Local governments whose economic growth depends on tourism have not been spared the slowdown in domestic travel, officials have said.

Chen Cheng, vice-governor of Hainan, said at a travel promotion in Beijing last month that he knew of no other province that had seen tourism revenue grow from last year.

Even then, Hainan's increase was "marginal", he said, refusing to give detailed figures.

While the province, popular as a tropical resort island with travelers, reported a 10 percent increase in tourist arrivals, the picture was also far from rosy.

"This is an average increase, formulated from a 30-percent growth in the first four months of the year and a negative growth in the past two months," said Wang Rulong from Hainan's provincial tourism bureau.

He said the negative growth in tourist arrivals was not only happening to Hainan, but also to other provinces.

Hainan could also have more to lose, he said.

It is the only province that enjoys a special entry policy, where visas for tour groups from 15 countries and regions within 15 days of their arrival are not needed, he said.

"Unfortunately, in the general interest of the country, Hainan suspended its visa-free policy from this month," he said.

The province has had to adjust its strategy for luring tourists and focus on Hong Kong and Macao, whose travelers do not need a visa to visit Hainan, he said.

Following the travel promotions, tourist arrivals from Hong Kong have increased by more than 20 percent so far this year, he said.

Click to see pictures of Sanya beach  

(China Daily July 17, 2008)