SANYA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The passenger throughput of Sanya Phoenix International Airport hit a record 20 million in 2018, as the tropical resort strives to become an international tourism center.

Sanya, a coastal city in south China's Hainan Province, is estimated to have hosted more than 20 million tourists in the same year as well.

The Phoenix airport's record throughput is of remarkable significance as Hainan was approved in April to build a pilot free trade zone covering the whole island and explore the establishment of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics, said Yang Xiaobin, president of Sanya Phoenix International Airport.

Inaugurated in 1994, the Phoenix airport has seen rapid growth of passenger throughput, which hit 10 million in 2011 thanks to the resort's global attraction. In 2018, the airport had 11 new regional and international routes.

A construction project to expand the airport was completed in 2018 to ensure it is capable of handling 20 to 25 million passengers annually.