The UK tourism industry has welcomed moves by governments to further streamline the visa application processes for Chinese visitors to the UK and Europe.
From July 1, the UK-Belgian Visitor Service will allow Chinese customers to submit their visa applications for both the UK and Belgium during a single visit to a UK visa application centre.
The new scheme means visitors from China will be able to get a visa for both the UK and wider Schengen area – allowing access to the 26 European countries that have abolished passport and any other type of border control at their common borders — without having to visit two different application centres.
The decision has been welcomed by UKinbound and the British Hospitality Association, which have been campaigning for such a move.
The BHA said the UK loses out on an estimated £1.2 billion a year because it attracts far fewer Chinese tourists than its major European neighbours.
BHA chief executive Ufi Ibrahim said: "By 2023, China will be the largest outbound tourism economy in the world so it is important that the UK makes every effort to welcome the Chinese traveller into our country.
"The Government’s decision to streamline the visa application process for Chinese visitors with Schengen is a long-awaited victory for common sense, our economy and the hospitality and tourism industry.
"The BHA with its partners in the UKCVA has for many years has called on the Home Office to create a shared visa application centre for UK and Schengen visas – a one stop shop – to simplify administration and make the UK an accessible destination.
"There could be no better time to implement this change as recent ONS data showed a 17% drop in 2014 of Chinese business travellers compared to 2013. Today’s announcement is another step in the right direction to drive growth and jobs at a crucial time in the UK’s recovery."
