Hainan sees boom in cruise tourism

The coastal city of Sanya, Hainan province, is experiencing significant advancements in the international cruise tourism sector. According to the China Ports and Harbors Association, the city hit a milestone in the first half of the year, with inbound and outbound passenger throughput of international cruise visits soaring to 54,624 passengers. Teaming up with the Resorts World One cruise ship, which commenced operations from Hong Kong to Sanya in September 2023, both vessels completed 16 voyages in January, welcoming 21,600 tourists from 27 countries and regions, according to the Sanya bureau of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports. Sanya is set to collaborate with neighboring cities and regions such as the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to develop multi-destination cruise products, aiming to tap into shared tourist markets and build a comprehensive cruise industry chain, said Albert Yip, director-general of the Sanya Tourism Board. Since the policy's resumption in March 2023 after the COVID-19 epidemic, there have been 70 arrivals and departures of cruise ships, welcoming 163,000 passengers, according to Sanya Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection Station.