China has become the biggest visitor source market for Britain as the number of UK visitor visas issued to Chinese visitors in the first nine months of the year made up 17.23% of the total and higher than the number of visas issued to Indian and US nationals.
Luxury shopping Chinese tourists are highly welcomed in global destinations
The UK Home Office’s official statistics show 1.9 million visas were issued in the past 12 months and the number of Chinese tourists increased by 30%. One analyst said the sharp increase in Chinese visitors to Britain is the result of improved relations between the two nations and simplified visa application process.
In October this year, the UK government announced it will launch a two-year multiple-entry visa for Chinese tourists. Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain will also introduce a 10-year multiple-entry visa for Chinese at the same price in the future. Observers expect the visas will spur a new wave of Chinese visitors to Britain.
Elsewhere, China has also been the largest source of visitors to Russia and Vietnam for many years. In 2011, China became the largest source of visitors to the Maldives, and again in 2012, when 230,000 Chinese tourists visited the Maldives.
In 2012, China also became the largest source of visitors to Thailand with a total of 2.7 million Chinese visiting that year.
In 2013, China overtook Japan to become the largest source of visitors to Korea and in the first half of this year China overtook Korea to become the largest source of visitors to Japan.
China also became the largest source of visitors to Australia as of November 18 this year, according to a study by Tourism Australia. China will also likely surpass Australia to become the largest visitor source market to New Zealand within seven years.(Translation by David)
