RTX12BKK.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Tibet reported a surge of visitors last year as the Chinese plateau region attracted more than 15 million tourists, up more than 20 percent, according to the local government.
According to data, 9.5 million tourists trooped to the regional capital of Lhasa, giving the region 11.2 billion yuan ($1.79 billion) of tourism revenue.
Transport infrastructure including roads, rail and air connectivity helped the tourists go around the Chinese plateau region smoothly.
Chinese tourists make up the large number of arrivals.
Tourism is a pillar industry in Tibet; 20 percent of the region's gross domestic product comes from tourism revenues. The June-September period is high season for the region's tourism.
The "Sunning of the Buddha" ceremony in the 600-year-old Drepung Monastery is the highlight of Horse-racing Festival and the Shoton festival. Data revealed that 1.4 million tourists visited Lhasa in the week-long Shoton festival in June, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
As the winter is coming, the region gives 50-percent discount on the entrance tickets of major attractions to boost tourism. Many hotels also offer discounts of up to 60 percent.
Tibet is expected to welcome 17 million tourists in 2015 as the local government vows to improve services and develop family inns in its rural villages.
Last year, the region saw a record of 3.15 million air passengers, up 14 percent from 2013, according to the civil aviation authorities.
A number of trade fairs, entertainment and sports events were held in the region, which attracted more tourists and potential investors to the plateau region, Shanghai Daily reported.
