Tourism provides 2.8 percent of the UK's gross domestic product. But some smaller cities are beginning to feel overwhelmed by the number of tourists, and that the costs are beginning to outweigh the benefits.

Cities such as Oxford and Cambridge are usually packed with tourists during the summer months, and local officials have started to complain.

The university cities attract many Chinese students, and Chinese tourists are visiting the UK in increasing numbers. But the complaints are directed at tourists in general, not a specific nationality.