Hainan aims to become intl tourism consumption center by 2025

An aerial view of the high-end hotel group in Sanya Haitang Bay. [Photo/WeChat account: HainanFTP] 

The General Office of the People's Government of Hainan Province released a five-year action plan on Nov 10, aiming to build the island province into an international tourism consumption center by 2025.

According to the plan, the number of tourists in Hainan will increase from 64.55 million in 2020 to 110 million in 2025.

Hainan aims to create a robust tourism industry focusing on duty-free shopping, international medical care and overseas study industry by 2025. It aims to attract 500,000 overseas medical tourists, bring in 30 billion yuan ($4.69 billion) in international education consumption, and double off-shore duty-free trade.

The province will promote the transformation and upgrading of tourist attractions and create a series of tourist attractions above 4A level. Government departments will support the improvement of travel agencies, scenic spots, hotels, and theaters.

In order to attract foreign tourists, Hainan will set up a multilingual official tourism website and add English signs at important sites.

In addition, the province will introduce policies and measures to facilitate the entry, exit, and stay of foreigners. It will optimize air routes, add Hainan's direct international routes to major passenger sources, and promote the creation of a tourism economic cooperation circle for Southeast Asia.

Hainan will also increase the proportion of mid-to-high-end hotels, introduce leading international hotel brands, and promote the branding, internationalization and high-end development of high-end hotels.

Meanwhile, it will attract professional companies and platforms to help create a series of local-style high-end homestays and guide the development of homestay clusters.