新华鲜报丨邀约全世界！哈尔滨冰雪节又来了

Core Viewpoint - The 42nd Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival has commenced, showcasing Harbin as a global winter tourism destination and emphasizing its cultural, sports, and economic integration [1][3]. Group 1: Event Highlights - The Ice and Snow Festival features the largest ice and snow park, covering 1.2 million square meters, with new interactive areas such as the "Rose Ice Wall" and "Hot Spring Camp" [3]. - The festival includes the 37th China Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition and the 28th China Harbin International Snow Sculpture Competition, attracting over a hundred artists from various countries [3][5]. - The event aims to foster international friendship through artistic creation and showcase the charm of Harbin as the "Ice City" [3][6]. Group 2: Tourism Impact - Last winter season, Harbin attracted over 90 million domestic and international tourists, highlighting its popularity as a winter tourism destination [5]. - The festival is expected to enhance the local economy, with the recent New Year holiday seeing 4.1 million visitors and total spending of 5.56 billion yuan [9]. - The city is launching ten new winter tourism routes and upgrading attractions to enhance visitor experiences [6][8]. Group 3: Economic Development - The first Harbin International Ice and Snow Economic Expo is set to establish a global platform for the ice and snow industry, showcasing the entire industry chain from equipment manufacturing to tourism [9]. - The China Ice and Snow Tourism Development Report (2026) predicts that winter tourism participants will reach 360 million, generating an income of 450 billion yuan during the 2025-2026 season [9]. - Harbin's approach to winter tourism is shifting from merely attracting visitors to ensuring they have memorable experiences that encourage repeat visits [8].