[Photo by Sha Xiaofeng/Asianewsphoto]

The number of overseas tourists to China's southern island province of Hainan this year has surpassed one million, Hainan Tourism Development Committee said Wednesday.

A total of 56 direct international air routes now link Hainan to destinations including Russia, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Germany. The province plans to operate 100 international routes by 2020, according to Sun Ying, head of the committee.

Sun said Hainan would outline a three year plan to make the island a top-tier destination, with preferential policies such as visa-free services, ticket promotions and upgrades in service quality.

From January to October, Hainan received over 53.4 million tourists, up 12.4 percent from a year ago. Total tourism revenue during the period rose by 25.4 percent to 63.8 billion yuan ($9.6 billion).