CHINA. Haikou Meilan International Airport (Meilan Airport), operated by Hainan Holdings, launched its inaugural summer carnival on 1 August in the Terminal 1 departure hall, themed ‘Cool Comfort, Captured Joy’.
The event is in support of the 2025 (26th) Hainan International Tourism Island Carnival.
The carnival and the Meilan Airport promotion are designed to boost consumption by stimulating spending and fostering a new cultural-tourism ecosystem described as ‘island-wide consumption, universal revelry’.
The initiative advances Haikou’s vision to become a ‘fashionable and dynamic consumption city’, the airport company said.
Police ‘Tea Station’ IP proves a crowd pleaser
As the event got underway, long queues formed at the Police ‘Tea Station’ interactive booth hosted by Haikou Traffic Police in Terminal 1.
Traffic police ambassadors led passengers in engaging Q&A sessions on traffic rules. Participants answering correctly earned chances to win limited-edition traffic police bear plush toys and complimentary cups of Hainan’s signature Partridge Tea to offer relief from the heat.
“We never expected such a fun activity while waiting for our flight,” commented Ms Zhang, a tourist from Beijing travelling with her family. “My child was thrilled to interact with officers, learn new things and get a cute bear. Tasting Hainan’s special tea was wonderful.”
“Through this lighthearted approach, we aim to make legal education accessible and integrate safety awareness into daily life,” a Haikou Traffic Police representative commented.
To boost commercial vitality, Sino-Singapore (Hainan) Airport Commercial Management Co (a Meilan Airport-Changi Airport joint venture) curated the ‘Cool Comfort, Captured Joy’ themed market.
Meilan Airport’s cultural brand ‘Meilan Gift: Control Tower IP’ debuted during the event, offering commemorative items via on-site interactions.
Chilling out
Terminal merchants simultaneously launched an array of immersive tasting experiences and promotional benefits, including complimentary duty-free ice cream and cold beverage discounts. This transformed the space into a summer oasis blending comfort and entertainment for travellers, Meilan Airport said.
“This summer, Sino-Singapore Airport Commercial will leverage the dual opportunity offered by the peak travel season and the Carnival, integrating IP and merchant resources to energise the consumer market and elevate passenger experiences,” stated a company representative.
Amid the vibrant market experience, lively dialect folk songs have been resonating through the terminal, infusing global travellers with authentic Hainan warmth.
Actors surprised and delighted crowds as ‘Dairy Dragon’, ‘Nezha’ and other costumed characters during interactive patrols.
Complementing the festivities:
- The airport medical centre operated a public health booth, offering free blood pressure checks and travel health guidance while serving summer herbal tea – embodying the ‘Meilan Care’
- The terminal zone hosted a DIY Calligraphy Fan activity, enabling travellers to hand-paint personalised fans as unique Hainan mementos before departure.
Converting summer heat into spending heat
Aligned with major Carnival events, Meilan Airport’s commercial zone launched a range of exclusive discounts and promotions designed to attract high-quality travellers and boost revenue.
“This carnival marks a key step in deep integration of culture, tourism and commerce,” said a Sino-Singapore Airport Commercial representative.
“We’ll continue introducing Changi Airport’s management expertise while leveraging Hainan’s cultural-tourism resources.” 🏝️
