Hainan to open offshore duty-free shops in Haikou and Qionghai

Hainan province plans to release a construction and implementation program of an international tourism consumption center in the next half year to promote opening of offshore duty-free shops in Haikou and Qionghai, according to a provincial government plenary session held on July 11.

According to Fu Xuanchao, director of the Development and Reform Commission of Hainan Province, Hainan will also unveil fresh policies on building the pilot free trade zone and free trade port, innovation-driven development, and an innovative talent system and mechanism in the second half of this year. All the moves are aimed at improving reform and opening up policies and putting them into practice as soon as possible. 

Besides duty-free shops, the Tourism Commission of Hainan Province revealed that the island province will also attract world brand cruise companies and hotels to start business in Hainan. More international air routes will be developed on the basis of a visa-free public service platform and a favorable subsidy mechanism for travel agencies.

Fu said that duty-free shopping in Hainan from January to June saw continuous growth. More than 1.47 million consumers spent 5.29 billion yuan ($792.4 million) on 7.03 million products, with increases of 22.6 percent, 24.1 percent and 32.2 percent respectively.  

At present, Hainan has two offshore duty-free shops, one in Haikou and the other in Sanya.