China’s Hainan Free Trade Port readies for record Spring Festival rush

China’s tropical island province of Hainan is preparing for a record Spring Festival travel rush this year, driven by favorable winter weather and the launch of an island-wide special customs operation. Authorities expect more than 22 million passenger trips during the six-week travel period from February 2 to March 13, up 5 percent year on year, with ferry traffic projected to rise by over 10 percent and air travel by 3.7 percent, both reaching seasonal highs. The new customs operation, introduced in December, has significantly boosted inbound tourism, with foreign arrivals jumping 46 percent year on year in its first month, nearly half entering visa-free under an expanded policy covering 86 countries. Tourist numbers from major Western countries have posted strong growth, and the island welcomed more than 2.17 million visitors during the three-day New Year holiday alone. To accommodate the influx, Hainan has scheduled 165 festive events across the province, highlighting local culture, cuisine and coastal attractions during the Lunar New Year period.

Credit : CGTN