UK welcome mat for Chinese tourists

A Chinese customer shops at Harrods department store in London on December 10, 2012 two weeks ahead of Christmas. AFP

Chinese shoppers have become the biggest consumers of luxury goods in the world, accounting for 29 percent of global consumption, said James Macdonald, head of research for Savills in China, citing figures from Bain & Co.

However, China's retail stores account for only 7 percent of the sales, with only one-third of purchases by Chinese taking place on the Chinese mainland.

Another one-third takes place in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao, and the remainder is in other countries.

The reasons include the relative strength of the renminbi, the lower price point of goods and broader product range in overseas markets, and increased travels. "These factors are likely to remain for the foreseeable future, driving consumption in overseas markets by Chinese shoppers," Macdonald said.

A record 291,919 visas were issued to Chinese visitors last year, up 39 percent year-on-year, according to a statement on the website of the UK government in February, citing the Office of National Statistics.

"The UK saw a larger rise in visit visas from China than from anywhere else in the world during 2013. And despite the significant increase in demand, the UK processed visas in an average of 7.2 days. Of those who applied across all visa categories, on average, 96 percent were successful," said the statement.

"The increase demonstrates that the new UK Visas & Immigration Service's commitment to customer service is having an effect."

British Ambassador to China Sebastian Wood described the statistics as both striking and encouraging, adding that the visa system is supporting the growth of the UK's economic, educational and tourism relationship with China.

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