Agora, China únese aos Emiratos Árabes Unidos, Turquía, Malaisia, Arabia Saudita, Exipto, Qatar, India, Marrocos, Indonesia, Singapur, Corea do Sur, Omán e Uzbekistán para adoptar o crecente mercado do turismo halal: coñece máis sobre este movemento estratéxico.

Sábado xullo 5, 2025

Hainan is a tropical island lying 20 kilometers off China’s southern coast and is slowly becoming a crucial stopover for Muslim pilgrims traveling from Southeast Asia to Saudi Arabia. It is not necessarily about religious travel; it is Beijing’s mega plan to transcend spiritual travel and turn Hainan into a gateway for connecting Muslim tourists to key cities in China such as Xi’an, Ordos, and Chongqing in further stages. Through strategic cooperation and government-supported plans and technocratic upgrading of infrastructures, China aims to attract millions of Muslim travelers in years to come and tap into a highly lucrative and burgeoning market.

The Evolution of Hainan’s Muslim Tourism Strategy

Hainan’s shift towards becoming a pilgrimage stopover hub is backed by China’s broader tourism goals. In 2023, the government introduced a new national tourism directive aimed at catering to Muslim travelers. The province of Hainan was given the green light to enhance its infrastructure, with a focus on providing halal-friendly services, subsidized flights, and tax incentives. The project targets Southeast Asian Muslim pilgrims, particularly from Indonesia, who make the pilgrimage to Mecca for Umrah. These travelers will now have the opportunity to pass through Hainan, a more affordable and culturally fit alternative to the traditional stopover cities like Dubai, Istanbul, and Amman.

This new pathway offers direct flights from Jakarta to Haikou, the capital of Hainan, with onward connections to Jeddah, the gateway to Mecca. The island is poised to handle up to 90,000 Southeast Asian pilgrims annually, capturing about 10% of the global Umrah market. But the true aim extends beyond Umrah, as Hainan is set to become a key part of a much larger vision: enticing Muslim tourists to explore the mainland, particularly destinations with significant Islamic heritage, such as Xi’an and Ordos.

Government-Backed Strategy and Infrastructure Development

A significant component of this transformation is the backing from the Chinese government. The local Hainan government has allocated substantial resources, including tourism bonds and state-directed loans, to build infrastructure designed to cater to Muslim tourists. This includes halal-certified restaurants, prayer areas, multilingual services, and culturally sensitive hotel accommodations. The initiative is being executed in collaboration with Shun Tian International Travel, a Beijing-based travel developer with expertise in managing faith-based travel routes.

The new routes being established by Shun Tian aim to not only attract Muslim pilgrims but to expand into broader tourism segments. In the future, Hainan will serve as a key transit hub connecting Southeast Asia to the rest of China. By developing flight routes from Indonesia’s predominantly Muslim cities like Surabaya, Makassar, and Medan, Hainan hopes to capture a significant portion of the region’s Muslim travel market. The island will serve as a stepping stone for pilgrims, but also as a point of entry for Muslim tourists seeking to explore China’s rich Islamic heritage.

The Rise of Halal Tourism and Its Economic Impact

The global halal travel market has seen tremendous growth, with estimates showing that the number of Muslim tourists reached 176 million in 2024. Projections suggest this number will rise to 245 million by 2030, driving a massive $410.9 billion industry by 2032. The halal travel market, which encompasses both religious and non-religious travel, is expected to grow at a steady rate, driven by the increasing number of Muslim travelers seeking destinations that cater to their cultural and religious needs.

The halal tourism sector is integral to the Islamic economy, which is expected to surpass $7.7 trillion by 2025. With this surge, destinations offering halal services such as halal food, prayer facilities, and culturally sensitive accommodations are attracting more attention. China’s focus on Hainan is part of a larger effort to carve out a portion of this market by offering competitive pricing, government subsidies, and a seamless travel experience for Muslim tourists.

Through the partnership between Hainan and Shun Tian, China is leveraging its growing infrastructure and positioning itself as an attractive destination for Muslim travelers. This strategic plan not only boosts the local economy but also strengthens China’s position in the global tourism market. It also creates a win-win scenario where Muslim travelers benefit from improved services, and China gains a slice of the lucrative tourism pie.

Beyond Pilgrimages: The Long-Term Vision for Hainan

While the pilgrimage market is the immediate focus, the long-term goal is far broader. Hainan’s growing role as a Muslim-friendly stopover can be seen as part of China’s broader strategy to diversify its tourism offerings and attract international visitors. Beijing hopes to leverage Hainan’s accessibility and affordability to encourage tourists to explore other parts of China, particularly those with significant Muslim cultural heritage.

Cities like Xi’an, Ordos, and Chongqing are all being prepared to welcome Muslim tourists. Xi’an, a historical city that was once the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, has long had a significant Hui Muslim population. With its ancient mosques and rich Islamic culture, Xi’an is seen as a flagship destination for Muslim travelers. Similarly, Ordos, located in Inner Mongolia, and Chongqing, with its Hui Muslim communities, offer unique cultural experiences that appeal to Muslim visitors.

The idea is simple: once Muslim travelers are passing through Hainan on their way to Saudi Arabia, China will work to entice them to stay longer or return at a later date to explore the country. By offering unique cultural experiences, halal tourism options, and a welcoming atmosphere, China hopes to position itself as a premier destination for Muslim travelers.

Conclusion: Wider Perspective of Muslim Tourism
China’s plans to transform Hainan into an Islamic pilgrimage stopover hub are no exception to international trends in the tourist industry. With Muslims traveling increasingly around the world, China is positioning itself to capture a piece of this very lucrative market. Hainan’s focus on halal-friendly tourism services, affordable flights, and cultural exposure is making it a tourist destination of preference for Muslims, and focusing on cities with deep Islamic history like Xi’an and Ordos is a bonus for China’s future plans.

By connecting mainland China to Southeast Asia, Hainan’s role as a transit point will not just boost religious tourism but also create long-term economic benefits for the region. As the world’s Muslim travel market continues to grow, China’s plan is a forward step to investing in this market and becoming a key player in the world of tourism. Its end is clear: make Hainan and China a top destination for Muslim tourists and showcase to the world its deep cultural and historical link to Islam.

Fontes: Hainan Provincial Government, Shun Tian International Travel, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.