Scenery of Yongxing Island in the Xisha Islands. File photo
By our correspondent Guo Chao — In response to recent media reports that “the Xisha Islands will be opened to tourists,” a staff member from the relevant department of the National Tourism Administration responded yesterday morning that the National Tourism Administration has not issued such information at this level.
National Tourism Administration
Has not issued information in this regard
Recently, some media reported that the Xisha Islands will soon be open to the general public, and that the National Tourism Administration is currently working with Hainan Province and relevant national departments to promote Xisha tourism. Yesterday morning, our reporter sought verification from the National Tourism Administration regarding this news. A staff member from the News Office of the General Affairs Department of the National Tourism Administration stated that the National Tourism Administration has not issued any information in this regard.
Hainan Tourism Commission
Now preparing to start from the overall plan
Our reporter called the Hainan Provincial Tourism Development Commission. A staff member in the office said they have taken note of the media reports. Deng Xiaogang mentioned in the reports is no longer the deputy director of the Hainan Tourism Commission but has been transferred to serve as a member of the Standing Committee of the Haikou Municipal Party Committee and Vice Mayor of the Haikou Municipal Government. In addition, the Hainan Tourism Economic Experimental Zone also considers Xisha tourism as a very important part of its development, but combining the two parts into one report is controversial.
Another official from the Hainan Tourism Commission said that there is indeed a plan to develop tourism projects on the Xisha Islands. The official stated that how to implement it will be handled by the Planning Department of the Hainan Tourism Commission.
A person in charge from the Planning Department of the Hainan Tourism Commission introduced that the National Tourism Administration is promoting the development of tourism on the Xisha Islands, but how to implement it has not yet been decided. He said that this matter requires coordination and resolution on multiple fronts. They are now preparing to start from the overall plan, but the plan has not yet been finalized.
■ Background
State Council: Actively and prudently develop Xisha tourism
It is understood that in December 2009, the State Council issued the “Several Opinions on Promoting the Construction and Development of Hainan International Tourism Island,” which stated, “We must actively and prudently open and develop Xisha tourism and orderly develop tourism on uninhabited islands.”
During this year’s National Two Sessions, Wang Zhifa, Deputy Director of the National Tourism Administration, introduced that the National Tourism Administration is actively working with Hainan Province and relevant national departments to promote Xisha tourism. He said that developing Xisha tourism can help safeguard borders and demonstrate China’s sovereign presence, and is also conducive to resolving issues related to other islands in the South China Sea.
■ Industry Voices
“Xisha’s fragile ecology calls for avoiding overdevelopment”
There is also debate within the tourism industry regarding the development of Xisha tourism. Yesterday, responsible persons from several travel agencies expressed concern about whether Xisha has the capacity to receive tourists and how to avoid overdevelopment.
Develop first, then establish opening regulations
Guo Lingmei, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at China Sacred Travel Group: From the perspective of the tourism industry’s requirements, the Xisha Islands currently do not have the capacity to receive tour groups. The island’s infrastructure is mostly military, with barracks for accommodation. Due to restrictions, renovating these areas is very difficult. In addition, there is limited fresh water on the island, making activities like bathing and dining challenging.
If Xisha tourism is to be developed, detailed opening regulations must first be established, determining how many people can visit per day, activity zones, and approval processes. A two-day trip for one person costing five to six thousand yuan is more expensive than most Southeast Asian island destinations, and tourists may not choose it.
The Maldives model could be adopted
Sun Lichan, Marketing Department, Huayuan International Travel: To develop tourism on Xisha, the Maldives model could be adopted. One professional hotel management group could be invited to operate each island, with full market-based operations. Only through market-based operations can we ensure that the island does not follow the same overdevelopment path as Beidaihe or Hainan Island.
Xisha tourism development must focus on environmental harmony, strictly control the number of visitors, ensure complete sewage facilities, and minimize the impact on the islands.
If it is determined that travel to Xisha will be by cruise ship, with short docking and limited time ashore, it would not be an island resort vacation but rather just an island sightseeing trip, with most of the time spent on the ship.
Should first learn to manage island tourism
Person in charge of Tuniu Travel Beijing Branch: The Xisha Islands have fragile ecosystems, and attention must be paid to island management during development. Aside from Hainan Island, Xisha is China’s only purely tropical island region. There is strong domestic demand for island tourism, which is currently mostly focused on Southeast Asian islands. From a market perspective, tourism operators certainly hope Xisha will become an open tourism area, but in terms of long-term development, relevant departments must first learn how to manage island tourism.
Looking forward to the opening of Xisha tourism
Responsible person from Hainan’s large-scale tourism enterprise Haikou Minjian Travel: We are very much looking forward to the opening of Xisha tourism. If the state determines the method of opening, we will actively participate in developing the routes.
■ Story
“Hundreds of backpackers visit Yongxing Island every year”
Yesterday, an island enthusiast nicknamed “White Wave” told reporters that the Xisha Islands are not officially open to tourists. To get there, one must take the supply ship “Qiongsha No. 3.” “There are about two to three hundred people a year, and in recent years, the number may be even higher.”
“Qiongsha No. 3” is the only official means for tourists to reach the islands. “White Wave” said it is the logistical supply ship serving Yongxing Island and Shidao, and tourists are allowed to board it.
The voyage to Yongxing Island on “Qiongsha No. 3” takes about 17 hours at sea. This is also one reason why some ordinary tourists are reluctant to go. “White Wave” said that although he spends all his time at sea, he still got seasick the first time he took the boat to the island.
The Xisha Islands are centered around Yongxing Island and are scattered across a sea area of over 500,000 square kilometers, comprising more than 40 islands and reefs. The region falls within the central tropical zone and has a tropical monsoon climate, offering stunning island scenery. “White Wave” said that after a night of tossing at sea, most people feel as if they’ve “seen the light of day and discovered a new continent” when they catch sight of Yongxing Island.
Yongxing Island is not actually desolate. There is the only supermarket and the only post office where you can make phone calls.
Yongxing Island is covered with coconut groves, and a kilometer-long breakwater extends into the sea. As soon as you disembark, you’ll see a stone tablet that records the history of Yongxing Island. Behind the tablet are the national emblem of the People’s Republic of China and a map that includes the Xisha Islands. Almost every visitor takes a photo here as a souvenir, making it an essential stop on any Yongxing Island tour.
After arriving, visitors can explore Yongxing Island and even go snorkeling near the shore. The marine environment of the Xisha Islands is well-preserved, with abundant fish life underwater. “White Wave” said that some visitors have told him they once saw schools of dolphins leaping out of the water, though such sightings are rare.
Regarding the potential opening of the Xisha Islands to social tourism, “White Wave” said, “That will take a long time. The island’s tourism reception facilities are not yet complete, and the harbor needs to be rebuilt.”