As global tourism recovers, Hainan leads the way

International tourist arrivals have shown a steady recovery with May figures reaching 89 percent of the same period of pre-pandemic 2019, according to Harry Hwang, director of the Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific at UN Tourism.

He made the announcement during the ninth Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities Forum, themed "Open Cooperation and Innovative Development for Sustainable Tourism", which took place in Sanya, Hainan province, on Thursday.

Hwang stressed the significance of the Asia-Pacific region seizing the moment by fine-tuning visa policies and bolstering regional tourism collaboration to draw in more visitors. This proactive approach not only fosters the growth of the tourism sector but also sparks the prosperity of associated industries, infusing fresh energy into the regional economy, he said.

Cho Jaedong, director-general of the TPO secretariat, added: "Let us leverage our collective expertise to create new opportunities for sustainable tourism. This is not just about sharing ideas. It's about taking concrete actions that will have a lasting impact on our cities, our communities and our environment."

So far this year, Sanya has made progress in the inbound tourism market with the opening of 16 new international flight routes and the welcoming of more than 400,000 inbound tourists.

"This surge in tourism can be attributed to the city's innovative approach, including pioneering the use of online platforms such as Hainan TrustTour and Hainan HiePay, which have garnered praise from both domestic and international visitors," said Zhang Hao, deputy director-general of the Sanya Tourism Board.

In a bid to enhance payment convenience for foreign visitors, Hainan introduced "Hainan HiePay" in March, which allows visitors to use credit cards such as UnionPay, VISA, MasterCard and others. It encompasses a wide range of facilities and services, including accommodations, transportation, shopping and entertainment, providing a seamless and convenient experience.

Kim Dong-Hoon, director of Busan Metropolitan City, highlighted the potential for collaboration between Busan and Sanya in the film industry and noted that both cities host film festivals. By leveraging their respective strengths and resources, Busan and Sanya can work together to further develop and promote the industry, fostering mutual growth, cultural exchanges and tourism between the two cities, Kim said.