Boost in spending by Chinese visitors to UK
Chinese visitors to the UK spent an average of £737 per trip last year, a year-on-year increase of 50%.
However, due to the UK's restrictive and complicated visa policy for Chinese nationals, the UK attracted just 7% of all Chinese visitors to Europe.
The Chinese International Travel Monitor report shows that 62% of Chinese residents, particularly young travelers who book online, book holidays on an individual basis.
Nigel Pockington, chief marketing officer at Hotels.com, said that with 100m Chinese citizens predicted to travel abroad each year by 2015, the boom in Chinese tourism offers a huge opportunity for the UK.
"However, with our research showing that a fifth of Chinese travellers cite ease of visa application as a key consideration, the UK's system needs to be simplified. As with other European countries like France and Italy, the UK should at least consider making applications forms available in Mandarin to capitalise on the rise in independent travellers.
"Aside from benefiting the UK's tourism industry, relaxing restrictions on visas could provide a big boost for retailers and the wider economy."
Home Secretary Theresa May promises ‘faster service' on visas for Chinese visitors >>
Government announces VIP mobile visa service for Chinese visitors >>