HAIKOU, September 24. /TASS/. Hainan's Provincial Transportation Authority, the Sanya administration and Astro Ocean Cruise signed a cooperation agreement for 2021-2022. According to Hainan Daily, the regional authorities issued the first license to operate cruise trips.

According to the license, this company will be able to organize sea cruises from the Phoenix cruise terminal in the port of Sanya, develop international tourist destinations, and also cooperate with other enterprises in this area to develop the industry. Astro Ocean Cruise is a Hong Kong-registered joint venture between COSCO Shipping and China Tourism Group.

In July last year, the Hainan Provincial Transportation Authority published a cruise development program aimed not only at attracting investment in this area and introducing international best practices, but also creating a top-notch industry regulation system in the country.

According to plans of the regional authorities, the first sea cruises will depart from Haikou and Sanya, after several days of sailing in the water area adjacent to the island, the ships will return tourists back to the point of departure without calling at other ports.