Data from online shopping platform Tmall's new life research institute also showed a significant increase in searches for mountain-related products in March. For example, the search volume for outdoor jackets increased 60 percent in March compared to a year earlier, and the search volume for mountaineering sportswear increased by over 550 percent on a monthly basis.
Not only did traditional outdoor brands like Columbia thrive, but also an increasing number of sportswear and leisure brands, including Nike and Adidas, have expanded their outdoor and mountain-related businesses in recent years.
The hiking boom has also heated up the market for related gear such as trekking poles, quick-dry clothing, headlamps and tents.
"We have witnessed a growing number of suppliers of hiking apparel and gear in the past two years who offer increasingly various products," said Ge Yue, a co-founder of Chongqing-based educational camping startup Starry Woods.
"Just about two years ago, our camp participants preferred more relaxing and leisurely activities. In the past two years, recreational sports such as hiking started to boom and have now become a must-have in our camps. An increasing number of hiking clubs, freelance coaches and hiking gear providers have reached out to us for cooperation," Ge said.
"In the past, although our customers who signed up for hiking outings were fewer, they tended to be more professional and preferred challenging routes. Today, among our camp participants who yearn for hikes, only a small proportion have received relevant training. Most would rather have simpler routes with better views that allow them to socialize," she added.
The popularity of outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking has also influenced the homestay industry. According to data from Tujia, a property rental platform and homestay operator, the number of homestay service providers whose descriptions or tags are related to "cycling" and "hiking" has increased by 20 percent as of early June, compared to 2019 levels. For the first five months, the number of bookings for hiking — and cycling-related homestay services increased 2.8 times compared to the same period in 2019.
Spurred by the hiking boom, tourist destinations suitable for hiking have also become hot spots. Travel portal Tuniu said that two-day hiking tours in Jiangsu province, which involve treks along forest trails, have become a recent top choice among tourists from East China. Participants are mainly engaged in team-building and family trip activities.
"To better cater to the market and develop new business growth points, we have expanded our products related to hiking in recent years. For example, in East China, we have integrated activities such as kayaking with hiking and launched a variety of short outdoor trips that are suitable for families, as well as customized outdoor trips for corporate team-building exercises. In addition, we have designed multiple routes for lighter outdoor activities in Southwest and East China," said Zhao Jing, head of customized tours at Tuniu.
"Take the five-day tour in Tengchong, Yunnan province, that was launched on Tuniu's livestreaming platform as an example. This product highlights an easy hiking experience on a local scenic mountain, with an approximately four-kilometer route suitable for even beginners to outdoor activities. Led by a tour guide, the hiking team can have a close encounter with the forest, visit hidden mountain waterfalls and popular tourism sites, all while ensuring safety," Zhao said.
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