Tourism recovering on China's tourist island

The scenic spots in Sanya have received 74,000 tourists since they reopened to the public, and about 23,000 tourism workers have returned to work so far, according to the bureau of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports in the city.

"The number of tourists has been rising since the reopening, from 270 tourists on the first day to more than 1,100 on the International Women's Day," said Zheng Conghui, chairman of Sanya Tianyahaijiao Tourism Development Co., Ltd. "Special epidemic prevention measures are in place in each scenic site, covering ticket purchases and checks as well as tours, which are taken to protect both tourists and the workers from infection."

Noting that the tourist industry is recovering with the effective epidemic control in Hainan, Zheng said he is confident in Hainan's tourist market, although it will not fully recover until the epidemic ends.

"The tourism products based on health and sunshine will attract more tourists, as people will pay more attention to their health and families after the epidemic, and they will develop a propensity for taking holidays."

In a bid to cushion the tourism sector against the fallout of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and push forward building an international consumption center, Hainan provincial government has issued a slew of measures to support the tourism industry. The measures included reducing or exempting rents and taxes to help tourism companies weather the epidemic.