Cover News:

Hainan has abundant tourism resources that are attractive to both domestic and international tourists. How will Hainan further enhance the quality of its tourism services and improve visitor experiences? Thank you.

Xie Jing:

The tourism industry is one of Hainan's four pillar industries. Last year, Hainan saw a year-on-year increase of 49.9% in domestic and international tourist arrivals and a surge of 71.9% in its total tourism revenue, both reaching record highs. Hainan emerged as one of the provinces with the fastest recovery of the tourism market following the COVID-19 pandemic. During this year's Spring Festival, tourist arrivals and total tourism revenue increased by 48.8% and 62.7%, respectively, both setting historical records. The tourism sector has maintained good momentum, turning the traditional "Golden Week" into a prolonged "golden season."

The soaring popularity of tourism in Hainan is a testament to the deep affection that numerous tourists hold for the region. This is something we must cherish and protect with more efforts. We will implement stronger measures to showcase Hainan tourism as a landmark feature of the FTP. Our efforts will focus on the following three aspects:

First, we will concentrate on developing an international tourism consumption center by leveraging the supply side. This year, we will launch an intensive campaign to improve international tourism consumption. We will plan a series of iconic projects to create more tourist attractions and enhance tourism consumption scenarios. Additionally, we will upgrade our tourism infrastructure, continuously expand the capacity of airports and seaports, and provide tourists with a wider range of choices and improved experiences.

Second, we will strengthen industry standards and market guidance. We will fully leverage the role of industry associations and bolster industry self-discipline. We will introduce preferential measures such as joint marketing of air tickets and hotel bookings to guide businesses in setting reasonable prices. As we all know, Hainan is known for its warm sunshine during the winter; but actually, it also features refreshing sea breezes in summer. With its tropical rainforests and an island tourist highway, Hainan offers beautiful scenery and is an ideal travel destination year-round. By promoting off-peak tourism, we aim to provide tourists with more cost-effective travel options.

Third, we will vigorously crack down on irregularities in the tourism market and focus on improving service quality. We maintain a strict zero-tolerance attitude toward deceptive practices that target tourists. We will promptly investigate and penalize such misconduct, enforcing stringent regulations and imposing heavy penalties. Throughout the year, we will continue to take strong measures to clean up and improve the tourism market, ensuring that no one tarnishes the reputation of Hainan's tourism sector. Additionally, we will enhance the training and development of tourism professionals. We will launch the "Year of Enhancing Quality Tourism Services" campaign in 2024.

Currently, under the theme "Welcome to Cool Hainan for a Break from the Summer Heat," we are launching a series of signature activities such as "100 performances and 1,000 sporting events." We are developing unique tourism products, including water sports, rainforest hot springs, intangible cultural heritage events of the Li and Miao ethnic groups, and educational tours. The China International Consumer Products Expo 2024 will open the day after tomorrow , and we extend a special welcome to all present here today. We also expect more friends to come to Hainan for a deep and immersive experience. Thank you.