Hainan garners 1.89b yuan of tourism revenue during May Day holiday

A foreign couple poses for a selfie at Nanshan Cultural Tourism Area in Sanya. [Photo by Chen Wenwu/news.cn]

Hainan received over 1.65 million tourists, generating more than 1.89 billion yuan ($280.7 million) in tourism revenue for the island province during this year's May Day holiday from May 1 to 4.

According to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, an abundance of tourism products were offered during the period, with comprehensive tourism packages greatly contributing to the growth of the tourism market.

In addition to various tourist attractions and activities, duty-free shopping also helped attract a large number of visitors. A total of 43,200 people purchased 221,700 duty-free products in Hainan during the holiday. They generated a gross sales amount of 162 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 153.13 percent, which set a new record.

The tourism annual passes offering unlimited visits to 16 scenic spots in Hainan within a year were put into formal use on May 1. The first 5,000 passes that were offered at a preferential price of 168 yuan ($25.06) have sold out and the price has since been restored to 198 yuan.

The scenic spots include Nanwan Monkey Island, Hainan Binglanggu (Betelnut Valley) Li and Miao Cultural Heritage Park, Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone, and Sanya Dongtian Park. More will be encompassed in the near future.

Foreign tourists spend their holiday on the beach in Sanya. [Photo by Wu Wei/Hainan Daily APP]

A tourist takes part in a bamboo dance with locals in Hainan. [Photo by Chen Wenwu/news.cn]