Latest News:  

English>>Travel

Cruises sail to Xisha Islands

(China Daily)

09:04, May 24, 2013

Navy soldiers stationed on East Island, the second largest of the Xisha Islands, play with a white gannet, a protected species, on Saturday. More than 40 species of birds live on East Island, known as "the island of the birds". (Xinhua / Zha Chunming)

Cruises to the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea began to sell at major travel agencies following a successful maiden voyage last month.

The political significance is much bigger than the economic benefits that the cruises will bring tour operators, industry specialists said.

Some 100 Chinese tourists embarked on a four-day voyage to Xisha on the Coconut Princess, the only cruise ship allowed to sail there, on April 28.

Another sailing is set to take place on Friday, with some 150 passengers.

The islands, including Dongsha, Nansha and Zhongsha, are located 330 kilometers southeast of South China's Hainan province.

"Cruises are likely to be the main choice for tourists to Xisha as they minimize damage to the environment," said He Yong, general manger of Ctrip's tourism business department.

His company's five-day cruise is priced between 7,000 yuan ($1,140) to 9,000 yuan.

The cruise will depart once or twice a month.

"We haven't received too many people signing up yet mainly because it's brand new," He said.

However, some travel agencies are not sure about the economics.

Dong Liang, a spokesman for China Youth Travel Service said that the price is too high compared to routes to Japan or the Republic of Korea.

"It's not that cost-effective. For example, a cruise to the Republic of Korea costs only between 3,000 yuan to 4,000 yuan, or first class for 6,000 yuan to 7,000 yuan," he said.

Peng Yueting, who works at Hainan Ananda International Travel Service and is in charge of the company's cruise sales to Xisha, said some tourists from the maiden voyage complained about limited resources.

Without any hotel on the island, cruise-goers have to eat and sleep on board the ship rather than staying overnight on the island.

Drinking water is transported from Hainan by supply boats and electricity produced by diesel generators.



"Another problem is we can't tell tourists how many seats are available, as Coconut Princess isn't a full-time entertainment cruise ship. It also needs to carry workers to Xisha, and the local government may request travel agencies to withdraw passengers at the last minute as more workers need to go to the islands," she said.

In addition, there are special requirements.

Only mainland tourists aged between 18 to 60 in "good health, which includes normal weight, no history of heart disease or hypertension" are allowed. Foreigners are not permitted on board.

"A product like this is not suitable for promotion by a travel agency," said Yang Yanfeng, associate researcher with China Tourism Academy.

Yang said sailing to Xisha was a bit like paying a visit to Taiwan.

"It involves national sentiment, but more importantly, it helps declare our territorial integrity," Yang said.

Ningbo native Fu Jinfang, 50, paid nearly 10,000 yuan for Friday's trip to Xisha, including return flight between Zhejiang and Hainan (the cruise starts from Haikou and he needs to fly there first).

"It's not at all about the money — Xisha Islands are part of China but unfortunately, not many Chinese have been there," Fu said.

We recommend:

Audi Fashion Festival opens in Singapore

Dare to ride terrifying roller coasters?

Dancers perform 'Mirror and Music' in Taipei

Foggy Xin'an River in Jiande, E China

A taste of Russia at Harbin's Volga Manor

Zhang Ziyi poses at Cannes Film Festival

Those weird people in McDonald

Celebrating 'mother of Chinese opera'

Top 10 Hurun best-selling Chinese artists

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:YeXin、Chen Lidan)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. East Sea Fleet conducts firing drill

  2. PLA's amphibious assault vehicles



  3. Residents clean up destroyed Moore, Okla.

  4. Migrant children pose for photo shooting

  5. Steel roses: woman police in training

  6. Summer style girls in street of Nantong

  7. History of National Art Museum of China

  8. Chinese films well received in Brussels

  9. 10 million-yuan bra shines in North China

  10. 19-year-old self-made multimillionaire

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Exchange rate reform may take time
  2. Stricter elevator rules needed
  3. Job market not that bad for grads
  4. US IT restriction act fails to charm industry
  5. 'Asia's future hinges on China and India'
  6. Cannes: where celebrity sells and celebrities sell
  7. Latent demand expected to take tarnish off gold
  8. Positive signs in Europe hard won
  9. Preserving culture hurts
  10. Chinese premier's India trip to evince Beijing's unwavering pursuit of better ties

What’s happening in China

Post office demolished by 'mistake' overnight

  1. China rainstorm leaves 4 dead, 500,000 affected
  2. 5 dead, 4 injured in E China road accident
  3. Chinese courts to deploy more citizen jurors
  4. Death toll rises to 33 in E China plant blast
  5. 2,000 electric cars for renting in Beijing