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Plans for cheap tourist visas aimed at Chinese visitors to the UK are due to be unveiled today (Wednesday).
The move by prime minister David Cameron coincides with Chinese president Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain.
The talks in Downing Street will see the two leaders agree to liberalise travel between China and Britain, with Cameron eyeing a bigger share of China’s fast-expanding tourist market, the Financial Times reported.
A new system of tourist visas will be established for Chinese visitors, who typically spend £2,688 each on an visit, totalling about £500 million a year.
This would see tourists paying just £85 for a two-year tourist visa – the same price as a current six-month visa – instead of the current price of £324.
Ministers are also exploring a pilot for a 10-year tourist visa, with unlimited multiple visits, just for China.
Beijing is expected to introduce a reciprocal arrangement for British travellers.
The number of Chinese tourists visiting Britain has doubled in the past five years, from 89,000 in 2009 to 185,000 in 2014.
Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group said: “We welcome this initiative. It’s a step in the right direction for Chinese visitors to the UK but more needs to be done to make the visa system fit for purpose.
“Streamlined processes and lower charges must be put in place to make the UK attractive to the Chinese. Otherwise we will continue to lose out on the economic benefits that these visitors can bring to our shores.”
British Air Transport Association chief executive, Nathan Stower, said: “Making it easier and more convenient for high-spending Chinese visitors to come to the UK could be the dictionary definition of a no-brainer.
“Today’s announcement is another important step in the right direction and the prime minister deserves much credit for recognising the importance of this issue.’
He added: “We will continue to encourage the government to go further to increase the competitiveness of the UK’s visa system in China and other important markets like India, including early implementation of their plans to reduce the cost of a 10-year multiple entry visit visa from to £822 to £85.
“UK airlines will continue to play their part in attracting these high value tourists to our shores.”