BEIJING, July 15 — Chinese travellers splurged the most on tax-free shopping last year, accounting for 27 per cent of spending as they increased transactions by almost a third, according to Global Blue.
Russians were the second-biggest spenders with 17 per cent, though they made the most transactions, while Indonesians placed third with 4 per cent, Global Blue, the world’s biggest operator of tax-refund points, said in a study released today.
“The Chinese are easily the most numerous and highest- spending globe shoppers,” said Global Blue. “If the last decade is anything to go by, the amount spent will continue to increase, albeit at a slower rate than recent years.”
Total spending by Chinese tourists increased 20 per cent last year after tripling between 2009 and 2012. France is their favourite destination to spend in, ahead of Germany and Singapore, while fashion is the most important category, according to the study.
The number of Chinese outbound trips, excluding Hong Kong and Macau, will reach 60 million this year, from 53 million in 2013, and swell to 77 million by 2016, Global Blue estimates.
The figures are based on tax-free shopping transactions refunded by Global Blue and subsequently approved by customs, not the value of refund forms issued by retailers, which is greater, according to the study.
Global Blue estimates the total tax refund market is worth about €48 billion (RM207.91 billion) in the 37 countries where it operates. — Reuters
