(Yicai  Global) Dec. 6 -- One of the key tourist hotspots on Hainan, China's  southerly island province, aims to grow its number of visitors by more  than one-quarter next year.

Authorities  in the seaside city of Sanya aim to attract 900,000 tourists in 2019,  27 percent more than this year, local newspaper The Hainan Daily  reported yesterday. The number of travelers increased 14 percent  annually to 646,000 in the first 10 months of this year. 

The  city's government aims to divide the market into segments next year,  and bolster competitiveness through fully exploiting resources in  culture, science and technology, sports and sporting events and  conventions as well as exhibitions.

The  city also plans to add 15 overseas air routes, linking it with  Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam Netherlands, Los Angeles, Manila, Bangkok  and Kuala Lumpur among others. 

China's  national government extended 30-day visa-free stays on the island,  dubbed 'China's Hawaii,' to 59 countries in May from 29 previously as  part of efforts to boost accessibility to visitors.