The UK’s complex visa system could be deterring thousands of Chinese tourists, according to a new study.

Hotels.com surveyed 3,000 Chinese residents and discovered that 19 per cent felt that the ease of applying for a visa is a top deciding factor when planning a trip abroad.

The UK is at risk of missing out on the China market to parts of Europe that have signed the Schengen agreement – a deal to provide a single visa for travel to 26 countries in Europe.