated stronger-than-expected enthusiasm for winter tourism and winter sports in China during the just completed Spring Festival holiday.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism revealed on Sunday night that the seven-day holiday, which ended on Sunday, had seen Chinese residents make 251 million tourism trips. The tourism-related revenue generated over the holiday reached about 289.2 billion yuan ($45.4 billion).

The ministry said that the Winter Games, which started during the holiday, had ignited a nationwide frenzy for ice and snow sports.