China’s premier tourist island is building a CNY 600 million (USD 88.7 million, EUR 77.5 million) seafood market in order to secure more “quality” seafood supply for the millions of visitors it sees ever year, according to the government of Sanya, the main city and beach resort on Hainan, an island province off the southern Chinese coast.
The market will “promote Sanya’s tourism industry by ensuring high quality goods,” according to a statement from the municipal government which said that it will open in time for Chinese New Year 2018.
China’s domestic tourism industry has taken off in recent years alongside the country’s growing incomes, and the building of resorts and leisure parks has become a boom industry. The 56,000-square-meter market in Tianya district is being designed to cater to the growing number of domestic visitors, and the island has become particularly popular with Russians. It will “advance people’s welfare” and will feature 94 outlets, according to the statement.
Last year, a huge resort-style seafood market opened recently in Haikou, the other major city on Hainan Island, which frequently markets itself as a Florida-style destination for China’s masses. The Wan Ren Hai Xian Guang Chang market – which is also using the English name ‘Million Seafood Square’ – has opened outside Haikou City in Hainan. It features 150 retail stalls as well as 40 snack bars, a ferris wheel, a playground and exhibition and cultural areas. Hainan is also home to resorts and hotels operated by international management firms including Hilton and Shangri La.
