The Q4 reports of 2016 revealed that Chinese tourism to the UK increased by 10% after a record breaking in 2015. An increase of 31% of bookings by Chinese tour operators to London was observed in 2017. The capital luxury quarter noticed 39% increase in tax-free shopping for designer clothes, handbags and jewellery in the same period.
It was estimated by the government backed Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing that the household income have undervalued real income by upto 20% through omitting to measure household investments.
Sabre’s report found that 90% of Chinese travellers are expected to travel often in the future.
Independent travel is taking off, around 40% of the Chinese outbound tourists travel independently, self-drive tourism, campaign and caravanning and adventure travel are the trending travel segments in China. There is a revolutionary rise in independent travel.
On an average Chinese visitors spend £2,174 on average during their stay more than 70% of the average tourist. Chinese spend on an average 15 nights as compared to others . The Chinese payment option Union Pay has accelerated more spend in the UK.
Brexit had a positive side-effect for inbound tourism , more overseas tourists visited the UK in April as the fall in sterling made a good value. Chinese visitors to London spent twice as much time and money as they do it in Europe which in turn benefited the capital’s luxury good sellers.
Visit Britain has built a very strong base of traveller’s interest, it recently partnered with Alitrip, Alibaba Group’s tourism arm and had set a British market place to showcase UK tourist providing great offerings and experiences to the Chinese consumers.
Britain is increasingly welcoming Chinese to visit the UK destination, hotels, visitors attraction and shops to adopt Chinese-friendly products and services. According to TripAdvisor China’s 2016 survey, UK was the most-researched European country.
The Houses of Parliament offers audio guides in Mandarin, organisations from the Great Western Railway to The Globe are undertaking Chinese specific marketing and promoting initiatives that encourages visitors from the Middle Kingdom.
