Russian tourists flocks to Sanya, boosting tourism industry

A wave of Russian tourists has flooded into Sanya recently, with many sharing their travel photos and videos on social media, leading to widespread discussion among netizens.

Since the beginning of this year, Sanya Phoenix International Airport has welcomed over 900 Russian flights, bringing in more than 35,000 Russian visitors to the city, accounting for 33.6 percent of the total foreign arrivals.

Data from the Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports shows that, among the inbound tourists from 25 countries or regions, Russian tourists topped the chart, highlighting Russia as a key source of inbound tourism in Hainan.

Sanya, renowned for its abundant natural resources, picturesque coastal scenery, and pleasant climate, has long been a sought-after destination for tourists both domestically and internationally. For Russian tourists living in high-latitude regions, the warm sunshine and tropical climate prove an irresistible temptation.

The convenient visa-free policy is also a key factor in attracting Russian tourists. Since September 2023, the visa-free policy between China and Russia has facilitated increased cultural and trade exchanges. Building on this, on Feb 9 of this year, Hainan expanded the policy for citizens of 59 countries to include business, visits, family reunions, medical treatment, exhibitions, and sports events, allowing stays of up to 30 days.

Sanya has opened two passenger routes to Moscow and Krasnoyarsk in Russia, with 64 round-trip flights per month. It is estimated that these routes will bring in 8,000 Russian tourists to Sanya each month.

To cater to this increase in Russian tourists, Sanya tourism authorities and businesses have enhanced service quality and introduced a range of tailored services. Many attractions, restaurants, and commercial areas have added bilingual signs and translation services in Chinese and Russian to make travel and shopping easier for Russian visitors.

Additionally, some Sanya businesses have introduced traditional Chinese medicine-based wellness treatments to meet the demand for health tourism among Russian tourists.

This surge in Russian visitors underscores the vibrant tourism market in Hainan. The island province will continue to increase its publicity efforts and strengthen cooperation with international tourism organizations, further promoting the development of the inbound tourism market, local authorities said.

A group of Russian tourists enjoy their trip in Sanya. [Photo/Sanya tourism board]