Hainan duty-free shops bring in $818 million

Revenue at the two duty-free shops in Hainan province hit 5.02 billion yuan ($818.76 million) and the stores attracted 2.06 million people in the first half of 2013, the Xinhua Agency reported.

The offshore duty-free policy, introduced in 2011, has helped boost the province's tourism income by 17-percent year-on-year in 2012.

Every traveler to the island aged 16 or above can spend up to 8,000 yuan on duty free twice a year.

Residents also can also avail of duty-free shopping covering 21 categories, including cosmetics and watches.