With the objective to promote Hainan, a province in southern China, the Chinese government has liberalised the visa policies for foreign tourists coming as a group.

According to a press statement, with effect from July 30, foreign nationals of all countries with whom China has diplomatic relations can now visit Hainan for 144 hours without any visas as long as they come through tour groups registered in Hong Kong and Macao.

The statement adds that the policy applies to all State-established open ports in the province, and the travel scope is limited to the administrative region of Hainan.

According to the new rules, each tour group must consist of at least two people, and the entire group must enter and exit together.

The relaxation of visa policy means that Indian groups travelling to or through Hong Kong and Macao can go to Hainan without any visa. The gradual restoration of flight connectivity between the two countries and enhanced flights from India to Hong Kong could propel tourist flow from India to Hainan going forward.