Tourism in Tibet sets records in August

According to Deputy Director Sun Yongping of the Tibet Regional Tourism Bureau, before 2010 starts more than 1.37 million tourists moved in August in Tibet, this Himalaya area is expected to receive 5 million tourists.

The tourism bureau released the statistics which showed that Tibet had attracted an estimated 4.09 million foreign tourists and Chinese from January to August 2009, a 2.5 time increase over 2008. In the past eight months, a total income of 3.23 billion yuan was generated by the tourism industry. Tibet, in August, saw the highest count of tourists in a month with 1.37 million. Also, the total income of tourism reached to an estimated 1 billion yuan.

Most foreign tourists come from Japan, Germany, and US. According to the official, the best choices for foreign tourists are still the Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace.

Also, Sun predicts that next year, Tibet tourism will reach easily its target to have 6 million tourists. Tibet has necessary infrastructure and unique tourism resources to attract more tourists to support the economic development of the region, he explained. Its mild or cold climate and its location on mountain also makes it perfect for camping with friends.

The official said the tourism industry had given advantages to the Tibetans. Now, of the 34,979 people, 4,664 families had engaged in the tourism industry. Every family can obtain a yearly income of about 13,066 yuan. Tourism had contributed greatly to several Tibetans.