Hainan makes industry advances, but further development needed

Tourism services and resources have continued to improve in Hainan province over the past six years, despite a global recession, a report has found.

The first of its kind to be issued in Hainan, the report offers data and consulting services for building the southern island province into a world-class tourist destination.

The overall situation of the province's tourism industry is evaluated under categories that include resources, the market for visitors, services and the environment.

The Hainan International Tourism Island Development Index Report (2015) was issued by the Hainan Provincial Tourism Development Commission, the Index Institute of the National Financial Information Center and the Hainan bureau of Xinhua News Agency.

From 2009 - when it was launched - to last year, the index, which measures the quality of the province's tourism industry, increased from a base of 100 with average annual growth of 17.95 percent. It stood at 228.34 in 2014.

Lu Zhiyuan, director of the provincial Tourism Development Commission, said the report provided detailed references for tourism authorities to make decisions when developing the industry, and also for companies to make investment plans.

Despite the achievements, Lu said the goal of establishing Hainan as an international tourism island has not been realized. "It needs to further improve the quality of its tourism products and services," Lu said.

He Lin, a marketing manager at a tourism agency in Haikou, said Hainan lacks high-end tourism brands, such as Macao's casinos.

"Hainan needs to further improve its infrastructure and services," he said.

Sun Li contributed to this story.