Chinese tourists have, again, topped a list of big spenders in France. A record 57.4 million Chinese took out-bound trips in 2010 - the fourth-largest number worldwide according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization - an increase of 20.4 percent from the previous year.

The number is expected to rise to 65 million this year.

A report by Global Blue has found that Chinese tourists spent an average of 1,300 euros ($1,900) every time they hit the shops in France.

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It was the second year running that China topped the list and the latest figure represented a 60 percent increase on 2009, the report by the tourist tax refund services provider said.

Overall, tourist spending in France rose 35 percent in 2010 to 3 billion euros, with the Chinese spending 650 million. The report's figures are based on requests for value added tax refunds, which can be made for any purchase above 175 euros.

Russian tourists remained in second place with 220 million euros in purchases in France last year, a jump of 30 percent from 2009. Brazilians followed with expenditure in French shops rising 56 percent to 100 million euros.

Chinese accounted for 16 percent of sales to tourists from outside the European Union, followed by 10 percent to Russians, 9 percent to both Middle Eastern and Japanese shoppers and 6 percent to those from the United States.

Luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Dior were among the biggest beneficiaries, with their products especially popular with tourists from China.

The report echoed a similar conclusion in the UK's annual GlobeShopper Calendar survey last month.

Boston Consulting Group Inc forecast that spending by Chinese tourists will jump five times to 1.5 trillion yuan in 2020, triple that of Japanese visitors.