At the recent China International Consumer Products Expo, industry experts released the 2025 Hainan Travel Retail White Paper, detailing how policy innovation and booming tourism are reshaping this island province into a global retail hotspot.
Key insights from the report include:
- Tourism Boom: 97.21 million visits (+8%), 204 billion yuan revenue (+12.5%), and 1.11 million inbound tourists (+115.6%).
- Youth-Led Demand: Over half of visitors are born in the 1990s and 2000s, fuelling sales of cosmetics, skincare, luxury goods and electronics.
- Policy Innovations: New measures under the free trade port framework enhance the business environment and level the playing field for global brands.
- Duty-Free Evolution: From traditional storefronts to experiential hubs, Hainan's retail landscape is undergoing dynamic shifts.
The findings show that Hainan's strategy blends institutional reforms with experiential shopping, tapping into the spending power of a young, tech-savvy crowd. With over 1,700 exhibitors and 4,100 brands from 70+ countries and regions at the expo, Hainan's free trade port framework is capturing global attention.
Whether you're a startup founder, a sustainable travel advocate or a trend-watcher, Hainan's rapid evolution offers a case study in how targeted policies and vibrant youth markets can transform a destination. As the island continues to boost domestic high-spending tourism and overseas visits, its role as a nexus for retail and tourism looks set to strengthen even further.
Reference(s):
White paper shows Hainan's evolution into global retail tourism hub
cgtn.com
