There are few tourists, high temperatures, high temperatures, Korean ski tourism industry is facing difficulties
Qiao Ying
The number of ski people decreases and the number of ski people andFactors such as climate change have faced operating difficulties in South Koreas popular ski tourism industry in South Korea.
The South Korean Times will be reported on the 9th with the Korean Ski Resort Business Association. This winters ski season will only have 12 ski resorts.This number was reduced by 5 compared with 2009, most of which were closed in the past three years.
One of the main reasons for the suspension of the ski resort is the decrease in the number of tourists.
South Koreas first ski resort opened in Pyeongchang, Jiangyuan Road in 1975. Since then, multiple ski resorts have been opened, with a maximum of 17.Statistics show that in the ski season from 1999 to 2000, the number of tourists in South Korea exceeded 3 million for the first time, and gradually increased.From 2011 to 2012, the number of tourists exceeded 6.8 million.However, the number of ski people began to decline. In the ski season from 2020 to 2021, the number of ski people suddenly dropped to 1.4 million.Although the number of tourists in the next snow season returned to about 3.8 million, it was only about half of the peak, and it was difficult to reunite the glory of the past.
According to industry insiders, the tourists in Korean ski resorts are mainly young people. Due to the low birth rate and population aging in recent years, the number of tourists has decreased significantly.Government data shows that the number of newborns in South Korea reached a peak of about 438,000 in 2015, and then decreased continuously. In 2023, it fell to less than 230,000, which was the lowest level since the country began in 1970.
Another key factor in the loss of skiing tourism is the winter warming caused by climate change.
According to an industry insider, 90%of South Korean ski resort rely on artificial snow, and snowmaking machines can only ensure artificial snow when the temperature reaches or less than minus 3 degrees Celsius.success.Due to the global warming, the time of the skiing season is pushed and the time is shortened, resulting in rising operating costs for ski resort and declined in profitability.
In addition, as the safety problems of skiing have been paid more attention, ski training camps have become less, and many young people choose other entertainment activities such as online games and camping.Factors.
When preparing for the upcoming winter, relevant industry persons call on South Koreas sports authorities and the municipal government to help them survive the crisis.
"Ski resort has a profound impact on employment opportunities in mountainous areas and revitalizing the economy." A managers from the Korean Ski Resort Business Association said, "Government and local authorities should start helping and protecting skiing.Field.
