Zhuhai islands determined to draw tourists in offseason

Seafood and micro film festivals, and bodybuilding competition will be rolled out to lure visitors to the Wanshan Archipelago at the turn of the hot and slack seasons.

This year's Haixin Seafood Festival will be held on Wailingding Island from Oct 10 to Nov 30. The festival, already held four times in the newly upgraded 4A-Grade scenic area, has become a top-billed tourism brand.

October is a premium time to enjoy the harvest of the sea. More than 10 fishing boats will directly supply wild deep-sea produce to the organizer, Haixin Youhuo Resort Hotel, for processing, according to hotel general manager Li Jinchun.

Online gourmets will join the island visitors in appraisals during the seafood festival to make the selection more professional.

In addition, a national bodybuilding competition is scheduled on Wailingding Island during October. Guishan Island, for its part, will host a micro film festival from October to January, soliciting works themed Wanshan Archipelago.

The archipelago is one of the seven biggest fisheries in China. It once set a record catch of 60,000 kilos of fish a net, but usually enters a slack season from November to April. 

In recent years, the Wanshan Marine Development Experimental Zone has attracted off-season visitors through seafood festivals, rock climbing, and offshore angling competitions, and also is staging promotional conferences in large cities.

Additionally, helicopter trips were initiated from Zhuhai Jiuzhou Helipad to Dong'ao Island, while routes to Big Wanshan and Wailingding islands will be available soon.