Vail ski resort becomes go-to destination for Chinese travelers

Global Business

It’s no secret that Chinese travelers are the biggest spenders of any tourist group.

That’s why some major resort operators are looking to get their piece of that profitable pie.

CCTV America’s Hendrik Sybrandy explains.

Vail Ski Resort in Colorado says what it offers is “like nothing on earth.” The motto seems to translate in every language.

The ski resort is one of the largest in the U.S., and its become a go-to destination for more and more downhill enthusiasts from China. Although it’s hard to put a number on it, those who work here say visitors from Asia are definitely up.

Skiing and snowboarding has been a fixture in the U.S. for many years. Now, the sport is catching on with Chinese tourists. Steep runs and the variety of terrain help draw those skiers to the U.S.

China is very much on Vail’s radar. A competition it hosted in China brought young skiers to Vail, all expenses paid, last year.

With Beijing’s 2022 Winter Olympics looming, Vail expects to see the market grow.

“They will be more into sports and all that. They will have the time,” Jing Butler, Westin Riverfront Beaver Creek sales manager said. “They will have the money eventually to come do things like that, so I think we need to focus on them.”