IAG criticises Government for Chinese visa delay
British Airways parent IAG has hit out at the Government for its delay in introducing a 10-year visa for Chinese visitors.
The plan was announced in October 2015 during a Chinese state visit to the UK but still hasn’t been implemented.
IAG chief executive Willie Walsh said: "It’s a missed opportunity that the trial, launched a year ago, has still not begun.
"The US already has a standard 10-year visa which costs around £100 while Britain’s costs £800. The Government needs to match its rhetoric on China with action."
He said the UK export market to China was worth nearly £13 billion in 2015.
"China is the world’s second largest economy and we need to do all we can to encourage these trade links. Making it easier for Chinese businesses and tourists to come to Britain is key to that," he said.
In 2015, the top European destinations for Chinese visitors were France (733,328) and Italy (524,929), compared to 491,000 who came to the UK.
According to the Government’s figures each Chinese visitor to the UK in 2015 spent £2,174 on average – more than twice the outlay of Americans.
Walsh continued: "It’s not surprising the UK is significantly behind France and Italy in terms of Chinese visitors. They are generous spenders so this hits our retail and hotel sectors hard.
"Streamlined processes and lower charges must be put in place to make the current visa system fit for purpose. The Government needs to get its act together to make Britain attractive to the Chinese or we will continue to lose out on the economic benefits that they can bring to the UK.
"This is even more critical at a time when we need to ensure we can trade effectively post Brexit."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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