Chinese running tourism grows, as ZX Tour partners with governments to meet mainland appetite for race holidays
- Du Mingrui says running tourism will grow as Chinese people ‘want more of everything’
- Marquee events attract big numbers, but mainlanders are also interested in unique events, like the marathon at Mount Everest
A Chinese tourism company is pairing with governments around the world to facilitate the booming demand for running holidays by mainland sports fans.
“The Chinese running tourism market will keep growing for the next 20 years,” said Du Mingrui, his hand drawing the steeply rising curve of an imaginary graph. “Our company, we need more staff, more of everything.”
The company that Du founded in 2015 together with Angela He Yaqing, is called ZX Tour.
Angela, who ran her first marathon in 2012 and instantly became hooked, contributed the expertise from her original job – outbound VIP tourism – to their venture. Du used to hold an editorial position at the Chinese edition of Outside Magazine.
Based in Beijing, ZX Tour is now the domestic industry leader. Its office is crammed with staff, finisher medals and race bibs adorn every surface. Over 10,000 Chinese runners per year use its services to travel and run abroad.
