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. This remarkable feat not only signifies Sanya's ascendancy to the top spot nationwide in this category but also underscores its burgeoning reputation as a leading cruise destination.

In addition, the total inbound and outbound passenger throughput of both visiting and home port passengers in Sanya reached 59,228 passengers, securing the third spot nationwide.

Sanya unveiled two new international routes at the beginning of this year. The 78,000-metric-ton Dream cruise ship set sail on Jan 14, offering routes from Sanya to Hue, Vietnam, followed by a journey to Ha Long Bay on Jan 25. 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.

"I would rather travel by cruise, where I can relax, be entertained, admire magnificent sea views and have a better experience than flying," said a Hong Kong tourist surnamed Chan.

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.

Gao Yongning, deputy director of the Cruise and Yacht Department of the Sanya Central Business District Administration, said that the remarkable increase in the number of cruise ships and routes can be attributed to a more favorable business environment and enhanced policy support. These factors have played a pivotal role in attracting more cruise operators to Sanya and facilitating the expansion of international routes.

Since 2019, Hainan has been on a mission to vitalize its cruise industry by introducing a series of policies aimed at fostering growth and development in this sector.

These policies have been crafted to align with international standards and best practices. Through a combination of reforms, enhanced regulations and increased openness to international collaboration, the province has laid the foundation for a thriving cruise industry that can cater to the needs of both domestic and international travelers.

Furthermore, Hainan has made significant investments in port infrastructure and embarked on comprehensive training programs to cultivate a skilled workforce of cruise industry professionals.

Hainan's 59-country visa-free entry policy has attracted a large influx of visitors and boosted the cruise industry in the region. 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.

The projected economic impact of cruises on China is poised to surge to 550 billion yuan ($76 billion) by 2035, according to the China Communications and Transportation Association and the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. It is expected to yield benefits across various sectors, including employment, consumption and tax revenues.