Vouchers boost duty-free sales in Hainan

The total sales revenue of offshore duty-free shops in Hainan hit 32.396 billion yuan ($4.47 billion) in the first half of 2023, up 31 percent year-on-year, according to data released by the Hainan Provincial Department of Commerce on Tuesday.

Out of the total sales, duty-free sales reached 26.484 billion yuan, with an annual increase of 26 percent. The number of duty-free shoppers totaled 5.166 million, up 34 percent year-on-year. And 25.68 million duty-free goods were purchased, with an annual increase of 5.8 percent, said the department.

During the period, Hainan distributed nearly 200 million yuan worth of consumption vouchers to fully support duty-free and cultural and tourism consumption, aiming at boosting the rapid recovery and expansion of the province's consumer market.

Hainan now boasts 12 duty-free shops, covering major tourist cities in the south, north and east of the island. Previously tourists from outside of Hainan could pick up their goods in the designated areas of airports, railway stations or wharfs, or choose delivery to their door. But since April, Hainan has added two methods for picking up offshore duty-free goods - "guaranteed pick-up" and "buy and pick-up", which makes it more convenient for buyers. Customers who choose these two methods are required to leave the province within 30 days from the date of purchase.

Hainan launched the second International duty-free shopping festival on Tuesday. During the two-month festival, Haikou, Sanya, Wanning and Qionghai cities will interact with the province's offshore duty-free shops, and organize more than 30 themed promotional events across Hainan.