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26 Aug 2024, 02:31

Hainan popular among tourists from Russia in summer — Xinhua

According to the agency, the growing interest is caused by natural resources of the tropics, convenient visa-free regime, as well as modern infrastructure

HAIKOU /China/, August 26. /TASS/. Vacationing in Hainan Province has become widely popular among Russian tourists in the current summer season, Xinhua News Agency reported.

According to the agency, the growing interest in the island among Russian vacationers is mainly due to such factors as natural resources of the tropics, convenient visa-free regime, as well as modern infrastructure. For its development and improvement local authorities are constantly making active efforts.

In the first half of 2024 saw an annual increase in tourist traffic to the island of 495,000 people, which is more than 3.5 times more than in the first half of the year, Xinhua wrote with reference to the Hainan Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Film, Television, Publications and Sports of Hainan. This includes about 49.3 thousand tourists from the Russian Federation - 13 times more than in the same period in 2023.

According to the survey, holidaymakers from Russia are satisfied with the condition of Hainan's beaches and the adjacent sea area, local food, as well as the climate. Some of the Russian respondents admitted that they had been planning to visit the island for a long time.

Among the main advantages that attract Russians, as noted, are natural landscapes, developed hotel infrastructure, comfort and a variety of tourist products. Many of the tourists point out the convenience of transportation.

An important factor that led to the increase in Russian tourist traffic was visa-free entry. Russia is one of the 59 countries whose citizens can take advantage of this opportunity to travel to Hainan. Since February 9, this regime, which allows to stay in the province for 30 days, applies not only to tourists, but also to those who come on a business trip, visit relatives and friends, receive medical services, attend exhibitions or sports events.

Undoubtedly, the increase in the number of direct air routes connecting Russia with China's southernmost region has also played a positive role. In particular, the Phoenix International Airport in the resort city of Sanya on the southern coast of Hainan offers flights to Moscow, Astana and some other routes covering the Russian-speaking area.

According to Liu Zhen, marketing director of Sunshine Resort Intime Hotel, the number of vacationers from Russia has increased significantly this summer. Especially after the air route from Sanya to Krasnoyarsk was launched at the end of June. According to the manager, the hotel's occupancy rate is now over 85%. More than 50% of them are foreigners, mostly Russians.

According to Liu Zhen, visa-free travel and the resumption of flights played an important role in the recovery and development of the local hotel business.

Adapting services to Russians

According to many Russian tourists, they have no problems with communication or payment in Hainan. Many of them connect to Chinese mobile payment systems - Alipay and WeChat.

For the convenience of Russians, in some places on the island signs and signs are made not only in Chinese and English, but also in Russian. As mentioned, the food in hotels is also adapted to the tastes and preferences of foreigners.

Hainan also has guides and waiters who can serve tourists in Russian. Thus, guests from Russia who do not speak foreign languages can easily explain themselves on many issues. In some hotels and restaurants, menus are translated into Russian.

The Hainan Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Film, Television, Publications and Sports said that local authorities are working on measures to provide convenience for overseas vacationers, taking into account their habits and preferences. For convenience, foreigners will be offered a simplified payment mechanism that "supports most major types of international credit cards and near-field contactless transactions."

For those who like to travel independently by car, online services for temporary driver's licenses are available. For visitors, the relevant departments have joined forces with businesses to create in-demand tourism products in several key areas, covering cultural, entertainment, medical and sports themes, as well as itineraries that allow them to appreciate.

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