Tourism ambitions prompt Hainan to lift Internet Firewall, widens visa-free access

26 Jun 2018 2104 | World Travel News

Hainan is doubling down on tourism in a bold move to allow tourists access to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, in addition to offering visa-free entry into its Sanya for citizens of 59 countries, including eight of the 10 ASEAN nations.

According a Reuters report, a special “gathering zone” will be created in Hainan province for foreign tourists to access the social media websites, a significant exception in China’s hard-line ban of international social media sites, chat apps and search engines.

With a target for 25 per cent arrivals growth, Hainan relaxes rules to lure tourists

The relaxed ruling for tourists was part of a plan announced this month to boost visitor arrivals into the province to at least million by 2020, or by 25 per cent annually.

Meanwhile, a new policy came into effect in May to allow citizens from 59 countries visa-free entry into Sanya – Hainan’s southern-most island and key tourist destination – for stays of up to 30 days.

This applies to individual or group bookings made through travel agencies registered in Hainan Province and approved by the China National Tourism Administration.