The blueprint outlines ambitious targets for the tropical island, including expanding international passenger air routes past 120 and pushing its global competitiveness ranking among non-archipelago island tourism destinations into the top three.
Strategic Targets for 2035 and Core Development Dimensions
The Hainan Provincial Government held a press conference on August 13 to unpack the details of the blueprint. The framework focuses on the three core dimensions of internationalization, tourism, and consumption to shape the island's unique offerings.
Did You Know? The newly released framework specifically establishes a target for Hainan to operate more than 120 international passenger air routes by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Upgrading Duty-Free Shopping, Healthcare, and Education
To release the energy of tourism integration, the plan establishes three primary consumer pillars by blending tourism with commerce, medical services, and education.
In specialized medical fields, the strategy promotes a combined “traditional Chinese medicine plus international medical care” model to build a distinct health and wellness brand. Meanwhile, the international education sector will lean on a collaborative framework involving mutual academic recognition, shared curricula, and joint administrative management to foster a recognizable studying environment.
Transforming Coastal and High-Tech Tourism Scenarios
Hainan is actively expanding its geographic appeal from localized sights to a fully integrated regional experience. According to official announcements, the island is building five high-end tourism destinations centered on international consumption fashion, ocean-themed culture, mountain-sea connected travel, functional tourism, and deep technology experiences. Director Chen Tiejun noted that the region will foster first-store and premier-exhibition economies alongside traditional cultural gifts.
For marine tourism, the plan maps out three surfing bases, five diving bases, seven sea-fishing bases, and 20 public natural bathing beaches. At the same time, technological sectors including aerospace, deep-sea exploration, seed industry development, and digital applications will fuel new travel formats. Planned projects include aerospace研学 (study tour) bases, the Hainan Aerospace Museum, and the Wenchang Aerospace Tourism Center.
Dual-Core Engines and Regional Clusters
The tourism consumption map is undergoing a structural redesign centered around a dual-core engine comprising Haikou and Sanya. According to the planning documents, Haikou will focus on tourism combined with performing arts to develop into an international performance capital and regional exhibition center. Sanya will leverage its international portal status to drive high-end duty-free retail, launch economies, and cruise yacht industries.
Complementing the main hubs are six distinct regional clusters focusing on Danzhou sports and entertainment, Qionghai Boao medical tourism, Lingshui Li’an international education, Wanning sports, Wenchang aerospace travel, and tropical rainforest cultural tourism. To support these changes, the framework calls for enhanced regulatory oversight of consumer operations, specialized seasonal offerings like cool island products in the summer, and upgraded multilingual consultation and currency exchange services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the visitor volume targets set for the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan?
What is the overarching goal for Hainan by the year 2035?
According to provincial officials, the long-term target is for Hainan to establish itself as a globally influential tourism consumption destination.
How will the island enhance its retail and shopping sector?
¿How do you think the integration of high-tech industries like aerospace will alter the traditional image of tropical island tourism?
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