Tibet's tourism magnified by Qinghai-Tibet railway

The tourism development in China's Tibet Autonomous Region has been growing faster than what officials expected, said a veteran Tibetan official here on Wednesday.

Ragdi, former vice-chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, made the remark at a meeting of the Counseling Committee on Development of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

"We have underestimated the driving effect of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway on the promotion of Tibet's tourist industry," said Ragdi at the meeting.

Tibet received four million tourists from both home and abroad in 2007, up 60 percent from 2006 and about one million more than estimated, according to official figures.

"The size of tourist inflow has exceeded our target of tourism development for the year 2010," he said, admitting the local development planning has been too conservative and needed to be readjusted more timely and scientifically.

The riot erupted in Lhasa last Friday would inevitably dampen the region's booming tourism industry this year, as the local social stability has been seriously disturbed, according to local tourist authorities.

At least 13 people died in the violence and rioters set fire to more than 300 locations, including shops, homes, banks, government offices, and smashed and burned 56 vehicles, mainly in downtown Lhasa.

Tour groups are still allowed to travel to Tibet, but the Tourism Bureau of Tibet has suggested they postpone travel plans.

"Tourism facilities around the scenic spots, such as the Jokhang temple, have suffered considerable damages in the riot, lowering the reception capability," said Wang Songping, deputy director of the tourism bureau, adding the regional government had not imposed a ban on travelers to the region.

"Of course, this would affect Tibet's tourism to a certain extent, but it's only temporary," said Wang, noting the tourist authorities are still very optimistic of fulfilling the goal set for 2008 -- to receive 5.5 million tourists this year.

The remote southwestern region has seen a tourism boom in the past few years, especially since the Qinghai-Tibet railway began operation in July 2006.

The 1,956-km Qinghai-Tibet Railway has profound impact on Tibet's development since it ended the history of the landlocked region without railway.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2008)