As China becomes the UK’s top spending Asian market, suppliers, airlines and hotel chains head to the country to boost business .
Chinese spending in the UK is up 132% and visits are up by 21% in the first half of 2013 compared to the first half of 2012.
From November 18-20th, a China Mission to Chengdu will give UK suppliers including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Birmingham airport and Heathrow airport, the chance to meet key Chinese buyers.
Around 42% of the UK suppliers are attending for the first time, looking to work with the Chinese travel industry.
China is currently one of the fastest-growing tourism markets for the UK, with 14% year-on-year growth over the past few years.
China’s perceptions of Britain are also strong. In the latest figures from the 2013 Anholt GfK Nations Brand Index study (NBI) released last week, out of 50 nations, China continues to rank Britain’s ‘Overall Nation Brand’ in fourth place and ‘Tourism’ and ‘Culture’ both in third place.
Chinese perceptions of Britain’s ‘Historic Buildings’ and ‘Natural Beauty’ have improved this year, going up by one ranking to fourth place and one ranking to ninth place respectively.
Keith Beecham, overseas director at VisitBritain, said: "It has now overtaken America as the biggest outbound tourism market in the world – and Britain is benefitting. It is vital that our efforts cater to this growth, so this year’s China Mission is our biggest yet."
