Amid coconut breezes and rainforest mysteries, 450+ global travel agents, international tourism organization members, and industry experts explored Sanya on June 9, experiencing its coastal scenery, intangible cultural heritage, and modern vitality. Data from Fenghuang Immigration Checkpoint shows that in Q1 2025, over 242,000 passengers and 1,500 flights passed through Sanya Phoenix International Airport, up 79.2% and 66.1% year on year, reflecting booming tourism.
Sanya’s appeal stems from its 85-country visa-free policy (including 59 visa-free nations plus 27 with mutual visa waivers and 47 with unilateral waivers) and 240-hour transit visa exemption, combined with 32 international flight routes to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Southeast Asia, with over 100 weekly flights. The “one-machine dual-screen” inspection mode launched in late 2024 allows seamless customs and security checks, reducing waiting times.
To enhance foreign visitors’ experience, Sanya offers multilingual signage in scenic spots like Wuzhizhou Island and 9-currency cash exchange machines supporting GBP, USD, EUR, etc., at shopping malls. International credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) can withdraw RMB, and cross-border mobile payments like QR code scans further ease transactions.
Beyond its golden beaches, Sanya surprises with Li and Miao ethnic culture. At the Sanya Eternal Love scenic area, Russian travel agent Andrey Ivanov was amazed by the Li dance drama “Deer Returning,” while Australian visitor Mark Williams tried brocade weaving, calling it “a bridge to intangible heritage.”
In Q1, Sanya received 97,000 foreign tourists (81.5% of total entries), with 91,000 entering visa-free (93.8%), ranking among China’s top cities. The 2025 Overseas Travel Agents’ Hainan Tour further strengthened Sanya’s global connections, with agents praising its tourism diversity and expressing eagerness for cooperation. Sanya continues to break barriers, inviting the world to experience its warm hospitality.
Related Topics:
- Darwin Airport Resorts Earns Trio of Hospitality NT Awards
- TPConnects Enhances Travel Tech with Conversational AI Integration
- Indian Travelers Eye Unique Getaways in 2025
