China Plans to Develop Hainan into Top International Tourism Destination

China plans to build its tropical island of Hainan into the top international tourist destination, in an effort to push forward its economic growth.

The plan is another milestone of Hainan Province, as the only tropical island province in China will be built into a platform for international economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.

Our Reporter Chen Xi will take us for a closer look.

Reporter:

As Disney's project boosts Shanghai tourism development, China has revealed a bigger plan to develop its southern island Hainan Province into the top international destination by 2020.

Speaking in a press conference, Wei Liucheng, Secretary of Communist Party of China Provincial Committee of Hainan Province, reveals the island will develop tourist products and travel routes of international standards.

"Firstly, we should have a plan with an international view, international standards and it should show the local characteristics. Second, we should increase the standard of construction of infrastructure and service facilities of the local tourism industry "

The official also says the service of the tourism industry should also be improved to meet the future tourist flow.

"The management of tourism facilities should meet the international standards, for example, Hainan has already had over 40 five-star hotels and 20 more are under construction, most of which are under management of international brands. In addition, the service standards of the overall tourism industry should reach this standard as well."

Wei Liucheng reveals that Hainan will host Boao International Tourism Forum to promote its tourism. In addition, the province will also introduce a number of duty-free stores to attract more shoppers. A space theme park and a tropical ocean park will be built.

Hu Zucai, director of National Development and Reform Commission, says the Chinese government will provide preferential policies and capital assistance to support Hainan's development.

"We will issue necessary policy support to deepen the reform of Hainan Province, which will help accumulate valuable experience for China's tourism development."
In addition, Hainan's plan also contains policy proposals to implement visa-free entry in order to attract overseas tourists, improving transportation networks, developing logistics, reducing pollution, building more infrastructure facilities.

According to the provincial government, the protection of the island environment during the tourism-devleoping process is also on the agenda.

Chen Xi, CRI News