Macao and Hainan explore new multi-stop travel products - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Tourism industry representatives from Macao and Hainan are exploring new multi-stop itineraries designed to combine the two destinations within a single trip. The initiative focuses on improving transport connections, integrating local experiences and developing products that make onward travel between Macao and the Chinese island easier.

The discussions followed a tourism exchange held from September 20 to 26, when industry representatives from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan travelled across Hainan and met local tourism partners. The programme included visits to rainforest areas, terraced fields, cultural attractions, a wildlife and botanical park, duty-free retail facilities and a science and technology museum.

The talks come as Hainan records strong growth in inbound tourism. The island received nearly 1.3 million international arrivals during the first eight months of 2026, an increase of 44.4 percent year on year. Around 13,000 visitors arrived from Macao.

Turning connections into itineraries

Macao operators see an opportunity to use the territory not simply as a destination but as a gateway for onward travel to Hainan. Tang Ka Man, vice-chairman of the Association of Macao Tourist Agents, said operators had recently observed significant numbers of Taiwanese travellers passing through Macao on their way to the Chinese mainland.

That traffic has prompted discussions about developing structured multi-stop products. One possible itinerary would combine an overnight stay and sightseeing in Macao with onward travel to Hainan the following day.

Operators are examining connections from both Macao International Airport and nearby Zhuhai Jinwan Airport to Haikou and Sanya. Shorter transfer times and more convenient onward connections are among the issues being considered.

For the tourism industry, however, the product is intended to involve more than transport and a sequence of major attractions. Tang said travellers increasingly want opportunities to experience everyday local life, creating potential for smaller tourism businesses to become part of organised itineraries.

Huang Fu Lung, deputy general manager of Macao Gonbei Tourism & Development Company Limited, said the industry visit had provided a better understanding of Hainan and expressed interest in bringing more travellers to the island.

Hainan targets inbound markets

Hainan tourism officials also see scope for more targeted promotion in Macao. The province is considering additional themed activities for international visitors as it seeks to convert rising inbound demand into a broader range of tourism products.

The cooperation could help Hainan combine its established resort destinations with nature, culture, shopping and other experiences. For Macao, multi-stop programmes offer an opportunity to capture part of the transit market by encouraging travellers to spend time in the city before continuing their journey.

The next opportunity to develop the cooperation will come in October. Hainan is due to participate as the featured province at the 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macao from October 15 to 17.

The event will give tourism authorities and businesses from both destinations another platform to discuss distribution, connectivity and product development. If the proposed itineraries move into commercial programmes, they could provide tour operators with a new way of combining two very different destinations within a single China trip.

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration with material courtesy of China Daily