China is to allow group tours to the UK along with the US, Australia and 75 other countries for the first time since the pandemic.

The decision was announced by China’s culture and tourism ministry on Thursday, to be effective immediately.

It began lifting restrictions on group travel in January, initially allowing group travel to 20 countries including Russia, Singapore and Thailand, and added a further 60 in March.

Prior to the pandemic, Chinese travellers spent a combined $255 billion a year overseas, more than any other nationality.

Group tours are estimated to account for about 60% of the total spend.

The absence of Chinese tourists for the past three years has been damaging for many of the UK’s tourism-dependent businesses.