French yacht captain Godfrey Zwygart said that he sees huge potential for yacht tourism in China, especially in Hainan, over the next 10 years.

"The younger generation cares more about quality holidays and a diverse lifestyle, and will spend generously on marine leisure products," said Zwygart, who has spent more than 10 years helping develop the yacht industry in Sanya.

He said that the zero-tariff policy on yachting products issued by the central government for the Hainan Free Trade Port will greatly reduce the cost of imports and added that he believes this policy will help Sanya grow into a great yacht resort city, given its location, climate, environmental and marine resources.

Sanya's government has issued detailed plans for the use of sea areas, as well as measures promoting water tourism to ensure the high-quality development of marine tourism, said officials with the Sanya Central Business District, a key industrial park in the Hainan FTP, which is focused on cruise and yacht development.

Aiming to become a major hub for yacht trading, spending and green technology development for the Asia Pacific region, Sanya is making great efforts to develop key projects, including the Sanya International Yacht Center, the Nanbianhai International Yacht Wharf and the Sanya Yacht Innovation Service Complex, according to the CBD administration.

Its data shows that the Sanya CDB has attracted 80 companies, including Omnia Marine, Simpson Marine, Moonocean, CTG Cruise and Blue Dream Cruises, which are engaged in the sales, brokerage and services of yachts and cruises, as well as the promotion of marine leisure tourism.