Space center fires tourism boom
Thousands of tourists and fans of outer space traveled to Wenchang, Hainan province, to witness the maiden launch of the Long March 7 carrier rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on June 25.
Construction on the Wenchang center, China's fourth and only coastal launch site, began in 2009. The project quickly became the driving force for the development of the city of Wenchang.
Shandong-based real estate and new energy developer Luneng Group is one of many companies that saw opportunities in the city. It has invested more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) in Wenchang in recent years. Its investments in the city include three world-class theme parks, a commercial real estate project with 500,000 square meters of floor space, a shopping street, 11 museums and 26 hotels.
International hotel brands have also been drawn to the city. The Hilton hotel in Wenchang opened last year, and a Pullman hotel is expected to open next year.
More significant than the economic gain is local social benefit.
Big enterprises create jobs for local people. Yang Songru, a resident of Longlou town, where the launch center is located, said many of his family members are employed by these large companies.
"The launch center in our town attracted many big enterprises to set up here, driving local employment," Yang said. "It would be impossible for us to get jobs in our hometown without that," Yang said.
Chen Xiaobo, Party chief of Wenchang, said: "We are taking advantage of the launch center project to develop Wenchang city."
Chen said Wenchang has invested billions of yuan in recent years in improving its infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and power supplies, and sewage disposal.
Wenchang mayor He Qiongmei said the launch center and related industries have given the city a promising future.
"Wenchang is developing an agricultural breeding industry with the help of the space launch center," she said. "We are going to build our agricultural brand based on cutting-edge space breeding technologies."
The city also wants to play a role similar to that played by Houston in the United States. Houston, Texas, is a renowned space city that attracts lots of space travel fans each year.
"We are even better than Houston in terms of natural scenery, and space-related tourism will add to Wenchang's charm," He added.
The city will also promote the development of its space science and technology industry.
"The government is planning to build a space science park, which will gather space-related and supporting industries," the mayor said.
Wenchang Space Science Center, a tourist facility at the launch center, is in trial operation. It allows tourists to take a close look at the launch tower, command center and space vehicle assembly.
In addition, a space flight theme park that consists of four zones - the Earth, Sun, Moon and Mars - will be built in Wenchang. It will integrate tourism with academic exchanges and science education.
Last year, Wenchang received 1.73 million tourists, bringing in about 1.2 billion yuan in revenue.
Contact the writers through huangyiming@chinadaily.com.cn
What they say
It was my first visit to a space launch. The launches in the years to come will bring in more tourists and I am sure my company will benefit from it.
Zeng Changfu, head of a local travel agency
The Wenchang launch center is quite different from the others in our country, because of its openness and coastal view. I always dreamed of seeing a rocket blasting of from the sea, and now my dream has come true.
Zhang Chen, a space fan from Beijing
I am so proud of my country. We are first-class in space science and technology in the world now. I believe the center will foster more talented professionals for Hainan province in a few years.
Ding Yinsheng, a freelancer from Haikou
The launch center brings the city new fame. The world will get to know Wenchang through the space center. It ofers us a great opportunity to promote our products.
Wu Shuli, salesman for a food company in Wenchang
(China Daily 07/11/2016 page4)
