Vessels sail on the waters of Sanya Bay in Hainan province on Dec 16, 2025. [Photo/VCG]

Hainan welcomed 434 million domestic and international tourists during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–25). That generated total tourism spending of 854.67 billion yuan ($125.69 billion), according to government data.

Tourists throng to enjoy local food at the night market, near the south gate of Hainan University in Haikou, Hainan province, on May 2, 2026. [Photo/VCG]

The 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–30) will represent a crucial five-year period for the Hainan FTP as it stands on the new chapter of island-wide special customs operations, advancing comprehensive reforms and opening-up to achieve high-quality, leapfrog development.

Fireworks light up the sky during the opening ceremony of the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, Hainan province, on April 22, 2026. [Photo/VCG]

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Hainan will focus on building itself into five key hubs, as a leader in international fashion consumption, a destination for maritime-themed culture and tourism, a regional model for integrated mountain-and-sea tourism, a premier host for specialized functional tourism, and as a flagship center for deep tech-enabled tourism experiences.

Overseas Hainanese visit the Wenchang Space Science Education Center in Wenchang, Hainan province, on April 4, 2026. [Photo/VCG]

The province will strengthen its ties with international and national industry associations, positioning Hainan as a top-recommended destination across global tourism platforms.

People visit Boao Hope City Ever Lasting International Innovation Medicine Exhibition in the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, in Qionghai, Hainan province, on Jan 16, 2026. [Photo/VCG]

Hainan aims to set high industry standards in its flagship developments and fully activate its business entities and platforms to power this next phase of growth.

The 35th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup opens at the Wuyuanhe Gymnasium in Haikou, Hainan province, on Feb 4, 2026. [Photo/VCG]

Moreover, the province will foster a collection of trendy, world-class tourism products in line with international standards. This will help drive the development and upgrading of landmark, pioneering, innovative, and branded tourism projects — to cultivate more "signature credentials" for its international tourism and consumption center.

The Tianlian III-01 satellite launches on a Long March 7A carrier rocket, from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan province, on July 29, 2026. [Photo/VCG]

By 2030, Hainan is projecting to receive annual arrivals of 154 million domestic and international tourists, with total tourist expenditure reaching 363 billion yuan, offshore duty-free shopping sales exceeding 50 billion yuan, and inbound foreign tourist numbers hitting 3.5 million.

Customers shop at the Haikou International Duty Free City Shopping Complex on April 19, 2026. [Photo/VCG]

Through these measures, Hainan aims to pioneer a high-quality development path for a tourism-and-consumption-driven economy, establishing itself as a vital intersection for China's "dual circulation" economic strategy, a key gateway for the nation's opening-up in the new era, and as a vibrant chapter in the province's modernization journey.