China News Service, Haikou, September 14 (Reporter Wang Ziqian) Hainan's traditional tourism peak season is approaching, and cruise tourism has ushered in a new policy.
The General Office of the People's Government of Hainan Province announced on the 14th the "Administrative Measures for Foreign Cruise Ships to Carry out Multi-point Calling Services in Hainan Free Trade Port", clarifying that Hainan will release multi-point calling services for foreign cruise ships by the end of 2024.
The multi-point call service of foreign cruise ships at the Hainan Free Trade Port refers to the fact that foreign cruise ships call continuously at two or more coastal ports in Hainan Free Trade Port during route operations, and finally complete the transportation arrangements for the entire voyage.
The Measures clarify that when applying for the operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port's multi-point calling business, the relevant operator shall submit the relevant materials to the competent department of transportation of Hainan Province, and shall be responsible for its authenticity and legality.
Cruise operators carrying out the Hainan Free Trade Port's multi-point calling business shall obtain the permission of the Hainan Provincial Department of Transportation in accordance with the law, and operate in accordance with the law within the scope of the approved permits.
Cruise operators who have been approved to carry out the multi-point calling business of the Hainan Free Trade Port shall not allow passengers who are carrying passengers when calling at the Hainan Free Trade Port to disembark and not return.
Hainan requires that all relevant port operators shall not provide berthing and ship disembarkation services for cruise operators who have not been approved to carry out the multi-point calling business of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Foreign cruise ships that carry out multi-point calling operations involving only the Hainan Free Trade Port without approval will stop their illegal operations and be punished in accordance with relevant regulations.
The "Overall Plan for the Construction of Hainan Free Trade Port" proposes to accelerate the development of Sanya into an international cruise home port, support the construction of a cruise tourism pilot zone, attract international cruise registration, and establish a yacht industry reform and development innovation pilot zone.
At present, industrial support measures such as the pilot project of the Chinese-funded flag of convenience cruise upstream route have been implemented in the cruise port of the Hainan Free Trade Port, and the cruise yacht economy is becoming an important driving force for the development of Hainan's tourism industry.
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