Home Secretary launches simplified visa procress for Chinese visitors
A new scheme to attract Chinese visitors to the UK will allow them to apply for visas in one single process.
Home Secretary Theresa May said the scheme will create "a one-stop shop for Chinese visitors to the UK and Europe, whether they are coming here for business or leisure".
Chinese travellers will be able to get an UK or European visa by booking a single appointment at one of the British visa centres in Beijing, Guangzhou or Shanghai.
According to the ONS, Chinese business travellers in the UK drop 17% in 2014. Separate data from MasterCard expects London will have 18.8m international visitors in 2015.
Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association 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.
"Today’s announcement is another step in the right direction to drive growth and jobs at a crucial time in the UK’s recovery."