Hainan, ‘China’s Hawaii’, rolls out events and coupons to catch domestic travel boom during Labour Day holiday
- Authorities and businesses have rolled out new attractions, services and sales for the holiday
- The island province, seen as an alternative to Southeast Asia, saw a 15 per cent month-on-month increase in long-haul bookings in March, an agency said
The government and businesses in Hainan launched events, promotions and optimised products and services to capitalise on a boom in domestic travel and consumption during mainland China’s Labour Day holiday, as long-haul travel bookings to the tropical island grew 15 times month on month.
Businesses also geared up to welcome consumers, they told the Post. Sanya Duty Free Shopping Complex launched lucky draws for individuals who spend more than 15,100 yuan (US$2,182) and also increased transport services within the compound and to certain surrounding areas, said parent company China Duty Free Group. The complex became the largest single duty-free shop globally in terms of sales value in the first quarter.
Fosun Group’s Atlantis Sanya luxury resort has upgraded its food and catering offerings, as early bookings occupied 90 per cent of the rooms even before the start of the holiday season.
The measures come as the island, often compared to Hawaii, evolves into one of the top tourist destinations in the world’s second-largest economy. Local governments are trying to tap pent-up demand among Chinese consumers after the country suffered through Covid-19 lockdowns and infections until China’s reopening late last year.
With boosting consumption high on Beijing’s priority list for the year, the measures by Hainan and businesses there shed light on increasing efforts at the local level to take advantage of one of the best windows of opportunity for so-called revenge consumption, analysts said.
