Russian tourist flow to Hainan grows rapidly

More and more Russian tourists are choosing the Chinese island of Hainan for their beach holidays, according to the article published by ATOR (Accusation of Tour Operators of Russia). The numbers are breaking records.  From January to May 2026, Hainan welcomed 308,000 Russian tourists. This is 67.4% more than in the same period last year.  Every month of 2026 so far has seen big growth. In March, 75,900 Russian tourists came to Hainan – up 73.6% from the year before. In April, the number was 76,600, which is 67.7% higher year on year.  In May alone, 66,400 Russians visited the island. That is a 68.1% increase compared to May 2025.  

Last year 2025 was already very strong. In 2025, Hainan received a record 505,300 Russian visitors. This was 120.3% more than in 2024.  Now the island’s authorities hope to reach 700,000 Russian tourists by the end of 2026.

There are several reasons why Hainan is so popular among Russian travelers:  

• Visa-free travel – Russians do not need a visa to visit Hainan. This makes last-minute trips easy.
• Warm sea and beaches – Hainan offers a classic beach holiday with good weather.
• Hotels for all budgets – The island has many hotels, from budget to luxury.
• Shopping and excursions – Tourists can combine beach time with shopping and sightseeing.

What hotels do Russians prefer on Hainan?  According to Song Shi, a representative of the Hainan tourism department, most Russian tourists choose high-end hotels. In Sanya, a popular resort on the island:  about 47% of Russians stay in 5-star hotels, 43% choose 4-star hotels and only 10% stay in 3-star budget hotels. 

A 10-night tour to Hainan in June costs from 118,000 Russian rubles for two people. This price includes flights, accommodation in a 4-star hotel, and breakfasts. So Hainan is becoming for Russian tourists a clear alternative to other Asian beach destinations.

Photo is provided by Overseas Tour Operators Hainan Tour 2026