- The city expands direct routes and introduces multi-destination tourism 
products exclusively for the European market 

A delegation of tourism executives from Sanya, the only tropical coastal travel 
destination of China attended ITB Berlin 2019 from March 6 to March 7. During 
the event, the city explored collaboration opportunities with major European 
travel agencies and airlines as part of the roll out of multi-destination 
tourism products and new direct flights.

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190308/2397845-1

This was the 13th consecutive time that Sanya has attended ITB, one of the 
world's largest international travel trade shows. 

During the ITB, Sanya drew a lot of attention from show visitors during a 
showcase at which the presenters highlighted the city's most compelling 
characteristics as a coastal destination: the unique traditions of the Li and 
Miao ethnic groups who reside in the area, the diversity of available 
accommodations, the tourism and entertainment venues with a focus on the local 
culture, as well as the visa-free policy for 59 countries and the city's 
reputation as a safe and reliable destination. 

Sanya Travel operators and leading European counterparts. On March 7, Sanya 
Friendship International Travel Agency signed an agreement with a Poland travel 
agency to launch a direct flight between Sanya and Warsaw. The new service is 
scheduled to commence in October 2019. 

Sanya Holiday International Travel Agency and Hainan United Airlines, among 
other local tourism providers, sought to deepen the relations with their 
counterparts from European countries.

On the evening of March 7, Sanya Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports 
Bureau held a promotion event targeting key European travel agencies at Berlin 
Marriott Hotel, with Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, 
Television and Sports' deputy director Mr. Ao Liyong and their International, 
Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan Marketing Division deputy division chief Fu 
Fenghua as well as Sanya Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports Bureau 
marketing department director Mr. Pang Yongda, Haikou Tourism, Culture, Radio, 
Television and Sports Bureau researcher Mr. Wen Delin, Economic and Commercial 
Office of the Chinese Embassy in Germany counsellor Mr. Gao Zhanguo and 
Heidelberg Marketing GmbH CEO Mr. Mathias Schiemer, in addition to the more 
than 120 guests. 

The promotional conference opened at 7:00pm. Mr. Ao delivered a presentation on 
the status and business environment of Hainan's tourism sector during his 
speech. 

In addition, China Tours Hamburg CTH GmbH managing director Mr. Andreas Janz 
shared stories about his several sojourns in Sanya while TUI China Inbound 
Tourism Department director Mrs. Zou Xiuying gave a presentation on the 
customized multi-destination tourism offerings for travelers from Germany. 

In 2018, Sanya Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports Bureau began 
collaborating with Germany-based TUI Group on the marketing and sales of 
Sanya's tourism offerings in the German market with the aim of improving the 
city's positioning in Europe as an international travel and holiday 
destination. 

Sanya currently has scheduled flight services to 30 international and regional 
destinations, consisting of a mix of 91 short-, medium- and long-haul flights 
per week. This year, Sanya plans to continue expanding promotional efforts 
outside of the home market. By promoting the multi-destination tourism 
products, the city will continue to expand the number of international routes 
to and from destinations in Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as partner with 
leading domestic and international travel agencies operating in the inbound 
tourism market, in a move to improve the city's competitiveness in the 
international tourism market and genuinely earn the status as a world-class 
coastal tourism destination.

SOURCE  Sanya Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports Bureau