China's Hainan Island innovates tourist offerings ahead of May Day holiday

As the five-day May Day (Labor Day) holiday approaches, top tourist destinations in Hainan, China’s southern island province, are rolling out dynamic cultural and leisure offerings, ensuring visitors have a vibrant and immersive getaway.

Data from online travel platforms indicates a significant surge in flight and hotel bookings for Hainan during the upcoming holiday.

In anticipation of the influx of tourists, scenic spots across the province are leveraging their unique resources to offer distinctive cultural and tourism experiences.

The Luhuitou Scenic Area in Sanya City is blending light art with natural landscapes, enhancing its nighttime offerings. In addition to its regular live performances, the scenic area has introduced new Labor Day-themed light installations and photo-worthy spots for visitors to enjoy.

The Ocean Flower Island resort in Danzhou City has launched a night-tour program featuring stunning light shows and live performances, designed to create a relaxing atmosphere for visitors.

The Shenyu Island Cultural and Tourism Resort in Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County will offer a five-day therapeutic course for elderly visitors, along with intangible cultural heritage educational programs for children.

"The first 30 visitors to our park each day will enjoy a free costume experience, with makeup artists available to help create their looks. This allows visitors to immerse themselves in both the rainforest scenery and the Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) culture," said Liu Yukun, marketing manager of the Baihualing Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone in Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County.

According to Hainan's tourism authorities, the province welcomed 33.86 million tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year, a 5.6 percent increase compared to the previous year. International arrivals grew by 19.3 percent, reaching 309,600. This continued growth in tourist numbers signals a thriving tourism market in Hainan.

China's Hainan Island innovates tourist offerings ahead of May Day holiday

China's Hainan Island innovates tourist offerings ahead of May Day holiday

Israel has moved to hike up fuel costs starting Wednesday, setting the highest prices in nearly four years, as the impact of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran sees global oil prices soar.

The country's Energy Ministry announced Monday that starting from April 1, the price of unleaded 95-octane gasoline would rise to 8.05 shekels (over 2.5 U.S. dollars) per liter, up from 7.02 shekels, representing a 14.7 percent increase.

The ministry said the hike was necessitated by a nearly 50 percent rise in fuel prices across Mediterranean countries, amid higher global oil costs linked to the ongoing war with Iran and concerns over the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital passageway vital that carries about one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade.

In addition, the ministry said the exchange rate for the shekel also rose slightly by about 2 percent, which has pushed up Israel's import costs and further contributed to the increase in fuel prices.

Gasoline prices at Israeli gas stations are set by the Energy Ministry at the end of each month, based on the average fuel prices in the Mediterranean region and the exchange rate of the local currency.

The new price is the highest for more than three and a half years, with ministry figures showing the last peak was 8.08 shekels per liter in July 2022.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan TV News reported that the government is considering intervening to lower prices by cutting the excise tax. The finance ministry is opposed to the move, however, citing increased spending tied to the war and the need to preserve fuel tax revenues.

The conflict erupted on Feb. 28 when Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on the Iranian capital Tehran and several other cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran has responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.

Israel raises fuel prices to nearly four-year-high as oil costs soar amid Iran war