HAIKOU /China/, January 2. /TASS/. The authorities of the South Chinese province of Hainan will attract over 10 billion yuan (over $1.5 billion at the current exchange rate) for the project to organize sea cruise tours around the coast of the island, the Sanya Daily reported.
According to the newspaper, the government announced its intention to implement this project at a forum on attracting investment in the yacht and cruise business, which was held in the administrative center of Hainan in Haikou. Following this decision, the provincial transportation department and the marine project finance division of China Communications and Construction Company have signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to implement the program.
The forum participants noted, the Hainan "cruise belt" program will stimulate the development of a number of tourism-related industries, revive the restaurant and hotel business, the entertainment industry and retail. In addition, according to experts, this project will increase the appeal of sea routes, passing along the coast of the island, stimulate international cooperation under the initiative "One Belt, One Road". It is expected to create globally recognized tourist brands and cement Hainan's status as an important international transport hub.
The newspaper cites sources as saying that Haikou and the resort city of Sanya on the southern coast of the province will become key centers for the development of cruise routes, while other coastal cities and counties will form special service hubs for tourist ships. The new local service segment is expected to take shape in the next 10 years.
According to the project, the authorities will modernize and further equip the harbors along the coast of the island. In addition, the "cruise belt" network of transport links will be connected with modern highways and air harbors of the province. Thus, as noted, tourists will be able to get the maximum experience in a short period of time and begin an active program of leisure immediately after landing at the airport, combining exciting voyages by sea with visiting the numerous sights of Hainan.