Haikou promotes tourism in Saint Petersburg

Unparalleled Haikou, a tourism promotion conference, was held in Saint Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia, on Sept 10, with more than 100 local officials, journalists and enterprise representatives in attendance.

Liao Xiaoping, director of the Haikou Tourism Development Commission, detailed Haikou's tourism resources and Hainan's visa-free policy for visitors from 59 countries.

Liao Xiaoping, director of the Haikou Tourism Development Commission, introduces Haikou's tourism resources and Hainan's visa-free policy for visitors from 59 countries. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Haikou, one of China's most popular tropical travel destinations, is noted for its warm climate, vast-stretching coastline, and star-studded hot springs. It not only is home to the world's largest golf club and mineral springs resort, but hosts a dozen international premium hotels. 

Under the new policy, group and individual tourists from Russia can visit Haikou visa-free and stay there for up to 30 days on condition that they book their tour through travel agencies.

Sunlight, beaches, seafood, wild animals, traditional Chinese medicine, visa-free entry and tax-refund departures; all these things entice the Russians to have a get-away in Haikou, said Yuriyevna Yevgeny, assistant director of the Saint Petersburg Department of Commerce.

The Haikou Tourism Promotion Center in Saint Petersburg was inaugurated the same day, and will serve as a window where local tourists can learn about Haikou and place direct orders for tourism products.

The Haikou Tourism Promotion Center in Saint Petersburg is inaugurated on Sept 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Haikou tourism products on display. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]