Guangdong Coastal Areas Top Tourist Choices during Summer Vacation Season

GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Guangdong province received 8.33 million tourists during the summer holiday of 2017 (July 1 - Aug. 31), increasing by 54% compared to last year's figures, according to a research report on summer holiday tourism jointly released by Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province and Tongcheng (LY.COM, an online travel agency). Coastal tourism, which is the most popular with tourists, tops the list.

During the period, fourteen coastal cities in Guangdong province received 7.34 million tourists with a year-on-year growth of 55%, accounting for 88% of the total tourists to Guangdong. Guangzhou and Shenzhen hit the highest number with 40% and 25% respectively, while Zhanjiang, Maoming and Dongguan recorded the strongest increases of 95%, 85% and 71% respectively.

Hailing Island in Yangjiang city has always been one of the most popular coastal destinations for tourists planning for their summer vacation. According to official figures released by Hailing Island Economic Development Pilot Zone, Hailing, in July and August, attracted 3.52 million visitors and brought about 2.4 billion yuan of tourist income, increasing year-on-year by 8.9% and 8% respectively. Also, it saw a huge rise in the number of visitors from northern regions and other provinces including Hunan and Guangxi as well as a remarkable growth in group travels.

It is said that besides regular attractions, Dajiao Bay in Hailing Island has introduced various programs, such as coastal music and dance performances, parade floats, symphonies, a water-splashing festival, a beer festival and a VR experience center. The new efforts applauded by tourists brought in 30% more visitors than last year. The Bay attracted increasingly more tourists from outside Guangdong and China, which are made up mainly of family tours.

Also, Nanhai One (South China Sea No. 1) reopened to the public in August after a half year of upgrading. It is a wooden vessel for transporting goods and trading with foreign countries along the Maritime Silk Road, which sank in the beginning of the Southern Song Dynasty. The wreck was exhibited for the first time in 2007 in the Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong. This year, the Museum attracts tourists to coastal areas with the improvement of the tour route (extended from 800 meters to 1500 meters) and more exhibits (added from 416 pieces to over 2000 pieces). It includes dozens of valuable items from Nanhai One, among which are exotic gold ornaments, elegant chinaware and very rare lacquerware from the Song Dynasty.

Highlights:

Tourists preferred destinations with themes. Among the tourists who came to Guangdong during summer vacation season in 2017, 51% of them chose aquariums, hot springs, the water world, historical sites, rafting and flower viewing.

Singapore was the most popular overseas trip destination. For overseas travel, 55% of Guangdong residents chose Singapore, Vietnam and Japan as their destinations. The choices of Germany and Belgium witnessed rapid growth.

SOURCE Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province