Spain and Hainan Outline New Tourism Strategies
Officials detailed efforts to grow travel economies at the Global Tourism Economy Forum held in Macau.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Travel — General
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Spain and China's Hainan province presented updated tourism development strategies at the recent Global Tourism Economy Forum. Leaders focused on diversifying economies and tracking the true impact of visitors beyond arrival numbers.
Why it matters
Both regions are working to stabilize their tourism industries against global environmental pressures and geopolitical shifts. These strategies aim to balance economic growth with sustainable management.
Spain expects international visitor spending to surpass US$160 billion in 2026, supported by an 87-weekly flight schedule to China. Hainan currently accounts for 8% of the global duty-free market.
The players
Spain
This European nation is a major global tourism destination that currently coordinates management between national and regional authorities.
Hainan
This Chinese province is developing its free trade port status and infrastructure to bolster its international tourism standing.
The details
Spain has increased air capacity with China by 40% and continues to integrate tourism management across its national, regional, and private sectors. Meanwhile, Hainan is utilizing its free trade port status and a coastal tourist highway to lure international travelers.
Timeline
In 2025, 800,000 Chinese travelers visited Spain.
Hainan launched islandwide special customs operations in December 2025.
The Global Tourism Economy Forum occurred in Macau on the weekend of October 17-18, 2026.
Spain projects 100 million international visitors in 2026.
Travel Outlook
The focus on non-arrival metrics marks a shift toward qualitative tourism management over traditional volume-based growth. This aligns with global trends where destinations must manage the environmental footprint of travel while maintaining revenue.
Travelers between Spain and China can anticipate more flexible routing options due to the 40% increase in air capacity. Visitors to Hainan should prepare for evolving customs processes as the province updates its duty-free and trade port operations.
The takeaway
Regions are increasingly prioritizing sustainable economic metrics rather than just total visitor headcounts to manage growth. Travelers can expect destination planning to become more tied to infrastructure capacity and regional economic integration.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the sector at Travel — General.
Live Poll
Should local governments prioritize tourism growth even if it impacts the well-being of local residents?
