Sanya welcomes surge of intl tourists this summer

Sanya, the tropical resort in South China's Hainan province, has seen a significant influx of international tourists this summer.

In the first half of this year, the city welcomed 319,800 overnight visitors, marking a 264.98 percent year-on-year increase. Countries like Vietnam, Mongolia, Thailand, and Singapore have surpassed their 2019 levels regarding overnight visitors. Russia leads the pack with 38,000 visitors to Sanya in the year's first five months.

Traditionally known for its beaches and resorts catering primarily to domestic tourists, Sanya has now attracted visitors from around the globe, diversifying its visitor base. In addition to traditional sightseeing vacationers, the city now welcomes international visitors for conventions, sports events, educational tours, and more.

Sanya has introduced a series of supportive policies to boost the tourism industry further and create an international tourism brand. One such policy allows citizens of countries with diplomatic relations with China to stay in Hainan for up to 30 days without a visa.

In a bid to enhance international tourism exchanges, Hainan has also launched a 144-hour visa-free policy. Starting from July 30, 2024, citizens of countries with diplomatic ties with China holding ordinary passports can tour Hainan visa-free for up to 144 hours when organized by registered travel agencies in Hong Kong and Macao.

Sanya continues to facilitate international travel and develops more overseas routes. Since July 2023, Sanya has opened 16 international routes covering cities like Hong Kong, Seoul, Jakarta, Hanoi, Almaty, Astana, Busan, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Ulaanbaatar, Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, and London. In the first half of this year, international and regional flights have transported 177,700 passengers through 1,777 landings and take-offs.

The city has elevated its international service standards. In English, Russian, Japanese, and Korean, multilingual services are available at airports, hotels, and tourist attractions. Extensive foreign language training for tourism professionals ensures smooth communication with international visitors. Sanya ensures that international tourists feel warmly welcomed by offering dining options that cater to various dietary preferences and organizing activities aligned with local customs.

International tourists play at Sanya's beach. [Photo/Sanya Daily]