Hainan, China's southern island province, is making waves in the global tourism and economic landscape. A recent tour by journalists from nine major overseas media outlets, including the United States, France, Türkiye, Spain, and the Republic of Korea, showcased the region's dynamic "ocean economy" and its strategic development under the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). The delegation visited key cities such as Haikou, Wanning, Lingshui, and Sanya, exploring marine cultural tourism, ecological conservation, and innovative consumer models.
The timing of the tour is significant. As 2026 marks the first full year after island-wide special customs operations were implemented, Hainan has designated this year as "Marine Tourism Year." This initiative leverages policy dividends like visa-free access for citizens of 86 countries, expanded traffic rights, and offshore duty-free shopping. The results are impressive: in the first half of 2026 alone, Hainan welcomed over 1 million inbound visits, a 48.8% year-on-year increase, signaling robust growth in the tourism sector.
One of the highlights for the media group was Riyue Bay in Wanning, a world-class surfing destination that attracts over 500,000 visitors annually. Here, they witnessed the expansion of coastal sports, including the nation's first Olympic-standard artificial surf pool, which uses advanced technology to simulate 23 different wave types, enabling year-round surfing. Mr. Guney Isik Ganimgil, a contributor to Turkey's Aydınlık newspaper, expressed surprise at Hainan's cultural tourism development, noting its immense investment potential.
Ecological conservation is a cornerstone of Hainan's approach. The Hainan Ocean Paradise Resort has a strict no-capture policy for wild marine life and its rescue center has rehabilitated and released over 200 rare creatures, including sea turtles and hawksbills. Wuzhizhou Island has pioneered an eco-tourism model, partnering with universities to develop a tropical marine ranch. By deploying artificial reefs and transplanting tens of thousands of coral colonies, the island offers visitors hands-on coral transplantation experiences, creating a virtuous cycle between conservation and tourism.
Cultural integration is also revitalizing traditional maritime heritage. The Danjia fishing rafts continue to enrich their authentic marine-ethnic offerings, while Tianya Town, built around a century-old fishing village, has become a coastal leisure hub with nearly a hundred boutique homestays and specialty cafés. The Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex, housing over 1,000 international brands, introduces "duty-free + technology" scenarios. Additionally, the Sanya Yacht Tourism Center, with a complete industrial chain, recorded over 220,000 yacht outings in 2025, solidifying its status as a premier destination for high-end coastal tourism.
After four days of exploration, the delegation witnessed a Hainan that is open, green, and dynamic. Today's Hainan FTP has transcended traditional seaside tourism, using policy as a backbone, ecology as a canvas, and culture as a soul. By continually energizing the blue economy, Hainan is presenting a compelling vision of high-quality development to the world.
