Foreign-registered yachts will be able to stay up to 183 days a year in the waters of China's southernmost Hainan Province as of April 15, up from the current 15 days, according to a new regulation.
The regulation comes as the famed tourism island tries to boost its yachting sector to help draw wealthy tourists from abroad.
Foreign yachts can stay in Hainan waters for a maximum 30 days at one time but will be allowed to apply for extensions twice, with each one not exceeding 30 days, said a spokesman with Hainan Customs on Wednesday, quoting a new yachting regulation effective on April 15.
The combined duration of stay would be no longer than 183 days for foreign yachts every year, the spokesman said.
Under the new regulation, more ports will be available for yachts to go through entry and exit procedures.
The tropical island is attempting to turn yachting into one of the pillars of local tourism according to the province's development plan for up to 2015.
It also plans to build 13 more yacht ports, in addition to the current three, said Chen Zhifeng, deputy chief of Hainan Customs.
Hainan announced a plan early last year to build itself into a top international tourism destination by 2020.
The regulation comes as the famed tourism island tries to boost its yachting sector to help draw wealthy tourists from abroad.
Foreign yachts can stay in Hainan waters for a maximum 30 days at one time but will be allowed to apply for extensions twice, with each one not exceeding 30 days, said a spokesman with Hainan Customs on Wednesday, quoting a new yachting regulation effective on April 15.
The combined duration of stay would be no longer than 183 days for foreign yachts every year, the spokesman said.
Under the new regulation, more ports will be available for yachts to go through entry and exit procedures.
The tropical island is attempting to turn yachting into one of the pillars of local tourism according to the province's development plan for up to 2015.
It also plans to build 13 more yacht ports, in addition to the current three, said Chen Zhifeng, deputy chief of Hainan Customs.
Hainan announced a plan early last year to build itself into a top international tourism destination by 2020.
