DESPITE the recent downturn in China’s economy, the Chinese are expected to remain the biggest spenders among all international visitors to Spain, revealed tourism shopping tax refund company Global Blue.

 

Luis Llorca, country manager for Spain at Global Blue, said: “Even if the economic deceleration currently affecting the Asian giant leads (the Chinese) to ease off with their spending, the average spend of a Chinese tourist will still be around 1,000 euros (US$1,130), so we can affirm they will continue to be the most profitable tourists.”

 

According to the Global Blue report, Chinese tourists increased their spending on luxury goods – mainly jewellery and watches – in Spain by 90 per cent for the year ending August.

 

On the heels of China is Argentina, boasting an 84 per cent increase in spending, followed by the North American market – the US and Canada – at 58 per cent.

 

The Russian market, however, fell 25 per cent due to the devaluation of the rouble and the ongoing confrontation between the country and the EU over Ukraine.

 

The report, which covers non-EU visitors who reclaim the European sales tax (VAT) on purchases, shows Barcelona as the most popular Spanish city for shopping with a 47 per cent share, followed by Madrid in second place with 38 per cent. These two cities also feature in the top five European cities – fifth and third respectively – for Chinese tourists for shopping, according to Global Blue.