Event a chance for free trade port to shine

As the first large-scale international comprehensive sports event since the implementation of island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya serves as a pivotal platform for the city and Hainan province to promote high-quality development and showcase its achievements.

Alongside sporting competition, the event acts as a bridge for cultural exchange and regional cooperation, showcasing Hainan's unique cultural charm and the spirit of sportsmanship to participants and audiences from across Asia. Through this gathering, Sanya seeks to integrate into the global landscape and present a dynamic, open and confident image of the FTP.

According to the city government, the Games not only represent the highest-level beach sports event in Asia but also act as a crucial window to display the new image of the FTP. By integrating sports with urban development, Sanya hopes to realize a synergy that highlights the unique charm of the tropical coastal city on the global stage.

Leveraging this opportunity, Sanya is enhancing its tourism industry, improving urban infrastructure and fostering international openness and cooperation, thereby injecting sustained momentum into building a globally influential FTP with Chinese characteristics and an international tourism and consumption hub, local officials said.

Boosting tourism

In recent years, Sanya has embraced hosting international events as a strategic opportunity to explore a new sports-driven tourism development path. Beyond the Asian Beach Games, the city has introduced a number of high-profile international events, including the FIA Formula E World Championship and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, continuously revitalizing its tourism sector.

Capitalizing on the policy advantages of the Hainan FTP, Sanya has expanded its international air route network and improved international accessibility. With the implementation of an 86-country visa-free policy, Sanya Phoenix International Airport now operates 40 international and regional routes, connecting 31 major cities worldwide and providing more convenient and efficient direct services for overseas tourists.

Moreover, Sanya has focused on developing local sports event brands related to marathons and golf, driving the growth of industries such as sports planning, training and venue operation. The city has also extended its industry chain to attract supporting sectors such as sports rehabilitation, equipment manufacturing and event broadcasting, accelerating the construction of a sound development model of "event hosting — industrial agglomeration — consumption upgrading".

The hosting of international sports events has also elevated Sanya's tourism services to align with international standards. In preparation for the Asian Beach Games, Sanya has upgraded accommodation, catering, medical and other service facilities, and promoted multilingual and intelligent services.

The city aims to improve the foreign language communication skills, professional services, and emergency response capabilities of its workforce, striving to build a high-level service team befitting an international tourist resort.