Tropical paradise welcomes the world

The tropical island province of Hainan is transforming into an international tourism destination in line with the central government's development blueprint, focusing on upgrading its tourism products, infrastructure and services.

"Hainan needs internationally popular tourism and entertainment offerings to provide visitors more options, to become an international tourism and consumer hub, and to enrich the Hainan free trade zone and port," Hainan Daily, a local paper, quoted a provincial cultural and sports affairs department official as saying recently.

The State Council released a plan in late 2009 to build Hainan into a global tourism destination. Ever since, tourism has been a pillar industry, as the island is developing world-class attractions to entice visitors from across the world.