Grant Hearn, Travelodge Chief Executive comments:
This is great news for our industry and the British economy. We have been working very hard alongside the BHA for a change in simplifying the UK visa process, especially for new emerging markets. The initiatives introduced today will play a significant part in helping our economy recover, whilst creating new jobs, boosting growth and helping put Great Britain back on the world-wide tourist map.
We are especially pleased that the world’s fastest growing tourism market, China, has been acknowledged as part of the new plans. Simplifying the visa system for Chinese visitors shows the UK is open for business and now we can confidently compete with our European neighbours by attracting a growing tourist market with huge spending power. This will undoubtedly create new employment opportunities.