Why this Yorkshire chippy is being inundated with Chinese tourists

A fish and chips shop in Yorkshire has seen a surge in popularity among Chinese tourists (Photo: Shutterstock)

We all know that fish and chips are a fast-food favourite in Britain. But now a chippie in North Yorkshire has become a hit destination for Chinese tourists.

Scotts Fish and Chips near York is reporting a 15-fold increase in Chinese visitors through its doors, and has even translated its menu into Mandarin and Cantonese to cater for the holidaymakers.

The passion for the chippy has been put down to the fish and chips Chinese president Xi Jinping shared with then Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015.

Now the fast food outlet on the A64 at Bilborough is welcoming coach loads of Chinese tourists to dine at its premises.

Yorkshire has become a popular destination among Chinese tourists (Photo: Shutterstock)

Casting the net world-wide

More than 100 Chinese tourists are visiting Scotts a week, manager Roxy Vasai told the BBC.

"We look out for a coach and when they're coming we shout 'they're here, there are 20, 30, 40, let's make it ready for them'," said Ms Vasai.

"We are very impressed by the Chinese tourists. They are very friendly, smiley and happy."

[caption id="attachment_12664" align="alignnone" width="640"] Yorkshire has become a popular destination among Chinese tourists (Photo: Shutterstock)[/caption]

Owner Tony Webster believes that Xi Jinping sampling fish and chips has put the food-stuff firmly on the menu for Chinese tourists, and they are now promoting the restaurant to travel companies in the nation.

Casting its net a little further afield to catch the trade from China, Scotts has launched a Chinese website and messaging app on one of the East Asian country's most popular social media platforms.

Yorkshire and the UK popular with China

It is estimated that the number of Chinese visitors to Yorkshire has increased 100 per cent year on year since 2012.

York in particular has benefited from this boom, becoming one of the most popular destinations in the region and country for Chinese holidaymakers.

Tourism from the nation has grown considerably in value to the UK economy as a whole.

And the county appears to be embracing its new found popularity with the east Asian nation, as proven by the local tourist board's translation of popular Yorkshire attractions into Mandarin and Cantonese.