Why Thousands of Chinese Tourists Started Coming to a Random British Village

Summary

Kidlington, a small village in England with a population of just over 13,000, unexpectedly became a hotspot for Chinese tourists in 2016. The tourists, often visiting random houses and trampolines, seemed to have no clear reason for their interest. The mystery is solved when it’s revealed that Chinese tour companies, offering cheaper alternatives to Blenheim Palace tours, used Kidlington as a stopover due to its proximity to both the palace and Bicester Village. The story highlights the global impact of Chinese tourism and the adaptations made by local businesses and tourist destinations to cater to their needs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kidlington, England, is a small, unremarkable village with 13,723 people and very few notable features, like a Domino's Pizza with poor reviews.
• 😀 Despite its lack of attractions, Kidlington became a surprise tourism hotspot in 2016 when large groups of Chinese tourists began visiting.
• 😀 Tourists in Kidlington mostly took photos of random houses and residents' gardens, while ignoring the actual historical landmark, the 13th-century church.
• 😀 There were no clear explanations for the sudden influx of tourists, leading to theories such as Kidlington being mistaken for 4 Privet Drive (from Harry Potter) or being featured in an episode of 'Inspector Morse'.
• 😀 Some tourists explained their visits as a way to experience 'the true sense of this country,' but no one knew for sure why they chose Kidlington.
• 😀 The script provides context about Chinese tourism, explaining how Chinese citizens were only allowed to travel abroad after 1995, leading to an explosion of tourism spending.
• 😀 In 2019, Chinese tourists spent $260 billion abroad, making China the biggest tourism spender globally, far surpassing the United States.
• 😀 To cater to Chinese tourists, businesses worldwide have adapted by offering services like Chinese-style restaurants, tea kettles in hotel rooms, and beds arranged according to feng shui principles.
• 😀 Bicester Village, an outlet mall near Kidlington, generates 40% of its revenue from Chinese tourists, with features like Mandarin menus and Chinese-style food stands.
• 😀 The mystery of Chinese tourists in Kidlington is connected to the nearby Blenheim Palace, where tourists could save money by skipping a guided tour, prompting tour companies to drop them off in Kidlington.
• 😀 Chinese tour companies used Kidlington as a strategic drop-off point, positioning it as an authentic English experience before tourists continued their journey to Blenheim Palace and Bicester Village.

Q & A

Why is Kidlington, England considered a tourism hotspot despite being an unremarkable place?

Kidlington became a tourism hotspot in 2016 due to an influx of Chinese tourists who were drawn to the area, though they often overlooked its historical and architectural sites. Instead, they took selfies in front of ordinary homes and interacted with local residents in quirky ways, sparking curiosity about the reasons behind their visits.

What were some of the theories explaining the Chinese tourist interest in Kidlington?

Some theories suggested that Kidlington was mistaken for the location of the fictional 4 Privet Drive, the Dursley home from Harry Potter. Another theory pointed to its appearance in the British TV show 'Inspector Morse,' which is popular with Chinese audiences.

How did the Chinese tourists themselves explain their visits to Kidlington?

The tourists, when surveyed, stated they were there to experience 'the true sense of this country,' though their explanation was vague and did not directly address the peculiar nature of their interest in Kidlington.

How did the phenomenon of Chinese tourism evolve in recent decades?

Chinese tourism exploded after the mid-90s when China relaxed its travel restrictions, allowing citizens to travel to approved destinations. This led to a surge in international tourism spending, with China becoming the world's largest tourism spender by 2019.

What impact has Chinese tourism had on local businesses and destinations around the world?

Destinations like Las Vegas and Bicester Village have adapted to cater to Chinese tourists by offering amenities such as Chinese restaurants, slippers in hotel rooms, and even altering feng shui in hotel rooms. These changes aim to make Chinese visitors feel more at home and enhance their travel experience.

How does the proximity of Kidlington to Bicester Village relate to the influx of Chinese tourists?

Kidlington’s location, just eight miles from Bicester Village, a popular shopping destination for Chinese tourists, likely contributed to the increased interest in the village. Tourists may have visited Kidlington either as a stopover or a place to rest during their visits to Bicester Village.

What role did Blenheim Palace play in attracting Chinese tourists to Kidlington?

Blenheim Palace, located near Kidlington, became a key factor when Chinese tour companies offered expensive tours of the palace. Tourists who didn't purchase the tour figured out they could visit Blenheim independently and save money, leading tour companies to find nearby locations like Kidlington to drop off tourists.

Why were Chinese tourists interested in visiting Blenheim Palace specifically?

Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Winston Churchill, a figure of historical significance. Chinese tourists were likely attracted to the palace due to its association with Churchill and its grandeur, even though some tourists sought to avoid paying for official tours by visiting independently.

What is the significance of Storyblocks in relation to the video production?

Storyblocks is a stock footage service that provides unlimited access to a wide range of media assets. The creator of the video used Storyblocks to save time and money by utilizing its vast library of footage and templates, making video production more efficient and accessible.

How has the rise of Chinese tourism impacted businesses in places like Bicester Village?

Bicester Village has seen a significant rise in revenue, with 40% of its income now coming from Chinese tourists. The village has adapted by introducing Chinese-style food stands, special sales for Chinese New Year, and Mandarin menus at local businesses to cater to Chinese visitors' preferences.