A delegation from the China National Travel Service (HK) Group Corporation, led by board chairman Fu Zhuoyang, visited Pingtan on May 22 to investigate its tourism prospects, ptnet.cn reports.

With 33 years of experience in the tourism industry, Fu concluded that Pingtan’s tourism has incomparable advantages in market potential, policies and resources.

“Pingtan is nearer to Taiwan than Xiamen, and has vast markets behind it including Fuzhou, Ningde, Quanzhou and Putian, which will remain the main source of tourists. So I think the future is bright in Pingtan,” he said.

“And there is a variety of preferential policies for investors concerning the development of a cross-Straits pilot experimental zone, a free trade zone, an international tourist resort and the modern maritime Silk Road. These policies will greatly improve traffic conditions and infrastructure.”

Fu particularly mentioned the 70 km long beach and sea erosion landscapes in Pingtan, saying they are the most unique tourism resources, and Pingtan can try developing special tourism products with marine themes.

The bottom line for Pingtan, as he pointed out, is to keep tourists with its charm in addition to the convenient traffic.

“Based on the current situation, Pingtan is still only a ‘springboard’ for travelers commuting between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. This will do no good to tourism investment. It has to transform from a springboard to a wonderland with comprehensive facilities of entertainment, accommodation and catering. I believe there is enormous consumption potential behind that,” said Fu.