World-famous movie stars, such as Aamir Khan, Jackie Chan and Johnny Depp, gather at the closing ceremony of the 1st Hainan International Film Festival in Sanya on Dec 16, 2018. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]
The development of the MICE industry has become a major driver of tourism consumption in Hainan, drawing in an endless supply of people and funds. Many people who come to Hainan for exhibitions and meetings end up staying for a holiday, doing some duty-free shopping, enjoying the island's delicious food, and even playing a bit of golf.
Government support, the 59-country visa-free policy and the newly expanded duty-free policy strongly boosted the island's convention and exhibition sector in 2018.
Due to the continuous improvement of hotels and other infrastructure in Hainan, the convention and exhibition industry has expanded outside of Haikou, Sanya and Bo'ao to areas such as Chengmai, Lingshui, Danzhou and others on the less-developed western coast, said Lyu Yong, director of the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province.
Lyu said that Hainan will introduce global event organizations and develop exhibition brands and companies to build the island province into an internationally-renowned destination for conferences.
The island province will also establish a joint conference system to help propel the development of the MICE industry at a provincial level, set up a provincial industrial development fund, introduce supportive management policies, and accelerate the development of a service-based, open and green economy.
