Guide to application for approval for establishment of travel agencies

en.hainan.gov.cn

Updated: 2026-06-17

This guide provides essential information on applying for approval to establish a travel agency in Hainan.

Basic requirements
The applicant shall complete the application truthfully in accordance with the requirements set out in the Tourism Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulation on Travel Agencies, the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Regulation on Travel Agencies and the Provisions of Hainan Special Economic Zone on the Administration of Travel Agencies, and shall assume corresponding legal responsibility. Application materials shall be complete, accurate and submitted in the prescribed form.

Prior to applying for a Travel Agency Business Operation License, the applicant shall obtain an Enterprise Legal Person Business License, and its approved business scope shall include the travel agency business.

The travel agency shall have registered capital of no less than 300,000 yuan ($44,300).

The travel agency shall employ the necessary management personnel and tour guides.

The term "necessary management personnel" refers to managers and tour operation personnel with experience in the travel agency industry.

The term "necessary tour guides" refers to tour guides who hold valid tour guide certificates, whose electronic tour guide registration status is normal, who are currently registered with travel agencies or industry organizations in Hainan, and who have entered into fixed-term or open-ended employment contracts with the travel agency. The number of such tour guides shall account for no less than 20 percent of the total number of employees and shall not be fewer than three.

The travel agency shall have fixed business premises:
1. The premises shall be either business premises owned by the applicant or leased premises with a lease term of no less than one year;
2. The premises shall meet the operational needs of the travel agency.

The travel agency shall have the necessary business facilities, including:
1. No fewer than two fixed-line telephone numbers;
2. Fax and photocopying facilities;
3. Computer equipment capable of connecting with the tourism administrative authority and other tourism operators.

The applicant applying to establish a travel agency in Hainan province shall complete their business registration in accordance with the law and obtain a Travel Agency Business Operation License. The name of the enterprise shall include the words "travel agency".

Application materials must be submitted through the National Tourism Supervision Service Platform.

Required materials
1. Application form for establishment of a travel agency;
2. Business license;
3. Articles of association;
4. Identification documents of the legal representative;
5. Resume of the legal representative;
6. Certificate of immovable property ownership;
7. House lease certificate;
8. Lease agreement;
9. Information on the business facilities and equipment;
10. On-site photographs of the business premises;
11. Employment contracts of tour guides proposed to be assigned to the travel agency in accordance with the establishment requirements;
12. Tour guide certificates of tour guides proposed to be assigned to the travel agency in accordance with the establishment requirements;
13. Resumes of the management personnel.

Where to submit your application
1. Sanya
Authority: Sanya Municipal Business Environment Development Bureau (Sanya Municipal Administrative Approval Service Bureau)
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-noon and 3:00 pm-6:00 pm (except public holidays)
Contact: 0898-38860176
Click here for more details.

2. Danzhou
Authority: Danzhou Municipal Business Environment Construction Bureau
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am-noon and 2:30 pm-5:30 pm (except public holidays)
Contact: 0898-23837302, 0898-28810950
Click here for more details.

3. Qionghai
Authority: Qionghai Municipal Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am-noon and 2:30 pm-5:30 pm (except public holidays)
Contact: 0898-62925816
Click here for more details.