With long stretches of pristine sandy beaches and year-round sunshine, Hainan is China’s equivalent of the French Riviera, affectionately known to many as the “Cannes of the East”. Sanya, the tropical beach resort in China’s Hainan Island, is positioned as a luxury travel destination with international appeal, a strong rival to resort locations such as Bali and Phuket.

Increasingly drawing more elite Chinese and overseas holiday makers, the city is gradually moving its travel market upscale, with continued efforts in boosting its luxury tourism sector, which includes the building of an international cruise terminal, world-class yachting marinas and five-star hotels. In 2008, three top international resort brands, Ritz-Carlton, Singapore-listed Banyan Tree and Mandarin Oriental, all opened for business in the city.

Recognising the island’s potential as the newest luxury hotspot, Sanya’s Deputy Mayor Li Boqing said, “We will re-identify the city’s travel market and make a change in the tourism industry development pattern from the low-end toward the upper-end.”

One of China’s most modern marina and yacht club, the Visun Marina will host for the second consecutive year the Hainan Rendez-Vous. The marina, with the largest quay wall in Hainan for stern mooring, capable of berthing super yachts of 30 metres and above, was officially inaugurated in October 2009. The marina zone is part of the final phase of Visun’s luxury residential development which features restaurants, shops, entertainment facilities and low-rise, sea-view marina homes.