Chinese tourists in the UK expected to grow by 43 per cent this year
They are forecast to spend £1bn on British high streets and leisure destinations
British retail is expected to welcome a 43 per cent increase in Chinese tourists this year and spend a forecast £1 billion on high streets and leisure destinations according to Visit Britain.
Expedia data shows that in the first quarter of the year there has been an increase in the number of Chinese tourists looking to travel to the UK, with notable growth of more than 10 per cent in Manchester and 15 per cent in Edinburgh.
Visit Britain said “this may be just the start of a rapid upward trend” in Chinese high net worth individuals visiting the UK.
The US trade war has seen the country move from fifth most popular destination for overseas holidays for Chinese travellers to ninth, according to China’s biggest travel agent CTrip.
At the same time Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are seeing a fall in numbers after banning Huawei 5G technology.
So far the UK is the only major western power to give the greenlight to Huawei 5G technology, and with the exception of Italy, is the only G7 nation to approve China’s strategic Belt and Road economic development plan.
These factors, along with a fall in the value of sterling, are not lost on a Chinese public that has always been enthusiastic about UK culture, heritage and brands.
By Elias Jahshan