Terror does have a short-term effect on Chinese tourists - Shaun Rein

Shaun Rein

The recent attacks in Manchester and especially London do not seem to have a huge impact on the stream of Chinese tourists, who still put Europe and especially the UK on the top of their destinations. But tourists from China are very security conscience, says business analyst Shaun Rein, who does expect a short-term decline, he tells the South China Morning Post.

The South China Morning Post:

Shaun Rein, managing director at China Market Research, warned that the attacks could have a “devastating” impact on Chinese tourism to the UK, particularly since more than one incident has occurred recently.

Chinese visitors are “very concerned about safety and tourism”, so they are more sensitive to international events than other travelers, he said. 

Areas that previously have experienced terror incidents have seen tourism fall off for a short while but saw the negative effect mitigated months later. 

While travel to Paris plummeted from 9.8 million travelers in 2015 to 8.4 million last year in the wake of the 2015 attacks on the city, officials said in April that tourism has recovered. 

Impacts to Chinese tourism in the UK will likely not be long-term, Rein said, although it may take six months without incident to reassure tourists.

More in the South China Morning Post.

Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

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