Zhanjiang receives over 14.47 million tourists in the first quarter of this year. [Photo/gdzjdaily.com.cn]

Zhanjiang received over 14.47 million tourists in the first quarter of this year, generating 14.42 billion yuan ($2.26 billion) in tourism revenue, up 16.2 and 18.7 percent year-on-year, respectively.

The local tourism industry has maintained strong momentum since 2017. With more than 43.5 million visitors spending over 42 billion yuan in the city, the added value of tourism accounted for 6.6 percent of Zhanjiang's gross domestic product (GDP) last year.

Such phenomenal growth can be largely attributed to increased coastal tourism. In 2017, Zhanjiang saw 3.27 billion yuan invested into key tourism projects such as the Dragon Bay International Marine Ecology Resort, the Jizhao Bay Cultural Tourism & Sightseeing Zone, and the Sport Small Town on Nansan Island.

Next, Zhanjiang will take measures to transform and upgrade its tourism industry, such as developing all-in-one tourism, strengthening regional cooperation with Hainan Island, and upgrading Zhanjiang Ocean Week.

Children play with sand at the beach. [Photo/xinhuanet.cn]