China has launched island-wide customs operations in Hainan, aligning with CITM 2025 and driving increased inbound travel, visa-free access and growing international tourism engagement.
China has launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port, a policy shift that coincided with the opening of the China International Travel Mart (CITM) 2025 and is reshaping tourism cooperation, investment and visitor flows.
The new customs operations came into effect on December 18, as global tourism industry representatives gathered in Hainan for the annual travel trade event. The policy applies across the island and is part of the broader development of Hainan as a free trade port.
The introduction of the new customs framework aligned with the opening of CITM 2025 in Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, on December 19. The three-day event attracted more than 1,000 tourism businesses and representatives from 101 countries and regions, marking the highest level of international participation recorded by the organizers.
According to industry participants, the expected increase in tourism cooperation is supported by Hainan’s existing entry policies, including visa-free access for travelers from 86 countries, as well as expanded visa-waiver arrangements for cruise passengers and organized tour groups. Combined with the island-wide customs operations, these measures position Hainan as a platform for international tourism partnerships.
Thailand, the guest of honor at this year’s China International Travel Mart, highlighted the broader impact of the policy changes. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that “two-way tourism” would play a central role in future growth, indicating that Hainan’s development could support more balanced visitor flows and joint destination marketing initiatives.
Jan Vislocky of Slovakia’s Vislocky Travel said: “Hainan’s customs operations make it easier for us to engage directly with the Chinese market,”highlighting improved access for international tourism businesses.
Inbound travel to Hainan has increased following the introduction of the new customs regime. Data from travel platform Qunar shows that international flight bookings to Haikou from the Christmas period through the 2026 Spring Festival holiday have risen by more than 40 percent compared with the same period last year.
Visitors are already experiencing changes on the ground. Vika Karenina, a tourist from Russia, said that the availability of international payment options and the absence of a tax refund process simplified her shopping experience at Sanya’s duty free city.
Vika Karenina said: “I’ve really enjoyed the sun and beach on this visit to Sanya, and the timing was perfect to experience duty-free shopping — it was the most delightful surprise of my trip,” speaking on December 18 at the Sanya International Duty Free Complex.
She added: “The whole shopping experience was as smooth as clearing customs. Next time, I’m bringing my family.”