Global Media Dive into Hainan's Ocean Economy, Spotlighting Free Trade Port's New Vitality

Hainan, China's southern island province, is making waves in the global tourism and economic landscape as it leverages its Free Trade Port (FTP) status to invigorate its ocean economy. A recent media tour, featuring journalists from the United States, France, Türkiye, Spain, and the Republic of Korea, offered a firsthand look at the region's rapid development in marine cultural tourism, ecological conservation, and innovative consumer models.

The visit, spanning Haikou, Wanning, Lingshui, and Sanya, came at a pivotal time. 2026 marks the first full year following the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan FTP, and it has been designated as the 'Marine Tourism Year.' With strategic policy advantages, including visa-free access for citizens of 86 countries and expanded traffic rights, Hainan has seen a surge in international visitors. In the first half of the year, inbound visits exceeded 1 million, a 48.8% year-on-year increase, highlighting the robust growth of the FTP's tourism sector.

One of the highlights of the tour was Wanning's Riyue Bay, a world-class surfing destination that attracts over 500,000 visitors annually. The media group experienced the nation's first Olympic-standard artificial surf pool, which uses advanced technology to simulate 23 wave types, allowing for year-round surfing regardless of natural conditions. Mr. Guney Isik Ganimgil, a contributor to Turkey's Aydınlık newspaper, expressed that Hainan's cultural tourism development 'far exceeded expectations' and holds significant investment potential.

Eco-empowered tourism and the protection of blue bays are central to Hainan's development strategy. The Hainan Ocean Paradise Resort strictly adheres to a policy against capturing wild marine life, and its rescue center has rehabilitated and released over 200 rare marine creatures, including sea turtles and hawksbills. Meanwhile, Wuzhizhou Island has pioneered an eco-tourism model, partnering with universities to develop a tropical marine ranch. Through the deployment of artificial reefs and the transplantation of tens of thousands of coral colonies, the island offers visitors the chance to participate in coral transplantation, fostering a cycle of conservation and tourism that earned high praise from the attending media.

The integration of culture and tourism has also revitalized Hainan's traditional maritime heritage. The Danjia fishing rafts continue to enrich their authentic marine-ethnic cultural offerings, while Tianya Town, built around a century-old fishing village, has become a coastal leisure landmark with nearly a hundred boutique homestays and specialty cafés. The Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex, housing over 1,000 international brands, has introduced cutting-edge 'duty-free + technology' consumption scenarios. Additionally, the Sanya Yacht Tourism Center, with a complete industrial chain, recorded over 220,000 yacht outings in 2025, cementing its status as a premier destination for high-end coastal tourism.

After four days of in-depth exploration, the media delegation witnessed a Hainan that is open, green, and vibrantly dynamic. Today's Hainan FTP has transcended the traditional model of seaside tourism, with policy as its backbone, ecology as its canvas, and culture as its soul. By continually energizing the blue economy, Hainan is presenting a compelling new vision of high-quality development to the world.