Media representatives from 19 countries conclude six-day tour of China's Sanya

Media representatives and foreign content creators from 19 countries and regions, including Bangladesh, have had the chance to see up close the many-sided beauty and development of Sanya, the tourist city in China's southern Hainan province. They took part in the 'Go China in Sanya' international communication programme held from 1 to 6 November.

Organised as part of the 'Why China: Discovering Sanya' initiative, the programme aimed to present the city's nature, history, culture, tourism industry and economic potential to the international media.

The programme was inaugurated at the city's Luhuitou tourism area. There, Li Yingting, head of the publicity department of the Sanya municipal committee, spoke about the city's prospects for international tourism and economic development. He urged the foreign media representatives to present their Sanya experience to the world.

The programme was held under the guidance of the publicity department of the Sanya municipal committee and organised by the Sanya tourism development bureau. It was supported by the Sanya municipal cyberspace administration, and the Hainan branch of the China News Service International Communication Group was responsible for implementation.

During the six-day tour, the representatives visited various natural and historic sites in Sanya. The expansive sea and city views from Luhuitou mountain, the enchanting coast of Tianya Haijiao and the natural environment of Dadonghaitian presented the city's unique geographical beauty before them.

On Wuzhizhou Island, they had the chance to learn about initiatives to protect the marine environment and coral reefs. On the other hand, the century-old fishing village on West Island offered a different experience of getting to know the traditional way of life of local people.

One of the main attractions of the cultural heritage was the ancient city of Yazhou. There, traditional architecture, folk music and cultural performances of the Li ethnic group highlighted the many-sided history and culture of Hainan.

But Sanya's identity is not limited to beaches and historic sites. The Hongzhou International Yacht Marina, Atlantis Sanya and the CDF International Duty Free Mall presented the picture of the city's modern tourism and the growth of international trade.

The 'passport friendly' initiative for foreign tourists at Sanya Joy City also received special attention. Through it, efforts are being made to make shopping and access to various services easier for foreigners.

The connection of tourism with education, health and agriculture was another notable aspect of the tour. The representatives visited a traditional Chinese medicine and healthcare centre, the Hainan Luzon Tourism University and Durian Valley, learning about new possibilities in these sectors.

Sanya is also advancing in expanding international connectivity. According to local authorities, the city has 38 international passenger air routes. By 24 October this year, international passenger traffic at Sanya Phoenix International Airport had exceeded one million, 30.3 percent more than the same period last year.

It was also stated that citizens of 88 countries enjoy benefits under various visa-free entry arrangements.

This six-day tour of Sanya showed how efforts to link tourism development with cultural heritage, environmental protection, modern infrastructure and local economic activity can enrich a city's international identity.

The experience is also important for Bangladesh and other countries. Sanya's initiatives have brought to the fore the discussion of how essential the combination of local culture, the environment and tourist-friendly services is, not just infrastructure building, for the long-term development of the tourism industry.