The Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) begins its island-wide special customs operations on December 18, marking a significant landmark by China’s expanding opening-up policy.
China Tourism Group Corporation Limited (CTG) rides the trend and take various measures to promote the building of the FTP as an international tourism and shopping center.
New era of opening up
Hainan FTP’s new customs framework — “freer access at the first line, regulated access at the second line, and free flow within the island” — aligns the whole-process management of cross-border commodities with the drive to promote high-level, free and convenient trade.
Tax-free shopping policies for visitors have been refined and implemented since November 1, adding two major categories of products, modifying three minor ones and allowing six additional kinds of goods to be sold in duty-free shop.
A bird view of Haikou International Duty Free City in Haikou, South China’s Hainan Province [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The CTG’s subsidiary China Duty Free Group Co., Ltd. (CDFG) manages six duty-free shopping areas in Hainan province, including Haikou International Duty Free City and Sanya International Duty Free City, the world’s first and second largest tax-free shopping complex, respectively.
The CDFG-owned tax-free complex in Haikou attracts waves of tourists. With accumulated sales surpassing one hundred billion yuan (about $142 billion), the CDF Sanya store has been elevated to a national 5A-level tourist destination, the first one by virtue of its duty-free commercial activities.
The CDFG makes various efforts in setting brand store, releasing new products, promoting marketing and improving services, to spur consumption and transform tourism-dependent retail to quality-oriented sale.
As the FTP launches the special customs framework, there is a higher demand for the variety and uniqueness of products on the shelves. The CDFG offers tens of thousands of commodities to feed multi-level consumption needs and enhances cooperation with global pioneering brands to improve supplies through personalized design, exclusive sale and limited sale.
A bird view of Sanya International Duty Free City in Sanya City, South China’s Hainan Province [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The CDFG encourages famous brands to establish their first stores in the FTP, release their new products here and organize shows. The CDFG also includes a wider array of burgeoning commodities such as home appliances, tiny drones and domestic clothing in the FTP, strengthening the supplies of international brands and powering domestic brands to enter the global market.
As the silver economy develops rapidly, the CDFG launches the “CDFG Health” initiative to inject new momentum into consumption on the island by aligning high-quality health products with the needs of seniors.
Shopping paradise for customers
The CDFG has redesigned its shopping places to provide diversified and immersive shopping experiences for customers, contributing to building Hainan into a comprehensive tourist destination that offers travelers cultural activities, entertainments and social exchanges.
The CDFG leverages the potential of Chinese culture to spur the flourishing of cultural tourism on the island. The ongoing year-end celebration held by the CDFG showcases a fresh shopping scene, featuring over one hundred of parades, themed shows and performances with well-known figures, offering tourists surprises every week. During this carnival, Sanyan International Duty Free City initiates happy clown parade and fashion prom while the Haikou counterpart launches a party full of pretty and lovely elements and flash show of intangible cultural heritage.
The CDFG has worked hard to establish a delicate and customer-oriented service system to ensure buyers have an enjoyable shopping experience. Prioritizing business integrity and first-rate service, Sanyan International Duty Free City has established eight supporting systems and 98 corresponding regulations and standards to provide better service. CDFG’s other duty-free store at Haikou Meilan International Airport focuses on customers upset by flight delays and seniors, providing them with better services such as shopping discounts, quick channels and free ironing.
Facing such a historical opportunity, the CTG will use its tax-free stores to provide first-class service, contributing its strength to the development of Hainan FTP and consistently unleashing its potential.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
