From Shanghai to Hokkaido: Skiing Across APAC with Justin Downes

Justin Downes returns to The Negotiation podcast to reflect on the recently concluded ski season in China and to discuss his new role in Hokkaido, Japan. With a career dedicated to advancing winter sports in Asia, Justin has been instrumental in the infrastructural development of ski resorts in China, contributing significantly to the country’s readiness for the 2022 Winter Olympics. In this episode, Justin provides an overview of the performance of the skiing season in China, talks about the world's largest indoor skiing resort in Shanghai, and compares the ski markets of China and Japan.

Discussion Points:

• Overview of Axis Leisure Management and its impact on skiing in China.
• Performance insights from the recent ski season in China.
• Details on the world's largest indoor skiing resort in Shanghai and its significance in the growth of the industry.
• The influence of the Asian Winter Games on the popularization of winter sports in China and other Asian countries.
• Assessment of China as a mature or emerging skiing market.
• Comparisons between the skiing industries in China and Japan, highlighting unique aspects and challenges in both markets.