South China's island province of Hainan has reported robust offshore duty-free sales during the just-concluded eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday season, according to the local customs bureau on Thursday.
The Haikou Customs in the provincial capital city of Haikou oversaw duty-free sales totaling 944 million yuan (about 132.5 million U.S. dollars) in approximately 122,900 transactions during the holiday running from Oct. 1 to 8, with an average per capita spending of 7,685 yuan (about 1079.4 U.S. dollars), representing a year-on-year increase of 13.6 percent, 3.2 percent, and 10 percent, respectively.
To improve the shopping experience, the Haikou International Duty-Free City has launched drone delivery services, allowing goods to be delivered from duty-free shops to the port in the minimum of one and a half minutes. Since January, the drone delivery has transported over five million duty-free items.
China released a master plan in June 2020 to build Hainan into a globally influential, high-level free trade port by the middle of the century.
Boosted by the policy, the southernmost Chinese province has become an attractive shopping destination for domestic consumers, now boasting 12 offshore duty-free stores.
Hainan reports robust duty-free sales during National Day holiday
Hong Kong is experiencing a surge of visitors from the Chinese mainland for the 15th National Games, highlighting the potential of the collaborated development of sports and tourism sectors.
Jointly hosted by Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR from Nov 9 to 21, this year's Games marks the first time to stage competitions across all the three regions of the Greater Bay Area, a pioneering step in regional cooperation.
Many visiting spectators have chosen to turn their trip into a sports-themed vacation.
"I am from Qingdao and visited Hong Kong during the National Games. The city feels even more lively during the event. The services are thoughtful, and I'm having an exceptional experience," said a tourist from north China.
"This is my first time in Hong Kong. I came specifically for the National Games to cheer for the athletes," said a young girl.
"I am from Liaoning and came to experience the National Games' vibrant sports atmosphere. The overall experience has been outstanding," shared a tourist, who brought his young child to feel the unique atmosphere in the city.
Observers said that the 15th National Games is proving the value of the "sports plus tourism" development model, which generates fresh momentum for integration across the Greater Bay Area.
"Recently, we have welcomed a surge of tourists in Hong Kong, with bustling streets reflecting the city's vibrancy. The successful hosting of the National Games has not only shown Hong Kong's capabilities to manage large-scale events, but also reinforced its status as an international events hub. This sets a good foundation for attracting more premier sports events to this city in the future. The National Games has inspired the tourism sector, amplifying the synergy of 'sports plus tourism' and created more cooperation opportunity for the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area," said Tsoi Wing-sing, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
"This National Games is the first major sports event co-hosted by the three places, signifying a new phase of regional integrated development. As a Hong Kong resident, I am deeply grateful to the Central Government for granting Hong Kong the chance to participate in this landmark event," said Charles Ng Wang-wai, also a member of the CPPCC National Committee.
Hong Kong boosts "sports plus tourism" synergy at National Games
