Hainan as a Free Trade Port: How China is Transforming the Island into a Global Tourism Hub

As China accelerates Hainan's development into a globally competitive Free Trade Port (FTP), this study examines how strategic policies are transforming the island into an international tourism hub. Against the backdrop of China's dual-circulation economic strategy, the research employs policy analysis, tourism statistics (2018-2023), and case studies of key projects like the Haitang Bay duty-free shopping complex and Sanya's luxury resort developments to assess Hainan's transformation. The methodology combines quantitative analysis of visitor growth patterns with qualitative evaluation of infrastructure investments and marketing campaigns targeting international markets. Findings reveal that visa-free policies for 59 countries and expanded duty-free quotas (100,000 RMB annually per visitor) have increased foreign tourist arrivals by 48% since 2020, while digital initiatives like the "Hainan Travel App" have enhanced visitor experiences. However, results also identify persistent challenges including seasonal tourism imbalances, environmental pressures from coastal development, and competition with established Southeast Asian destinations. The study concludes that while Hainan has successfully elevated its status among Chinese domestic tourists, achieving global hub status requires improved air connectivity, cultural tourism diversification beyond beach resorts, and stronger sustainability measures - offering valuable lessons for tourism-led development in emerging economies.