HAIKOU /China/, May 4. /TASS/. Car rental services became very popular among tourists during the May holidays in Sanya in the southern Chinese province of Hainan. This was reported by the Sanya Daily newspaper.
The paper's reporters visited a car rental center at Phoenix International Airport and witnessed the heavy flow of tourists who used the service. "Fortunately, the reservation was made half a month in advance, or else we might not have been able to book the car upon arrival," the newspaper quoted one of the tourists, surnamed Khan, as saying.
According to the manager of Longjia Car Rental company, the market peaked on April 28. Over the May holidays all 500 cars available in the center were booked. We are mainly talking about cars of the medium and premium segments. For family trips customers usually chose crossovers and minivans.
The high demand in the market has forced many companies to significantly expand their fleet of rental cars. Prices for this service have also increased significantly. For example, in the off-season, it was possible to rent a Tesla electric car for 200 yuan (about $28.9) per day, but during the holidays the price could reach 600 yuan ($86.9).
Hainan's round-the-island tourist highway
All segments of the Hainan round-the-island tourist highway are scheduled to open in late December this year. The total length of the route will reach close to 1,000 kilometers, with its uninterrupted stretch covering 442.7 kilometers. It will pass through 12 cities and counties in the province, such as Haikou, Sanya, Wenchang and Qionghai.
The route will pass through all main attractions of the island, picturesque bays and coves, mountain ranges, national parks, as well as areas of economic development. According to the authorities' plan, about 40 special stops for tourists will be set up all along the road. At each of these stops, travelers will be able to admire scenic views, visit attractions or learn more about local culture. Earlier, it was reported that the infrastructure already in place in Hainan meets the requirements for the use of electric cars along the entire length of the road under construction.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. The island is often called the "Eastern Hawaii" with its unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline more than 1.9 thousand kilometers long, all of which attracts visitors from the farthest corners of the world.
During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) Hainan welcomed about 352 million Chinese and foreign tourists.