National plan boosts morale of Hainan people

The State Council's on Monday announced plans to build the southern island of Hainan into a top international tourism destination by 2020. It has greatly boosted the morale of people on the island. Local businesses and government bodies are making ambitious plans to seize the new opportunity.

In the early morning, Costa Classica stopped over in Hainan's Phoenix Island International cruise port, bringing more than 1000 European tourists.

And there'll be many more. Every week, one cruise will stop over in Hainan. The tropical island has been included on the itineraries of the world's three biggest cruise companies.

Hainan plans to expand its port, and make it a starting place for international cruises.

Zeng Xianyun, Chairman of Sanya Pheonix Island Development Co. said "In 2010, our development of the international cruise port will rise to a new level. We plan to build the biggest cruise port in Asia. International tourists can get on a cruise from here and travel all around the world. "

Hainan also plans to expand beach-side businesses and develop hot springs, a rain forest park and amusement park.

Wen Chuanbao, Head of Tourism Bureau of Wenchang City, Hainan Province said "We are so glad that the State Council has put Hainan's development to a national strategic level. That will offer Hainan a new platform for our economic development and opening and reform. We will work hard to bolster an international tourism market, cultural diversity and an environmentally friendly and harmonious society."

Under the State Council's plan, Hainan's tourism service facilities and management skills will be at international level by 2020. The target is to lift tourism to more than 8-percent of the province's GDP by the same year.