Hainan joins WTTC as Destination Partner - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

China’s island province of Hainan has joined the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) as a Destination Partner. The agreement brings the province’s Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports into closer cooperation with international tourism companies and destinations represented by the organisation.

The partnership comes as Hainan seeks to expand its role as an international tourism and consumption hub. Tourism is a central component of the province’s long-term development strategy, supported by the Hainan Free Trade Port and policies designed to facilitate investment, trade and international connectivity.

Hainan targets 154 million visitors by 2030

Hainan has set itself the goal of receiving 154 million domestic and international visitors annually by 2030. To achieve this, the province is developing its tourism infrastructure and broadening its range of products for both Chinese and overseas travellers.

Priorities include traditional leisure tourism as well as cruise and yacht travel, cultural tourism and sports. Hainan is also seeking to develop more specialised segments, including marine, wellness and space tourism.

The province is China’s southernmost region and its only tropical island province. Its tourism industry combines extensive coastlines and beach resorts with tropical rainforest and an expanding range of leisure and recreational facilities.

Free Trade Port supports international expansion

An important element of Hainan’s development is the Hainan Free Trade Port, established in 2020 as a major national economic initiative. Its regulatory framework is intended to increase economic openness, attract investment and facilitate international trade.

For tourism, the strategy is closely linked to improving international accessibility and encouraging consumption by overseas visitors. Hainan is also expanding visa-free entry opportunities as part of efforts to attract more international travellers.

The province is developing the Hainan International Tourism and Consumption Centre as part of this strategy, combining destination development with retail, hospitality, entertainment and other tourism-related services.

Partnership builds on 2014 WTTC Summit

Hainan and WTTC already have a history of cooperation. The province hosted the WTTC Global Summit in 2014, bringing international tourism executives and industry representatives to the island.

As a Destination Partner, Hainan now intends to deepen its contacts with international tourism companies and industry leaders, strengthen its destination profile outside China and explore opportunities to host future WTTC events and industry meetings.

“Hainan has established a clear vision for the future of Travel & Tourism, combining ambitious tourism development goals with greater international connectivity and openness,” says Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO. She adds that the province is continuing to strengthen its position in Asian tourism.

Marine, wellness and space tourism in focus

Hainan also sees the partnership as an opportunity to promote tourism segments that extend beyond its established beach and resort business.

“As China’s only tropical island province, Hainan is a world-class island destination, renowned for its pristine tropical rainforests, spectacular coastlines and high-quality resort offerings,” says Chen Tiejun, Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province.

According to Chen, the combination of the Free Trade Port, expanding visa-free entry and improved international connectivity is creating opportunities to develop distinctive products in marine, wellness and space tourism.

Through its cooperation with WTTC, Hainan now aims to increase international industry partnerships while attracting a larger share of overseas visitors to the island.

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