THE UK COULD LOOK FORWARD TO A RISE IN VISITORS FROM CHINA IN THE COMING WEEK AS CHINA NATIONAL DAY AND THE GOLDEN WEEK HOLIDAY BEGIN.

Golden Week is a prime time of travel for the Chinese and more are
choosing to visit the UK than ever. 

Latest official statistics show that there were a record number of
visits from China to the UK in the first quarter of 2017. From January
to March this year, there were 54,000 visits from China, up 27% on the
same period last year, with visitors spending a record £91 million,
up 27%. 

 
Latest data from ForwardKeys shows that flight bookings from China to
the UK for September to November are tracking 10% up on the same
period last year. 

VISITBRITAIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE SALLY BALCOMBE said that China, the
world’s most valuable outbound market, was a huge tourism
opportunity for Britain.

_“We want Britain to top the list as must-go-now destination for
Chinese travellers and to give them a world-class visitor experience.
As well as making it easier to get here, with increased route
development and airline seat capacity, we’re working with our
partners to get great tactical deals in market and increasing the
services that visitors experience. _

_“With our shops, visitor attractions and accommodation offering
great value for Chinese travellers, it is a great time to come to
Britain.” _

In August this year, Britain was about 12% more affordable for
visitors from China than it was the same month in 2015.

In November, VisitBritain will lead a large scale travel trade
mission – Destination Britain China – to Guangzhou, in South
China, bringing out 65 UK tourism companies to meet with China’s top
travel agents.

Visitors from China spent, on average, almost £2,000 per visit in
Britain in 2016, more than three times the all market average. They
also stay longer, an average of 20 nights compared to the all market
average of seven and travel more widely across Britain than other
visitors.

For every 22 visits from China to the UK, one job is created in
Britain’s tourism industry*. 

VisitBritain has ambitions to double spend from Chinese visitors to
£1 billion annually by 2020. In 2016, visitors from China spent £513
million in the UK. 

Tourism is worth £127 billion to the UK economy, creating jobs and
boosting economic growth across its nations and regions.