Wang Ke, International Marketing Division Director from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, said during an interview that the province is advocating the development of the whole of Hainan island into a pilot free trade zone, while gradually exploring and steadily promoting the establishment of a free trade port.

Sanya leads other Chinese cities in terms of the amount of money spent locally by international visitors.

The city has 33 direct flights to cities outside of China, including a Sanya-London service. In addition to over 50 global hotel brands that have already expanded into Sanya, including Atlantis, Marriott and InterContinental.

Thomas Cook Sanya Branch, a joint-venture travel agency launched by Thomas Cook and the Chinese conglomerate Fosun International, was officially set up in Sanya on October 15, 2018.

Sanya, the sole tropical coastal destination in China, has become a popular destination among European visitors.