Hainan becomes top destination for Russian visitors

MOSCOW -- South China's Hainan province has become the second largest destination for Russian visitors, a Chinese official said here on Thursday.

Russians topped the list of foreign visitors in Hainan, the renowned south-China resort island, Lu Zhiyuan, director of the Hainan Provincial Tourism Commission, told reporters here.

The international tourism hub received 120,000 Russian visitors in the first seven months of this year, slightly less than that of last year, Lu said.

Lu said that some 220,000 Russians visited the Chinese island in 2011.

Under the framework China-Russia Tourism year being held respectively in both countries in 2012 and 2013, Hainan was ready to welcome more Russian visitors with a tourist-friendly environment, easier visa procedures and more customized service, Lu said.

"The tourism year brought rare opportunities and broad space for the tourism cooperation between China and Russia," Lu said.

Lu said Hainan will organize a multi-layer tourism promotion campaign in Russia, with a number of provincial tourist companies, airlines, and artistic groups coming to Russia to attract more visitors.

The official also vowed to provide better service to Russian visitors in the field of accommodations, transportation, security, tourist signs and guides.

There currently is direct charter flight service from 13 major Russian cities to Hainan.

Located in the South China Sea, Hainan is China's southernmost province with an area of 33,920 square km and a warm tropical climate.