City's success continues
Sanya has made the most of double-digit growth for the past decade, writes Sascha Matuszak
It's been more than a decade since Sanya burst into the international travel scene with a successful hosting of the Miss World pageant. Since then, the city has annually experienced double-digit growth in domestic tourism numbers and investment, an explosion of high-end luxury hotels and resorts, and a growing global footprint as a desirable vacation spot.
The city has achieved this success through concerted cultivation of the region's attractions combined with a hands-off approach to the development of organic secondary and tertiary business.
An example of the former would be the Sanya municipal government's drive to develop the services domestic and international tourists require, such as quality medical facilities, a slew of luxury hotels and resorts, and quick, convenient access to the beaches that make Sanya famous. The addition of Haitang Bay, with access to many interior and oceanside attractions and the many luxury hotels that will fill the beachside properties, shows the city's commitment to expansion. The infrastructure around several of Sanya's more famous tourist attractions - iconic spots such as Tianya Haijiao and the Nanshan Temple - has expanded to accommodate more visitors. The city has developed nearby attractions to take some pressure off the stalwart locations which see heavy traffic throughout the year.
The Yanoda National Park is a case in point. The park is a newer addition to the list of attractions, developed in large part using the resources the city built up over a decade of growth. Yanoda has maintained its wild allure, while allowing Sanya's core visitor demographic - families and couples - to experience tropical nature with ease. The ramps and pathways through the park are augmented by a small bus, trash cans line the way in, and attendants are discreetly stationed throughout the park.
Wuzhizhou Island is another example of concerted action to develop modern attractions. Thousands of tourists ply the short distance between Hainan Island and the little islet every day in summer. A fleet of golf carts offers a trip around the small outpost in the South China Sea to view the rocky cliffs and breaking waves. A massive aquarium is a great introduction to the local underwater wildlife, and for those who want to stay on, the Wuzhizhou Coral Resort offers luxury accommodation.
The local economy has taken advantage of the city's explosive growth. The real estate industry has boomed, with commercial and residential locations gaining tremendously in value. Locals are capitalising on improved services and transportation to expand business. Perhaps the most visible example of thriving local business is the food and beverage industry.
Dozens of new restaurants serving fresh seafood line the roads along the famous beaches - Sanya, Yalong and Dadonghai. There are hundreds of small restaurants in Sanya serving local dishes, but for the more affluent visitor, the best locations are the hotels. Outside of Sanya's luxury hotel dining experience, which rivals any seaside destination in the world, there is room for new restaurants to cater to international and domestic visitors.