HAIKOU /China/, September 21. /TASS/. The authorities of the resort city of Sanya on the southern coast of China's Hainan Island are stimulating the development of inbound tourism with a series of diversification measures, the Economic Daily reported.

According to the newspaper, the local government is constantly increasing the number of international flights, optimizing visa policies, and working on improving the quality of services. As a result, the number of inbound tourists has increased not only from countries with temperate and cold climates, but also from neighboring countries in the tropics (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Thailand).

According to tourists interviewed by the publication, Sanya is a "true holiday paradise" where a wonderful climate and excellent ecology are successfully combined with picturesque landscapes, developed infrastructure and an absolutely safe public environment. The local entertainment industry allows you to meet the demands of vacationers of different categories.

According to official estimates, Hainan will receive about half a million foreign tourists in the first half of 2024 - 3.5 times more than in the same period of 2023. Most of the visitors will travel to Sanya, which is famous for its beaches and rich tourist program for both passive and active recreation lovers.

One of the effective measures that contributed to the increase in inbound tourism is the introduction of a short-term visa-free regime for groups of foreigners arriving in Hainan via the Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China - Hong Kong and Macao. As of July 30, citizens of other countries can stay on the island for 144 hours without a permit.

On top of providing entertainment and organizing various shows, Sanya is constantly improving conditions for medical, sports and cultural and educational tourism.  Golf, scuba diving, acupuncture, massage, creative activities and visits to traditional villages are part of a rich program that is constantly being expanded.

Payment methods and linguistic diversity

The government is paying great attention to improving the conditions regarding the local linguistic environment, and payments for goods and services by foreign tourists. Foreign bank cards, mobile payment apps and digital yuan can be used in Sanya. There are more than 10,000 POS terminals in the city, allowing visitors from other countries to pay for goods and services without contact. There are ATMs at Phoenix International Airport, railway stations and major transportation hubs where foreigners can withdraw cash.

Interpreters and guides are widely available in Hainan, including those who speak Russian. Hotels, restaurants and attractions often have staff who speak Russian quite well. Russian language signs and notices are posted throughout Sanya. In addition, the city has a 12345 hotline, which allows you to quickly contact the official service department by phone and in Russian, English, Korean or Japanese to file a complaint or report a problem. Many issues can be resolved within half an hour thanks to a proven response mechanism.

According to Liu Cheng, Deputy Director of the Hainan Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Film, Television, Publications and Sports, the authorities will continue to raise the image of the island's tourism brands. To this end, they plan to strengthen cooperation with relevant international organizations.

Sanya is a leading Chinese resort city with a population of more than 1 million.  In 2023, its gross product will reach 97.13 billion yuan (about 13.66 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 12%. The average annual temperature of the city reaches 25.4 degrees Celsius, and the coastline is over 260 kilometers long. There are 19 bays and about 40 islands suitable for tourism in the surrounding waters, all of which allow the local government to successfully develop yachting and beach holidays.