Duty free giant DFS is splashing out on a seven-star luxury retail and entertainment enclave in Yalong Bay in Sanya, Hainan.
The site will feature more than 1,000 luxury brands across fashion
and apparel, beauty and fragrances, watches and jewellery, wines and
spirits, fine dining, food and beverages.
The DFS Group is privately held, and majority owned by the world’s
largest luxury conglomerate, Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH),
alongside DFS co-founder and shareholder Robert Miller.
The Sanya project, due to open in 2026, is estimated to attract more than 16 million visitors a year by 2030.
“DFS Yalong Bay is an incredibly exciting development for DFS, and I
believe for the Chinese travel industry,” said Benjamin Vuchot, DFS
chairman and CEO, speaking in Cannes.
“Think the glamour and experience of Shanghai, Macau, Dubai and Las Vegas: now add Sanya to these dream destinations.”
DFS Yalong Bay will feature over 1,000 luxury brands including iconic labels from the LVMH Group.
Vuchot said DFS Yalong Bay is the latest in a series of commitments DFS is making in China.
“With Hainan on course to become one of the world’s largest luxury
retail markets in the next five years, DFS Yalong Bay will be a critical
addition to DFS’ global portfolio. We expect tourism to grow
significantly as investments in passenger airport capacity, high speed
roads and port capacity will also boost tourism potential in Hainan.”
Vuchot added, “DFS Yalong Bay will be the only luxury retail property
within Yalong Bay. We have tremendous excitement and optimism about
this project.
“We believe that Hainan is well-poised to become one of the fastest
growing luxury markets in the world, maximising both domestic and
international consumption.”
Travellers can now choose to sail to Sanya aboard Resorts World Cruises' Resorts World One, with 2- and 3-night cruises departing from Hong Kong every two weeks on Wednesdays and Sundays.