The most recent VisitBritain national tourism report shows overseas visits from China during the first six months of 2017 stood at 115,000, up 47 percent year-on-year.

Chinese visitors spent 231 million pounds in the UK, which was up 54 percent compared with the first six months of 2016.

The numbers were released at a three-day promotion activity in Guangzhou held from Nov. 21 to 24. Over 60 tourism providers from the UK promoted their country as a tourist destination to 75 Chinese counterparts from 13 cities

China is the most valuable outbound tourist market and there is great potential in China for the UK’s tourism growth, said VisitBritain Director Patricia Yates.

“To woo more Chinese tourists, we will show the Chinese tourism operators the amazing characters of UK’s tourism sector, such as luxury train trips, delicacies and other attractions,” Patricia Yates said.

In 2016, each Chinese visitor spent an average of 1,972 pounds in the UK, which was triple that of the average for other foreign visitors. Also in 2016, Chinese tourists stayed an average of 20 nights in the UK, while the average duration for other foreign visitors was seven nights.