Sports activities to boost Hainan tourism

China will encourage new tourist activities, including horse racing, sports betting and an instant lottery, in South China's Hainan province to boost the province's tourism sector, according to the authority.

According to a circular released by the National Development and Reform Commission on Friday, the work in the sports and tourism industries will be facilitated to develop a sports tourism industry, which will feature beach sports, water sports, horse racing, aviation sports, motor sports and outdoor sports.

Entry restrictions on participating sport boats, aircraft, motor vehicles and motorcycles will be relaxed, according to the plan.

The circular says Hainan will further explore the development of sports betting and an instant lottery on large-scale international competitions.