HAIKOU /China/, April 30. /TASS/. Haikou (the administrative center of the southern Chinese province of Hainan) is actively promoting the integration of the tourism and sports industries, especially water sports, Haikou Daily reported.
In recent years, Haikou has been successfully organizing water sports competitions, which attract a large number of participants and visitors, the paper noted. Water sports thrive in Haikou's climate and its the geographical location, the newspaper said. At the same time, they attract a large number of people, thus creating an additional incentive for consumption. All this, the article stated, promotes the deep integration of the sports and tourism industries.
Yacht show
According to Haikou Daily, the 4th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), held in Haikou from April 13 to 18 2024, hosted the 4th International Boat Show. Over 250 recreational vessels took part in the event, up 14% from 2023 and a record-breaking year. The publication notes that many world-renowned yacht manufacturers took part in this year's show.
Competitions in sea fishing, canoeing, kayaking, canoeing and sailing, as well as water performances were also organized within the framework of the expo. The paper highlighted that with the diversification of Chinese consumers' leisure activities, yachting is becoming an increasingly popular way to spend time. During the Hainan Expo, tourists could also admire Haikou's sea views from a special pleasure boat.
The International Boat Show, which is an important part of the Hainan consumer expo, fully demonstrates the uniqueness of Haikou's yachting industry as well as its tremendous potential in terms of boosting consumption, the newspaper reported Wang Ming, chairman of Haikou Tourism & Culture Investment Holding Group, as saying. “Organizing the yacht show allows Haikou to not only showcase its charm to the outside world, but also contribute to improving the quality of the tourism industry as well as stimulating consumption,” he pointed out.
Water sports
Besides the yachting industry, Haikou has abundant resources for the development of water sports, including windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, canoeing and sailing, surfing, water skiing and jet skiing, among many others.
According to the paper, many sports training bases have appeared on Haikou's west coast in recent years. The advantages of the city's geographical location, such as comfortable climate and water temperature, wind direction and strength, wide beaches, and the absence of reefs, contributed to the development of water based sports.
Water sports in Haikou were very popular among the participants and guests of the 4th China International Consumer Products Expo, according to Haikou Daily. The paper stated that the unique opportunities of Haikou for the development of water sports will attract more Chinese and foreign tourists.
Tourism and sports development
The combination of sports and tourism has become a popular product in Haikou's tourism and leisure market. Mai Weiwen, secretary general of the Haikou Association of Travel Agencies was quoted as saying: “In recent years, sports tourism has been gaining momentum and has become a new trend in the development of the tourism industry.” According to the newspaper, Haikou is actively exploring the “sports and tourism” development model, holding nationwide competitions, attracting tourist flows and thus creating opportunities for monetization of the tourism industry.
With the development of infrastructure city authorities will hold even more large-scale sports competitions, including water sports, as well as major cultural and entertainment events, Haikou Daily reported.
The authorities have set the task of turning Hainan into an “international center of tourism and consumption” by 2025. he Chinese island is often referred to as "Eastern Hawaii": natural landscapes, tropical forests, a developed hotel chain combined with beaches and a coastline stretching along more than 1,900 kilometers attract guests from the most remote parts of the world.