Tibet - some travel companies canceling tours over violence

Americans are being urged to avoid Tibet, where the biggest protests against Chinese rule in nearly two decades have turned violent, and some U.S.-based tour operators are canceling trips there.

In a warden message, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing said, “Americans who were planning on travel to Tibet are advised to defer travel at this time.” It also urged U.S. citizens in the capital, Lhasa, to remain indoors and stay clear of demonstrations.

As of today, the U.S. State Department had not issued a travel warning or alert for Tibet. “We’re continuing to monitor it, ” said Steve Royster, spokesman for the department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, which posts these notices on its website.

Some Tibetan tourist sites, including Jokhang Temple in Lhasa and several monasteries, were closed, said Sophia Luk, president of Pacific Delight Tours in New York. She said the company has notified customers going to Tibet this month, and they are postponing their trips.

Max Ali, director of operations at SITA World Tours in Encino, said, “Our office in Beijing advised us to avoid sending any tours into Tibet until the end of April,” due to current tensions.

Travcoa, a tour company in Newport Beach, California, today canceled a 17-day, Tibet-focused trip leaving April 21, said Louise Shumbris, vice president of product operations and development. “We don’t feel secure in guaranteeing the comfort or safety at this moment,” she explained.

In another barrier to travel, China told tour operators this week that Mt. Everest is closed to climbers until May 10. China said its action was based on environmental concerns, but analysts see it as an attempt to prevent climbers from unfurling a pro-independence banner, as they did last year, according to Los Angeles Times staff writer Barbara Demick in Beijing.

Tibet, whose colorful culture is a strong tourist draw, had been ramping up tourist operations. In 2006, China opened the world’s highest railway between Beijing and Lhasa. But travel to Tibet remains controversial, with critics accusing Chinese officials of trying to dilute Tibetan culture.

Last week, icelandic singer Björk was criticized by the Chinese government for shouting “Tibet! Tibet!” at the end of a Shanghai concert. The Culture Ministry said she “broke Chinese law and hurt Chinese people’s feelings,” the Associated Press said.

— Jane Engle, Assistant Los Angeles Times Travel Editor

[Photo: A burning car sits on a street in the Tibetan capital Lhasa. STR/AFP/Getty Images]

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This entry was posted on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 3:26 pm by Jane Engle and is filed under Asia, Luxury Travel, News, Tips & Advice, Tours & Cruises. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.