On the evening of February 3
a flight from Tokyo, Japan
smoothly landed at Haikou Meilan International Airport
marking the official launch of the Haikou-Tokyo direct flight route.
a 19-member Japanese travel agent delegation
organized by the Hainan Provincial Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports Department
arrived in Hainan for an 8-day experience of the island's tourism resources.
This signifies a new phase of tourism cooperation between Hainan and Japan.
The new route not only facilitates business and cultural exchanges but also serves as a key step in enhancing Hainan's role as an international tourism and consumption hub under the Free Trade Port initiative. The department noted that the direct flight will significantly reduce travel costs for Japanese tourists, further boosting Hainan's inbound tourism market.
To leverage the new route, the delegation, comprising Japanese tourism industry representatives and media personnel, embarked on a "Sunshine Island Charm Tour" starting February 3. They will visit cities including Haikou, Qionghai, Lingshui, Baoting, Sanya, and Wanning, focusing on coastal resorts, tropical rainforests, hot springs, wellness tourism, and local culture. The delegation will also collaborate with local tourism businesses to design tailored travel products for Japanese tourists.
A department representative stated, "Japan is a key international market for Hainan. This inspection aims to showcase Hainan's new tourism image and experiences through the professionals' perspectives, laying the groundwork for future promotions and mutual visits."
In recent years, Hainan has strengthened its international tourism infrastructure, with duty-free shopping, medical wellness, and cultural-sports events thriving, offering diverse attractions for overseas visitors. The Japanese delegation's visit marks a milestone in Hainan's inbound tourism recovery and an opportunity to elevate bilateral tourism cooperation.
Yamada Ami, a marketing manager from the Tokyo Tourism Office, said, "Hainan's natural scenery aligns perfectly with Japanese tourists' preferences. Combined with duty-free policies and flight convenience, the market potential is immense."
Hainan is accelerating the restoration and expansion of its international flight network, planning to add and increase routes to East and Southeast Asia this year. With more facilitating policies and innovative tourism products, Hainan is poised to become a top global destination for tropical island vacations.