Chinese tourists are returning to Britain in droves, but are spending less at Heathrow establishments
Companies including Heathrow say Britain is missing out on spending from Chinese tourists returning to Europe.
Hundreds of bosses have urged the Chancellor to reintroduce a VAT-free shopping scheme.
Shops at Heathrow, which are backing the Mail’s campaign, are seeing spending from Chinese passengers fall.
Although Chinese visitor numbers are almost back to 2019 levels, spending at airport shops is below pre-pandemic levels.
In July, the number of Chinese travelers was 88 percent of 2019 levels, but spending levels were only 33 percent.
Missed out: While Chinese visitor numbers are almost back to 2019 levels, spending at airport shops is below pre-pandemic levels
The figures are another sign that Chinese tourists are spending in France and Spain, rather than Britain.
Companies fear missing out on spending during Golden Week, a Chinese holiday this week when many tourists travel to Europe.
More than four hundred leading companies have asked ministers to abolish the unpopular tourist tax. The Mail’s campaign is backed by Marks & Spencer, Harrods and Giorgio Armani.
Planet, a payment service that processes VAT refunds for European retailers, says Chinese tourists spend an average of £1,038 per transaction on goods on which they claim the tax back.