Hainan’s Tourism Boom: New Customs Policies Make Global Travel Easier

Published on December 25, 2025

Hainan, as the southernmost island province in China, has been integrated into a national tourism strategy that will allow the province to further enhance its position as the tourism hub of the country. This integration will continue to impact the province’s tourism activity and strategy in a new and unparalleled way, starting with the automation of the province’s customs and passport control, integrated with the beginning of the international travel mart, which begins every two years. Hainan’s new position as the world’s largest and, now, most sophisticated Free Trade Port (FTP) will greatly impact the tourism industry and forecast a more dramatic focus on the region’s international tourism, as well as its international investment integration and partnerships. Hainan’s new position will impact Hainan’s tourism industry and its international partnerships for many years to come.

Hainan’s new customs automation and Hainan’s visa-free access for 86 countries, together, create an environment that will help the province grow its tourism industry. The automation of customs will help facilitate the province’s aims to enhance its tourism industry, particularly with the cruise tourism sector. As a result, the province will significantly enhance its accessibility for tourists.

Changes to Visa and Customs Regulations

Perhaps the most noticeable element in the new customs operations is the easier process for international travelers. Opening the island to a bigger volume of global travelers has meant easier and enhanced visa policies. For example, the visa-waiver agreements for cruise tourists and tour groups have been expanded. Moreover, the island’s easier access to travelers and tourists coming from eighty-six countries without the visa requirement is a game-changing development in attracting tourists from Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and other regions of the world.

This is all intended to position Hainan as the center for international tourism and leisure trade. Hainan’s new customs operates tourism policies to be the most accessible and with the best available travel opportunities. Experts in the industry believe that the new policies will create a more synergistic and collaborative tourism ecosystem and, therefore, will spur new avenues for joint partnerships between foreign tourism operators and local Hainan tourism businesses.

The Value of the China International Travel Mart

Recently opened customs operations in Hainan coincided with the opening of the China International Travel Mart (CITM) 2025, a critical event in the global travel industry. Happening every year in Haikou, the CITM has become a key event in the review of global travel industry trends, investments, and partnerships. This year, the event was noteworthy in that it had the highest attendance in the event’s history, with over 1,000 industry attendees from 101 countries and regions.

The global interest surrounding Hainan as a travel destination was driven by the number of leaders in the global travel industry in attendance. While this year, Thailand was the guest of honor and its representatives featured the potential of promoting and strengthening the travel relationship between Southeast Asia and Hainan, as it was emphasized by attendees, the desire of both parties was emphasized. They expect the potential of “two-way tourism,” where Hainan’s new customs and visa policies will help countries gain more balanced tourist flows and promote coordinated efforts.

Increased Inbound Tourism: Early Signs of Success

Inbound travel to Hainan has increased due to new customs policies. According to the travel platform Qunar, people flying to Haikou from other countries from December 18 to the 2026 Spring Festival have increased 40% from the previous year. This data suggests the new customs travel policies have started to give the island some benefits by attracting people from international destinations.

For tourists like Vika Karenina from Russia, the new policy provided lots of benefits. She enjoyed Sanya’s Duty-Free City because shopping there was hassle-free since there was no tax refund she had to undergo. With various international payment options, shopping was easier for her. She was delighted by the magnificent beaches in Sanya, the customs were easy to travel through, and the shopping was at a duty-free store.

Impact of Hainan’s New Customs Operations on International Travel and Cruise Tourism

Hainan’s new customs operations have particularly impacted cruise tourism. The relaxation of the visa waiver programs for cruise passengers will likely increase the number of international cruise tourists arriving in Hainan. Hainan’s positioning as a primary stopover for international cruise lines will likely be a result of the island’s coastal resorts, scenic beauty, and cultural offerings.

Hainan’s Cruise Line visa waivers will likely lead to an intertwined tourism flows system, not only in Hainan but in the entire region. Tourism investment flows are likely to increase in the region as the tourism experience offerings are tailored to international travelers and Hainan’s tourism infrastructure, especially in tourism support, luxury shopping, and entertainment.

The Outlook for Hainan’s Tourism

The customs and visa policies are the first step in Hainan’s development in the island’s overall tourism strategy and vision. Hainan will expand in tourism and travel internationally. Hainan offers visitors a great combination of beautiful nature, rich culture, and modern amenities. Hainan is and will continue to be a major travel destination.

Hainan tourism will also benefit from Hainan’s position as a Free Trade Port. Hainan will attract investments from global travel companies and foster a range of new opportunities for Hainan’s local businesses. Hainan will offer new global business partnerships and expand Hainan’s Free Trade Port even more. Hainan will help grow the travel industry all over the world.

Hainan’s New Era in Tourism

Hainan’s customs island-wide operations and new visa policies, launching for the island’s tourism industry, are momentous. Hainan will be a major tourist spot in all of China, as it will be far more appealing and accessible to international visitors. Hainan’s tourism policies will increase the number of tourists to the island from all over the world. The new policies and growing international cooperation will make Hainan a world-class tourism center in the coming years.