HAIKOU /China/, August 15. /TASS/. The flow of tourists to the city of Haikou, the administrative center of Hainan Province, reached 13.3 million people in the first half of the year, up 24% year-on-year, the Haikou Daily newspaper reported.
According to the article, the income of local companies and individual entrepreneurs increased 25.3% to 20.81 billion yuan (about $2.9 billion at the current exchange rate) because of tourists. The paper noted that the number of visitors to the city is increasing amid the diversification of the service sector and in connection with the expansion of the cultural program.
The increase in the flow of tourists this year contributed to the arrival of famous artists who performed in Haikou. Among them is Taiwanese singer Zhou Jielun (also known as Jay Chou), who is popular in Asia. Teens in Times is among the popular musical bands that have recently visited the island and attracted fans from all over China, with more than 30,000 people attending their concerts in the city.
The Haikou Culture and Tourism Office noted that consumption remains an important driver of the local economy. The duty-free trade sector, major cultural and sporting events will continue to play a key role.
Haikou accounts for approximately one-third of Hainan's gross regional product. This city of 2.8 million people is the main cultural and economic center of the province, actively developing cooperation with other countries. It serves as a major international transportation hub, capable of handling several million containers annually. In accordance with the Chinese government's plan, a large cluster of headquarters and representative offices of multinational companies is being formed here.