[Photo/2025 Hainan Free Trade Port Investment Guide]

Hainan is accelerating the construction of an international tourism consumption center, focusing on the development of specialized tourism industry clusters, building the Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway and Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, and continuing to improve the quality and internationalization of tourism in Hainan.

The island's tourism sector achieved a record growth in 2024, welcoming 97.2 million visits, up 8 percent year-on-year, and generating 204 billion yuan ($28.35 billion) in tourism revenue, up 12.5 percent year-on-year. International arrivals surged 115.6 percent year-on-year to over 1.1 million trips, demonstrating its strong global appeal.

Hainan's tourism industry is developing through a dual focus on traditional and emerging sectors. Traditional tourism sectors continue to form the foundation of the island's tourism economy, including accommodation, attractions and scenic areas, cultural tourism, passenger aviation, and tourist transportation.

Meanwhile, Hainan is actively cultivating new tourism sectors to diversify its offerings and enhance its international appeal, particularly through cruise tourism, recreational vehicle camping, sports tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) tourism, medical tourism, and yacht tourism.

The Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway, stretching 988.2 kilometers along the island's 1,944 km coastline, connects 12 coastal cities and counties, providing enhanced access to Hainan FTP's natural beauty and cultural landmarks. The Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, one of China's first national parks, plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation, offering the largest contiguous tropical rainforest in the country.

Hainan FTP has become a hub for cultural, sports, and tourism integration, driving economic growth. Major international events like the Hainan International Film Festival and Hainan Golf Open have raised the region's global profile, while theme parks such as Atlantis Water World in Sanya and Changying Universal 100 Fantasy Park in Haikou add diverse attractions. The cruise and yacht sector has also flourished, with yacht registrations increasing, fueled by policies supporting high-end leisure tourism.

Hainan FTP's duty-free shopping is a major draw, with over 500,000 square meters of duty-free stores and sales exceeding 180 billion yuan from 2019-2024. Haikou International Duty-Free City, the world's largest single duty-free store, exemplifies the region's retail strength. The 100,000 yuan shopping quota per person per year and a wide range of products like electronics and cosmetics attract both domestic and international visitors. The flexible duty-free policy for outlying islands has further boosted interest.

The region's visa-free access policy for 59 countries, allowing stays of up to 30 days, enhances its appeal as a global tourism hub. This, combined with zero tariffs on imported transport equipment, including yachts and amusement rides, supports the development of tourism and transportation sectors.

Hainan FTP also boasts over 100 high-end international hotel brands, such as Atlantis and Capella, which maintain high occupancy rates, reinforcing its luxury destination status. Commercial developments like Haikou Mixc and Sanya Haitang Bay Mixc City have become major shopping hot spots, driving the growth of the retail sector.

In addition to tourism, mid-to high-end specialty consumption has grown, fueled by international brands and an expanding retail market. The "duty-free +" model integrates shopping with cultural, sports, and leisure activities, offering a comprehensive tourism experience.

Hainan FTP's unique advantages — tax exemptions, visa-free access, world-class infrastructure, and a growing luxury retail sector — position it as a leading tourism destination in Asia and globally. With continued investment, Hainan FTP's tourism industry is poised for sustained growth, attracting visitors from around the world and solidifying its status as a premier global destination.

Sources: en.hnftp.gov.cn and 2025 Hainan Free Trade Port Investment Guide