HAIKOU /China/, August 6. /TASS/. The flow of foreign tourists arriving on Hainan Island in January-June increased by approximately one third year-on-year, the Hainan Daily newspaper reported.

According to the publication, the number of passengers arriving in the southernmost province from abroad through the Phoenix International Airport (resort city of Sanya) during the reporting period increased by 33% and reached 630,000 people. The Meilan Airport in Haikou (the administrative center of Hainan) showed similar dynamics, with growth exceeding 29% (approximately 875,000 people).

Hainan reportedly occupies a leading position in terms of cross-border passenger traffic growth rates compared to other regions of China. According to official estimates, an optimization of the international route distribution system is simultaneously being observed. This has stimulated cooperation in the field of tourism, leading to an increase in tourist flows of approximately 80% from a number of Western European countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

At the same time, the main contingent of foreign vacationers in Hainan are reportedly citizens of Russia and other Russian-speaking countries, as well as nations of Southeast Asia. In this regard, there has been a constant increase in the number of flights on eight key international routes, including Sanya-Moscow.

As of the end of June, the number of international passenger and cargo routes in Hainan reached 89. This allows the province to maintain regular contacts with 50 cities in 28 countries. In addition, the island is connected to the special administrative regions of China – Hong Kong and Macao. This transport network reportedly takes into account the needs of regional development, the interests of the state and business.

A particularly important stimulus that made it possible to significantly increase the inbound flow to Hainan are the country's new visa-free rules, including with Russia. Sometimes called the Hawaii of China, foreigners are primarily attracted by the island's natural and climatic features – sandy beaches and tropical forests, as well as its unique specifics in terms of ethnic culture. Due to the constant development of the local service sector and the emergence of new destinations for recreation, the flow of tourists is becoming increasingly diversified. In particular, the province is gaining increasing popularity in terms of medical tourism.