S. China island province sees travel boom before Spring Festival

HAIKOU, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's southern island province of Hainan saw a surge in travelers on Saturday, one day before the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, said local officials.

A total of 65,397 people arrived in Hainan, a tourist resort, on Saturday, up 30.16 percent from the eve of the Chinese lunar new year of 2009, according to a spokesman with the local holiday and travel coordination bureau.

A survey of 10 scenic spots in Hainan showed they received about 41,750 visitors on Saturday and their total ticket income hit 2.07 million yuan (303,000 U.S.dollars), up 7.32 percent and 12.37 percent respectively from the eve of the last Spring Festival, the spokesman said.

Another survey of Hainan's 21 hotels showed they accommodated 6,101 travelers on Saturday, and reported an income of 5.04 million yuan, up 26.21 percent, he said.

From Feb. 1 to Feb. 13, more than 3,800 foreign travelers arrived in Hainan for a holiday, according to statistics from the Haikou General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

"I am very happy to spend Spring Festival in such a beautiful island. I hope more foreign travelers could experience the Chinese traditional festival here," said Daniel Sanchez, a Spanish traveler.

Last month, the central government announced a plan to build the island into a top international tourist destination by 2020.