On August 24, the Hainan Discovery 2025 - Global Travel Delegates Program, planned jointly by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province and Trip.com Group, wrapped up successfully. As a flagship initiative in the Department’s Hainan inbound tourism promotional campaign targeting the Hong Kong market, the event invited travel professionals from across the world to experience Hainan’s vacation products firsthand with the aim of advancing Hainan’s development into an international tourism and consumption center and further developing the global market. During the 5-day trip, 20 international tour operators and travelers from Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belarus, Poland, New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong had an immersive experience of the island's diverse cultural and tourism products.

Through the eyes of the international tour operators and travelers, the breathtaking scenery of this hidden gem island was showcased in its full splendor. The journey began with a romantic rendezvous in Sanya where clear waters, white sands, and fragrant coconut groves greeted them. They ascended the picturesque Nanshan Mountain to pay homage to the serene and compassionate Nanhai Guanyin Statue, admist the sound of waves intertwined with Buddhist chants. They ventured into Binglanggu, a hidden tribe in Hainan’s tropical rainforest, to witness the Li and Miao cultural legacy passed down through generations. This "international delegation" discovered one photogenic spot after another with their footsteps and, through immersive encounters with mountains and sea, fell in love with this charming island. As one tour operator put it, "This is the first time I’ve seen Hainan so comprehensively and from so many angles. Beyond sun and sand, there’s so much more here worth discovering. It was a truly special island vacation experience. I can’t wait to share it with my friends back home!"

Global travel delegates at Haikou Qilou Old Street

As the journey unfolded, the profound cultural heritage of this "ocean paradise" deeply captivated the international tour operators and travelers. The Sanya Romance Show took them on a journey back a thousand years amid the dazzling interplay of lights and shadows. At the Wenchang Aerospace Science Center, VR technology and rocket models together showcase Hainan’s close ties with modern aerospace innovation, while the century-old arcade buildings standing quietly on the Qilou Old Street whisper stories of a bygone Nanyang dream. This trip was not only a feast for the eyes, but also for the soul. "Hainan is definitely an appealing culture and tourism destination. We look forward to working with Hainan to develop more innovative and diverse vacation products so as to further boost the island’s international profile as a tourist destination," remarked the participants. They were also eager to pursue tourist source exchange, resource sharing, and other forms of cooperation to bring more visitors from all over the world to get a firsthand experience of Hainan's vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes.

Global travel delegates at Sanya Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone

As global attention turns to Hainan’s vacation brand, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province has already been prepared to welcome guests with open arms. This December, Hainan Free Trade Port will officially launch an island-wide independent customs operation, which will forge even closer links between Hainan’s culture and tourism sector and the international market. The Hainan Discovery 2025 - Global Travel Delegates Program is a comprehensive showcase of the island’s culture and tourism resources and an active self-exploration of the cultural tourism industry during the critical phase of customs closure preparations. After this trip, the international tour operators and travelers will leverage their insights and expertise to develop  and promote Hainan vacation products tailored to the needs of tourists from their home countries, helping Hainan's culture and tourism sector gain a stronger foothold in the global market. Through this event, Hainan has also expanded its global network of partners. By implementing a communications strategy that resonated at home and abroad, it sparked industry-wide discussions from multiple perspectives and across various channels, highlighting Hainan’s reputation and influence as an International Tourism Island. The event also showcased Hainan's romantic side, diversity, and cultural confidence to the world, bringing the island a significant step closer to its goal of becoming an international tourism and consumption center.

Moving forward, Hainan will continue to leverage the Free Trade Port policies as a strategic fulcrum, further integrate the island’s natural resources and visa-free advantages, delve deeper into the "Hainan Story," and offer more refined culture and tourism products suited to the international market. It will also keep improving its inbound service system, welcoming global tourists in a more open gesture.