Home secretary Theresa May’s move to improve the UK visa system for Chinese tourists has been welcomed by UKinbound.
The government announcement will see a simplified Approved Destination Scheme (ADS) process, including a shortened online application form and streamlined requirements.
There will also be assistance for business, with dedicated embassy staff to assist Chinese companies with their UK visa requirements.
Passport pass-back, a service for business travellers and ADS tourists which allows customers to keep their passport while their visa is being processed, is also being unveiled.
A new online visa training module for the ‘Brit Agent’ network of travel agents in China so they can better assist Chinese customers wanting to travel to the UK is also part of the developments.
UKinbound chief executive Mary Rance said: “The announcement by the home secretary is a welcome move in an area that has held the UK back from realising its full potential as a tourism destination for overseas visitors.”
But she added there is still much work to do for the government in the area of visas.
“The new year will be a chance for the UK to take full advantage of the Olympic and Diamond jubilee legacies. These new initiatives are certainly progress but they are only small steps in one market.
“UKinbound will continue to work in partnership with government, through our involvement in a visa steering group, to remove as many of the operational barriers that remain in place for overseas visitors wishing to visit the UK, and so that the UK economy can benefit from the considerable revenues that overseas visitors bring into the country when they visit.”