Tibet to receive 10 million tourists this year

Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region is expected to receive a record 10 million-plus tourists this year, according to a local tourism official.
Yu Yungui, Head of the Communist Party committee of the region's tourism bureau explained these tourists will bring revenue of 12 billion yuan ($1.89 billion), or 17% of the region's gross domestic product (GDP).
Yu said more than seven million domestic or foreign tourists visited Tibet from January to August, up more than 25% year on year. Tourism revenue over the past eight months jumped 30% year on year to 7.5 billion yuan.
Yu attributed the boom to tour activities organised this year have run under the themes of Tibetan culture and scenic beauty, such as mountains, snowy landscapes and climate.
Yu added that large-scale advertising and various festivals, such as Tibetan New Year, have also helped attract tourists.
China's top tourism official recently pledged special support to further boost tourism in Tibet and make it a "pillar industry" for the plateau region.
National Tourism Administration Head Shao Qiwei is to enable special policies for Tibet to help it develop infrastructure, attract investment and visitors, improve services and develop key tourist destinations.
Shao told a tourism workshop held in Lhasa, capital of the autonomous region "Tibet has abundant tourism resources, many of which are so unique and appealing to both domestic and foreign visitors. The prospect for development is huge."
Shao said developing tourism can also significantly increase the income of rural Tibetans and bring viability to Tibet's economy.
Nearly 300,000 people in the region are employed in the tourism sector with fixed assets exceeding 25 billion yuan, according to Chinese Government figures.
Tibet is situated on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, an area predominantly populated by ethnic Tibetans and prevailed by Buddhist culture. Signature tourist destinations include the world's highest peak Mount Qomolangma, the sacred lake Nam Co and Tibetan Buddhism heritage sites such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Zhaxi Lhunbo Monastery.

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