The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has welcomed the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports of Hainan Province as a new Destination Partner, strengthening cooperation between the global Travel & Tourism body and one of China’s emerging international tourism destinations.
Located in China’s southernmost tropical island province, Hainan is positioning itself as a gateway for international tourism, consumption and economic cooperation. Its tourism development is being supported by the establishment of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), launched in 2020 as a major national strategic initiative aimed at promoting greater openness, investment, trade facilitation and international connectivity.
Tourism at the Centre of Hainan’s Development Strategy
Tourism is a central component of Hainan’s long-term development strategy. Through the development of the Hainan International Tourism and Consumption Centre, the province is seeking to strengthen its position as a globally recognised destination by expanding tourism attractions and products while developing maritime cruise and yacht tourism, cultural experiences and sports tourism.
As part of its development vision, Hainan has set an ambitious target of welcoming 154 million domestic and international visitors by 2030. The province is also seeking to diversify its tourism offerings and develop experiences linked to its tropical environment, coastline and growing international connectivity.
Hainan Builds on Longstanding WTTC Relationship
The new Destination Partnership builds on an established relationship between Hainan and WTTC. Hainan previously hosted the WTTC Global Summit in 2014, providing the destination with an opportunity to engage with tourism leaders and international industry stakeholders through WTTC’s global platform. Through its new partnership, Hainan aims to deepen engagement with international Travel & Tourism leaders, enhance its global destination branding and explore opportunities to host future WTTC events and industry dialogues.
WTTC Highlights Hainan’s International Tourism Potential
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, welcomed Hainan to the council, highlighting the province’s development vision and its focus on tourism growth, international connectivity and openness. Guevara said Hainan’s previous experience hosting the WTTC Global Summit demonstrated its commitment to international tourism cooperation, while the new partnership would provide an opportunity to further strengthen its position within the global tourism industry. She also described Hainan as an increasingly prominent tourism destination in Asia, with the province combining ambitious tourism development plans with efforts to expand its international connections.
Hainan Highlights Free Trade Port and New Tourism Experiences
Chen Tiejun, Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, said the province was pleased to join WTTC and described Hainan as a tropical island destination known for its rainforests, coastlines and resort offerings. According to Chen, the opportunities created by the Hainan Free Trade Port and the province’s expanding visa-free entry policy are helping Hainan strengthen its global connectivity.
He also highlighted the development of distinctive tourism experiences in areas including marine tourism, wellness tourism and space tourism. Chen said Hainan looks forward to working with WTTC and its global partners to enhance the province’s international tourism profile, deepen industry cooperation and create additional opportunities for international travellers to visit the destination.
Focus on International Connectivity and Tourism Development
Hainan’s Destination Partnership with WTTC comes as the province continues to position tourism as an important component of its economic and international development agenda. The province’s tourism strategy combines its tropical natural resources with investment, trade and connectivity opportunities associated with the Free Trade Port.
The development of cruise and yacht tourism, wellness, cultural and sports tourism is intended to broaden the range of experiences available to domestic and international visitors. The partnership with WTTC is expected to provide Hainan with greater engagement with global tourism businesses, governments and destination leaders, while creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and international collaboration.
WTTC Strengthens Destination Network
WTTC represents the private sector of the global Travel & Tourism industry, bringing together senior leaders from hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, technology companies and destinations. The council works with governments and industry stakeholders to promote sustainable growth, support policy development and highlight the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism.
With Hainan joining as a Destination Partner, the province becomes part of WTTC’s international network of destinations and tourism stakeholders, creating a platform for further cooperation on global tourism development, destination promotion and industry engagement.
