“Here’s a big move: On May 11th, Los Angeles time, Hainan’s tourism department teamed up with the China National Tourism Office in LA and launched a major promo event.
But the real headline? They officially cut the ribbon for a brand-new Hainan tourism office in LA. This basically means Hainan now has a permanent foothold and a regular promotion channel in the North American market.”
“And the timing couldn’t be better. Hainan is already seeing a massive tourism boom.
Why? Three big reasons: the new Free Trade Port customs rules​ just kicked in, the visa-free policies​ are wider than ever, and there are way more international flights​ landing every day.
The results? In Q1 of 2026 alone, Hainan welcomed nearly 490,000​ inbound visitors. That’s a huge 53.1% jump​ from last year.”
                                                                         International visitors enjoy touring Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park in Sanya. (Photo: Huang Qingyou)
Hainan, boasting a wealth of tropical coastal scenery, has become a top destination for travelers from around the world. The photo shows a section of the Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway. (Photo: Hainan Daily)
“Chen Fenghua, the Chinese Consul in LA, was there to give it a thumbs-up. He pointed out that LA is a massive hub for culture, tourism, and aviation on the West Coast.
He said LA and Hainan are a perfect match—they complement each other perfectly. This event and the new office? That’s real, tangible progress in US-China cultural ties. The Consulate is fully behind this and will keep supporting deeper cooperation between Hainan and California, whether it’s tourism, trade, or just getting people to connect.”
“Wu Dawei, the head of the China National Tourism Office in LA, is super optimistic. He says that as the Hainan Free Trade Port​ continues to grow, Hainan is quickly becoming one of the most international spots in China.
Plus, the policies are getting better. Take the 144-hour visa-free transit—it makes planning a trip way more flexible. Wu’s goal is simple: through these promotions and the media, he wants to get more Americans to discover Hainan and actually book a ticket.”
“So, what’s the new LA office actually going to do? Basically, they’re handling everything.
They’ll run marketing campaigns, organize tours, manage media relations, and coordinate events. They’ll be constantly pushing Hainan travel packages, touching base with local partners, and getting the island featured in the media. They’re basically the boots on the ground for Hainan in the US.”
“A rep from Hainan’s tourism department put it simply: opening offices overseas is how we expand globally.
LA is a no-brainer. It’s a massive cultural and aviation hub in North America, making it the perfect launchpad for the US market. Looking ahead, the goal is to lock in a long-term partnership with LA. We’re talking about more flight routes, more tourists swapping visits, co-developing travel products, and boosting the Hainan brand together.”