Changdao Island, a famous scenic spot of Yantai, Shandong province has been honored as one of the 20 favorite island tour destinations?for Chinese tourists in 2015.

The news was announced at the 2015 International Islands Tourism Conference in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province on Oct 13. The conference was organized by China's National Tourism Administration and the provincial government of Zhejiang with a purpose of enhancing cooperation among island countries and regions and boosting the sustainable development of island tourism.

Beautiful scenery of Changdao Island in Yantai, Shandong province [Photo/JiaoDong.ent]

A report focusing on the development of global island tourism said China is the largest outbound island tourism market in the world. In 2014, 24 million Chinese tourists traveled to foreign islands. The number is expected to touch 30 million this year.

"China is emphasizing the development of its marine economy and island tourism will be an important part of the strategy," said Li Shihong, deputy director of State National Tourism Administration.

Beautiful scenery of Changdao Island in Yantai, Shandong province [Photo/JiaoDong.ent]

The 20 listed islands include China's Taiwan, Sanya, Zhoushan, Gulang Island and Changdao Island, Maldives, Bali Island in Indonesia, Phuket Island in Thailand, Hawaii in the US, Whitsundays in Australia, South Island in New Zealand, Palm Island in Dubai, Sri Lanka, Sabah in Malaysia, Tahiti in French Polynesia, Santorini in Greece, Seychelles, Okinawa in Japan, Jeju Island in South Korea and Cook Islands.

Edited by Shahnawaz Akhtar