Hengqin raises ante in further developing tourism

Up to 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) a year will be granted by the Hengqin New Area Administrative Committee toward festivals or events that support local leisure tourism, according to new measures adopted for that purpose.

The paper encompasses 15 articles covering marine cruises and yachting, natural wetlands and forests, and other draws oriented to technological, cultural, and health interests. Low-altitude aircraft flight and sports competitions are also included, with new business models of leisure tourism encouraged.

Encompassing food, accommodations, transportation, travel, shopping, and entertainment, the measures stipulate support for scenic spots, hotels, travel services, campsites, tourist products, festivals and events, and educational, scientific and cultural training bases.

For instance, Article VII states that newly rated China's top 100 international, domestic, and city top 10 travel agencies registered in Hengqin will be awarded a one-time subsidy of 500,000 ($75,600), 300,000 ($45,360) and 100,000 yuan ($15,120) respectively. Those with 5A, 4A, or 3A status will be granted with a one-off reward of 300,000, 200,000, and 100,000 yuan respectively.

China-Latina Int'l Dance Championship [Photo by Zeng Yao / Zhuhai Evening Post]

The National Tourism Administration supported Hengqin's bid to build an international leisure tourist island after noting the growing scale of local tourism. For example, Chimelong International Ocean Resort on Hengqin Island has attracted more than 40 million visitors since it opened in 2014.

Multiple leisure tourism and cultural and creative projects have settled in the area or are under construction with an investment of more than 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) each. Expectations have been raised that the government will launch policies or measures to guide, standardize, and advance the projects.

Measures of the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone to Promote Leisure Tourism Development came into effect on June 1. They require specific measures from local administrative committees to ensure the scientific use and effective supervision of the funding.

China International Circus Festival [Photo by Zhu Xi / Zhuhai Daily]