Hainan goes upmarket

While most tourists to Hainan are mainland Chinese -- 18 million last year against just 750,000 overseas visitors -- the government is working hard to attract affluent foreigners, which it hopes will boost the island's reputation and coffers. The goal is to "within five years, attract 20 famous international hotel management groups, and make the number of five star, international-standard resorts rise to 60 or more", provincial tourism bureau head Zhang Qi said last month.

Reuters | June 4, 2008

Tags:. .coffers. .affluent. .mainland. .zhang. .qi