Hainan, China's southmost province, recently announced a plan to develop the yachting industry as part of its efforts to turn the island into a top international tourist destination by 2020.

According to a plan released by the Hainan provincial government the island has long term plans to build nine yacht harbors in addition to four yacht harbors that are being built in the short term. Ultimately these harbors will have a total of 1,100 yacht berths.

According to figures released by the Haikou Customs, just eight yachts visited Hainan in 2009, while the number jumped to 64 in 2010.

In the meantime, Hainan has been improving the guidance of the yachting sector and is hoping to contribute more to the development of the sector.