Visit London hopes to attract more Chinese visitors to the capital after signing an agreement with the Guangzhou tourism authority.

Under the terms of the agreement, the tourism organisations will join forces to arrange promotion, events and trips to aid understanding of the countries' cultures in a bid to increase visitor numbers.

Signing the agreement at the World Travel Market exhibition, Visit London’s chief executive James Bidwell said: “London and China’s growing relationship will be of crucial importance in the next decade and beyond.

"Like the Olympic spirit which seeks to embrace the nations of the world, both London and Guangzhou are reaching out to improve mutual understanding between their people. I am delighted that will be working closely together in the coming years.”

Visit London signed a similar deal with Shanghai when the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone visited China.

Visit London to launch Europe-wide marketing campaign >>

VisitScotland.com cuts losses as internet sales boom >>

Spring campaign from Visit London >>

By Daniel Thomas

E-mail your comments to Chris Druce here.

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week - click here to subscribe and save 25%.