The Chinese government has begun to implement redevelopment plans to turn the southern island of Hainan into what they have called a "global destination." Different private sectors related to the world of hospitality have been quick to join the cause.
New resorts, visa-free entry for tourists from different countries, tax-free shopping for everyone and the possibility of practicing different sports are some of the striking proposals that the government has decided to implement to attract a greater number of tourists. What they really want is to turn the island into the " Hawaii of China ."
With its unspoiled beaches , crystal clear waters and relatively intact forests, the southernmost part of the country attracts some 19 million visitors from other parts of China and about a million international tourists annually. The government has commented that thanks to Hainan this figure will be able to grow up to 5 times more. Apart from the initiatives that we told you about previously, measures are also being considered to make the restrictions on betting more flexible.
Gambling is illegal in China, but they are weighing in on international lotteries. A significant number of luxury resorts have already opened on the island in the last 12 months – 297 – including the Mandarin Oriental room on Sanya Beach. Some builders are considering opening a theme park to rival the one Disney plans to open in Shanghai in 2014. We’ll see what happens to this little paradise .