Published on : Thursday, May 15, 2014
Only about two decades ago the Chinese tourist simply didn’t step abroad unless it was for professional compulsion or education but now, due to rising incomes and a relaxed government restrictions, they are the biggest tourist force in world travel and tourism market — both in numbers as well as spending.
“The famous incessant British rain!” enthused guide Jason Liu, smiling heavenward as though inviting his group of 18 Chinese tourists to be grateful for the benediction. Under Big Ben, rain the turned to hail and the statue of Churchill hunched inside his black stone raincoat. We’d heard about the British weather on the journey in from our hotel on London’s outskirts. Slow traffic also allowed time for a thorough briefing on the capital’s inability to widen its roads due to public resistance, its 50-year-old battle to beat pollution and emphatic warnings against its armies of pickpockets.
As a seasoned traveller, 40-year-old Scarley, is used to keeping a close watch on her belongings in countries where policing is laxer than at home. “I’ve been to Thailand five times, to Russia, Japan, Australia and I’ve done a tour in Europe,” she explained. “I wanted to come to Britain this time because of its long history and its impact on the world.”
But her mother-in-law used the coach journey to catch up on her sleep, missed out on Jason’s romp through British history. No Romans, no sword in the stone or royal beheadings. She woke up only as we passed Hyde Park Corner and rejoined the conversation where she’d left off, telling me that of all the countries she’d visited she particularly enjoyed Thailand because of the performances they put on for tourists.
“I’m here for the clean air and old buildings,” explained retired mine manager Wang Chunjie.
But out of nearly 100 million outbound tourists in 2013, only 196,000 came to the UK. So Mr Wang had certain advices for the UK’s tourism authorities.
“Many of my friends would have come on this tour if it was easier to get a British visa.”
There’s the rub. A Schengen visa covers 26 European countries and allows Chinese visitors to make “the grand tour” of several European destinations although the UK insists on a separate visa.
Tags: Chinese tourist
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