100 days in: Hainan's tourism thrives under special customs policy

On March 27, the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) marks the 100th day since the launch of its island-wide special customs operations. During the first quarter of full implementation, Hainan's cultural and tourism sectors have demonstrated steady visitor flows and notable consumption upgrades.  

While March is traditionally considered a low season for travel, Hainan has effectively sustained tourist demand by leveraging its unique climate advantages and continuously unlocking policy dividends. According to data from Tongcheng Travel, between December 18, 2025 and March 17, 2026, bookings for high-end hotels in Hainan increased by over 20% year-on-year, while ticket bookings for scenic spots rose by more than 15% during the same period. Popular attractions such as Wuzhizhou Island, Nanshan Culture Tourism Zone and Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark continued to see strong reservation numbers.

Since the implementation of the special customs operations, Hainan's tourism industry has accelerated its transformation toward high-quality, immersive and personalized experiences. High-star accommodation and in-depth experiential offerings have gained increasing favor among travelers. Travel platforms are also optimizing their products and services to help visitors more conveniently enjoy the benefits brought by the FTP policies.