China

The International Passenger Survey (IPS) was suspended on 16 March 2020 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic until the start of 2021. The ONS have made every effort to produce high-quality estimates for the periods when IPS data is not being collected but have not been able to produce a full set of results. See the 2020 inbound page for more information. Data for 2021 and 2022 was also impacted by COVID-19, more information can be found on the About IPS page.

Due to the above, the latest full year IPS data below is from 2019. You can access data detailed data from 2020 onwards on the latest annual page.

Visitor characteristics

Chinese visitors tend to be younger than the average visitor to the UK: 57% of visits from China were made by people aged 16-34 years old in 2022.
Those visiting Britain from China are more likely than average to be making their first visit: only 29% of the holidaymakers from China departing the UK in 2015 (excluding British expats) had already visited the UK within the past 10 years.
The vast majority of holiday visitors from China are Chinese nationals.
78% of departing Chinese visitors (excluding British expats) were ‘extremely likely’ to recommend Britain for a visit in 2017.

Popular activities

Dining in a restaurant

Sightseeing of Famous Buildings/ Monuments

Went Shopping

Global context


Measure	2019
International tourism expenditure (US$bn)	254.6
Global rank for international tourism expenditure	1
Number of outbound visits incl. Hong Kong and Macao (m)	104.2
Number of outbound visits excl. Hong Kong and Macao (m)	74.8
Most visited destination overall	Hong Kong
Most visited destination overall (excl. Hong Kong and Macao)	Thailand
Most visited destination in Western Europe	France

Key demographic and economic data


Measure	2023
Population (m)	1,426.6
GDP per capita PPP (US$)	19,531
Annual average GDP growth over past decade (%)	6.0
Annual GDP growth (%)	5.5

China Market Profile (PDF, 5.7MB)

China Market Snapshot (PDF, 1.68MB)

China Aviation Profile (PDF, 1.39MB)

China COVID-19 Travel Sentiment (PDF, 479KB, Published April 2022)

Find out where visitors from China to the UK reside in their own country (Excel, 176KB, Published 2017)

Find out whether the visa application process is a barrier for potential Chinese visitors (PDF, 1.37MB, Published 2012)

Please note that the reports below have not been updated with the 2009-2018 revised IPS data. For more information, please visit about the international passenger survey

Learn more about the role culture plays for Chinese visitors (PDF, 3.14MB, Published 2016)

Exchange rate

1 GBP = 8.8938 CNY

As of 26 September 2023

Retrieved from the Bank of England

Inbound visits to Britain from China

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Number of visits

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Total expenditure (GBP)

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Average length of stay (Nights)

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Average spend per visit (GBP)

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What Chinese people think about Britain

Chinese perceptions of Britain increased in the 2022 Anholt Nation Brands Index, ranking it 6th overall compared to 60 nations; a increase of 4 ranks compared to 2021.
Britain was ranked 5th for 'contemporary culture' and 'vibrant cities', as well as 'would visit if money was no object'.
Chinese respondents associate Britain highly with ‘museums’, and also 'opera', and 'films'. Chinese respondents expect that a trip to Britain would be 'romantic' and 'relaxing'

Caring for visitors

It is important to appreciate cultural differences
Visitors appreciate ‘support’ in the form of Chinese language facilities (signage, Mandarin-speaking staff, Chinese TV channels, for example)
Spicy food is a favourite, and if the younger and more aflluent Chinese travellers are more exposed to the Western culture and food, there is still a preference for Chinese food among many
Mobile payments are becoming more and more popular in China, and travellers appreciate being able to use those abroad as well

The leisure & travel trade

If the FIT (Free and Independent Travel) segment keeps growing, travel agents still play a vital role in China, especially among the first-time long-haul travellers for their convenience and help they provide on language barriers or visa processes
There are 200+ recognised travel agents under the ‘Approved Destination Status’ agreement in China: they are the only agents who can process leisure ADS visa applications, and thus operate leisure tours
If visiting the trade in China it is important to take an interpreter/guide, to prepare business cards to exchange, and to be punctual and well-prepared

Access to Britain from China


Measure	2023
Weekly aircraft departures	57
Weekly seat capacity	16,244
Airports with direct routes in China	10
Airports with direct routes in Britain	4

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a 78% reduction in direct seat capacity from China to the UK in 2020. 2021 was 95% behind pre-COVID levels, and 2022 was 97% behind pre-pandemic levels.
In 2023, capacity has shown signs of a quick recovery, now at 70% of pre-pandemic levels.
The current reduced rate of Air Passenger Duty for visitors departing Britain for China is £87.

Markets

China