Hong Kong and mainland tourists keep visiting UK despite terror attacks

Chinese bookings to Britain see no significant decline after 3 major terrorist strikes, UK travel industry representatives suggest

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A soldier and an armed police officer patrol near the Elizabeth Tower, also known as Big Ben, in London on May 24. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 7:03am, 6 Jun 2017Updated: 7:03am, 6 Jun 2017

Hong Kong and mainland tourists are continuing to visit the United Kingdom, apparently undeterred by recent terror attacks in the country, although analysts say the incidents may have a short-term negative impact on tourism.

Despite three major terrorist incidents in the UK - attacks in London last Saturday, a suicide bombing in Manchester in May, and a March attack on the Westminster Bridge - , various travel industry representatives suggest these events have had no significant impact on travel to the country, in terms of cancellations or changes to Chinese bookings.

Asian tourists rush into Selfridges in central London, as the department store opens its doors for a Boxing Day sale. Photo: Press Association

A spokesman for Ctrip.com, a popular Chinese booking site, said the UK remains a popular destination for Chinese outbound travellers, with “almost no cancellations” or impact to new bookings since the attacks.

A consultant with a leading tourism agency in Guangzhou said students and parents are naturally concerned about the incidents, but the concern tends not to extend beyond the preliminary stages of decision-making.