Hainan to open duty-free shops

Nicole Mezzasalma

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The Chinese island province’s State Council hopes to attract tourists with enticing shopping opportunities

The State Council of the island province of Hainan in China has approved the opening of duty-free shops in the cities of Haikou, Sanya, Qionqhai and Wanning this year in a bid to boost tourism, the China Daily newspaper has reported. The island, which has enjoyed preferential policies such as visa-free entry for international tourists, is seen as China’s answer to Hawaii.

Duty-free stores require strict approval procedures in China and most are located at airports, targeted at tourists leaving the country. The 129 duty-free outlets in the country recorded sales of 4.98bn yuan ($712.4m) in 2007, according to the newspaper, and Hainan State Council believes the opening of the stores could increase tourist spend.

Hainan has also launched a multi-stop tour route from London, in partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Cathay Pacific Airways, to attract UK and European tourists. The island received 18.4m visitors in 2007.