A photograph shows tourists on the beach of Pingtan. [File photo]

Pingtan, an emerging international tourism destination in China, has reported remarkable tourism statistics for the first ten months of 2024. The Tourism and Culture Sports Bureau of Pingtan announced that the island attracted 9.3362 million visitors, generating a total tourism revenue of 9.448 billion yuan. This represents a 2.7% increase in tourist numbers and a 4.1% increase in expenditure compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.

The burgeoning yacht industry stands out as a key contributor to Pingtan's tourism growth this year. The newly established No. 22 International Yacht Marina has quickly become a popular destination for aquatic enthusiasts. Since its inauguration in June, the marina has welcomed over 10,000 visitors and offers an array of water-based activities, including yachting, jet skiing, sailing, and banana boat rides.

"By introducing a diverse range of tourism products, we aim to provide an exceptional marine tourism experience, enabling visitors to fully enjoy the sea's pleasures," stated Liao Kunteng, director of Pingtan Hefeng Yacht Co., Ltd.

In addition to the thriving aquatic activities, Pingtan has enhanced its tourism offerings with a variety of sports events, musical performances, and outdoor adventures. The Pingtan International Performing Arts Center, a cultural beacon, has showcased performances from countries such as Greece, France, Slovakia, and Russia.

Focusing on its unique island resources, Pingtan has been promoting the theme of "international flair and youthful fashion," solidifying its brand as an island of starry seas and romance, an island of music, art, and joy, an island of branded events and energy, and an island of delightful tourism experiences. The island's cultural and tourism industry has undergone a comprehensive upgrade.

Huang Ruosi, a marketing specialist from the Tourism and Culture Sports Bureau, elaborated on Pingtan's tourism strategies. "In marine tourism, we are developing cruise and yacht industries to create new 'island-sea' tourism scenarios. In cultural tourism, we integrate culture into tourism and vice versa, fostering cultural highlands related to the 'Austronesian' and 'underwater archaeology' to expand their influence. For sports tourism, we leverage sports events to boost tourism, hosting international events like the Beach Handball World Championship to enhance Pingtan's international reputation. In terms of marketing, we are shaping the city's tourism brand as 'Romantic Pingtan under the Stars and Sea' through themed activities and innovative marketing campaigns."

To meet the growing demands of tourists, Pingtan's scenic spots are undergoing upgrades.