Tourism industry to boom on back of big investment projects

In the wake of the decision to turn Zhanjiang into a major tourism destination of Southern China in the city government's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), swathes of investment has flowed into the coastal city to create a new pillar of industry.

Located just north of one of China's most popular beach tourism attractions, the island province of Hainan, Zhanjiang enjoys a similar subtropical climate to many of the world's greatest holiday hot spots, including Hawaii and Miami in the United States.

Zhanjiang's white sandy beaches, clean seawater, long summers, hot springs, volcanic geology and fresh seafood are just a few of its major draws, according to Huang Jianhui, vice president of Dinglong Group, one of the developers that has invested in the city's tourism sector.