On August 20， the Weibo topic “Sanya Tourist Feels Unwell and Sits on Beach Lounger， Promptly Asked to Pay” trended， attracting significant attention.
According to media reports， a tourist on Sanya’s Xidao Island felt unwell and sat on a lounger to rest. A staff member， wearing an identification badge， repeatedly urged the tourist to pay， stating the charge was “one yuan per minute， 60 yuan per hour.”
In response， Sanya Xidao issued a statement via its WeChat official account. It clarified that the “charging loungers” reported by the media are located in a paid service area. Compared to other free rest areas within the scenic spot， this area offers value-added services such as exclusive beach chairs， umbrellas， and dedicated area maintenance. The charging standard is 60 yuan for the first hour (or less)， 100 yuan for one to two hours， with a daily cap of 150 yuan. Prominent signage indicating these charges is present on-site.
Regarding the issue of free rest facilities mentioned by the tourist， the scenic spot stated that free public resting areas are available in areas such as along the beach， walking paths， and near the visitor center.
The scenic spot further indicated that they will fully absorb feedback from tourists and increase efforts to develop more public resting areas. In response to complaints about “excessively high charges for rental loungers，” the scenic spot has tasked relevant departments with conducting a special evaluation and will make appropriate adjustments based on the situation.
Analysis and Context:
This incident highlights a common point of friction in popular tourist destinations: the management of paid amenities versus the expectation of free services. Sanya， as a renowned beach resort， attracts a large number of visitors， and the provision of comfort and convenience often comes at a price. The scenic spot’s explanation of offering “value-added services” suggests an attempt to differentiate its paid offerings. However， the perception of being “charged per minute” or facing immediate demands for payment can be off-putting， especially if the distinction between paid and free areas is not immediately clear to the tourist.
The response from Sanya Xidao， promising to increase public resting areas and review pricing， indicates an acknowledgment of public sentiment and a willingness to adapt. This approach is crucial for maintaining a positive visitor experience and reputation. The key challenge for such attractions is balancing the revenue generation from paid services with the need to provide accessible and adequate free facilities for all visitors， particularly those who may be experiencing discomfort or illness and are seeking immediate relief.
Ultimately， clear signage， transparent pricing structures， and well-maintained free rest zones are vital for preventing such incidents and ensuring tourist satisfaction. Effective communication and customer service from staff are also paramount in managing visitor expectations and fostering a welcoming environment.
