HAIKOU /China/, April 19. /TASS/. The resort city of Sanya is working on ways to create a "yachting capital" of the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) on Hainan Island, the Nanguo Metropolis Daily reported.
According to the newspaper, Sanya authorities organized a yachting exposition in parallel with the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou (the administrative center of Hainan Province), which took place this week. The city's industry association has taken the initiative to develop an international maritime cluster involving companies, industry organizations, research institutions and government agencies.
In order to make Hainan a key hub for the yachting industry, it is proposed to make coordinated efforts in six areas. These include promoting ecological and low-carbon knowledge-intensive projects, deepening international programs including cross-border tourism, and utilizing foreign management experience and advanced foreign technology.
It is also planned to optimize the development strategy of the industry by simplifying the procedures for obtaining yacht operation licenses, and promoting innovation in leasing and insurance. Special emphasis should be placed on developing a cadre of highly qualified Hainanese professionals in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the above category of vessels.
The initiative also points out the need to create a recognizable yachting brand for Sanya, as the resort has a very advantageous geographical location for exhibitions and competitions, allowing for rich cultural and tourist programs. Finally, safety, including navigational standards, will be prioritized by improving emergency rescue measures.
Turning a Chinese resort into Asia's yachting hub
The paper notes that the dynamic development of sailing shipbuilding in China opens up new opportunities for the economic development of Sanya, which has the necessary resources and infrastructure. According to statistics, the city has more than 1.4 thousand registered yachts.
Sanya has excellent prospects for this initiative due to the preferences of the Hainan Free Trade Port, zero tariffs on recreational and sailing boats used in industrial and commercial activities.
Official data shows that in 2024, yachts based in the city will make nearly 128,000 voyages, carrying over 900,000 tourists. This creates a "maritime consumer ecosystem" that can become a powerful growth driver. In addition, Sanya already has the necessary industry chains in place to ensure high business efficiency in this segment.
According to Lin Mingkun, head of the Sanya Cruise and Yachting Association, his association will continue to promote the development of relevant convention and exhibition activities and a comprehensive standardized service system to make the city the "yachting capital" of APAC. "It should be noted that this is the first nationwide initiative to develop the yachting industry, and I consider it an important milestone in shaping the industry," he emphasized.
Sanya is China's leading resort city and home to more than 1 million people. According to official estimates, its gross product exceeded 100 billion yuan (about $14 billion) in 2024, up by 5%. Its average annual temperature reaches 25.4 degrees Celsius, and its coastline is about 260 kilometers long. There are 19 bays and about 40 islands suitable for tourism in the adjacent waters, allowing the local government to successfully develop yachting, cruise tourism, beach and family vacations.