According to the China daily news on March 13, Tibet's tourist industry will open up further to the outside world and attract more affordable China travel packages visitors from abroad as of this summer. This is the latest highlight regarding Tibet travel news and travel agencies will begin to accept tour booking from April 5th onward.

Let's check out the details below!

"The autonomous region has to further open up to ensure the tourism industry develops in the right direction," said Padma Choling, chairman of the region's legislature.

"Tourism will further open up to the world from this summer," he told China Daily in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the annual session of the 12th National People's Congress. This summer will be the starting point, as conditions in winter are harsh. But Padma Choling said the opening-up should abide by State foreign policies first and "fit the local situation".

In 2012, the region attracted 10.58 million visitors, an increase of 21.7 percent year-on-year, generating 12.64 billion yuan ($2 billion) in income.

Tibet has a host of tourist attractions, including the highest peak in the world top 10 China tour packages, Qomolangma, known as Mount Everest in the West; the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon; and the Potala Palace.

Given the need to protect the unique lifestyles of ethnic groups, cultural relics and local ecology, foreign tourists must apply for entry permits. In 2010, former foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said the region could not cater to all tourists because of restrictions such as natural conditions. As a result, authorities began managing the flow by introducing entry permits, he said.

"Many foreigners, including reporters, have traveled to Tibet popular China tours for work, tours and interviews. I believe we'll see more foreigners coming to Tibet as the region develops and conditions improve constantly." The Tibet tourism bureau has set up offices in many places, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, the United States and Japan, organizing group tours for foreigners and answering inquires.

tags: China tourism