Tibet aims for three million tourists this year
LHASA – Tibet aims to host three million tourists this year, the regional tourism bureau has said.
Tibet received an estimated 2.2 million tourist arrivals in 2008.
Seriously affected by civil disturbance in March and the Sichuan earthquake, Tibet’s tourism suffered a downturn but is on the way back, said Qiangba Puncog, chairman of the regional government.
The civil disturbances caused a 69 percent slump in the number of tourists and a 72 percent slump in revenue in the first half of 2008.
In 2007, Tibet attracted a record high of four million tourists, reaping US$702 million.
Tibet has cut travel and hotel costs in hope of luring domestic and international visitors.
In the capital, Lhasa, many hotels have taken 20 to 70 percent off their room rates, while air tickets from Beijing to Lhasa are now available at 70 percent or 80 percent of the original fare.
Ian Jarrett
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