Tibet will reopen to visitors May 1

Beijing, China

Despite sporadic protests that continue to spark in pockets of western China and the harsh presence of military troops maintaining order, the Chinese government announced Thursday that it will welcome tourists once again to Tibet beginning May 1.

The move is design to show the world that life is back to normal after monk-led protests last month triggered a widespread government crackdown and international condemnation.

Tourism, a pillar industry in the Himalayan region, had come to a virtual standstill. The biggest unrest in decades paralyzed life in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. Hotels evacuated guests and travel agencies canceled forthcoming trips.

With the Beijing Olympics scheduled this summer, the Chinese government is eager to prove it can quickly regain control and prevent future uprisings.

No one may be happier to see tourists return than the estimated 140,000 people who work directly or indirectly in the Tibetan travel industry. Many have seen their livelihoods vanish as images of rioters setting Lhasa on fire and Chinese military moving in to restore peace filled television screens around the world.

Some hotels are offering steep discounts for the few customers trickling in. Scenic spots such as the landmark Potala Palace, which used to be mobbed with sightseers, now are enjoying a rare respite.

“Things have stabilized here,” said Wu Yongling, a travel agent based in Lhasa. “But I think Chinese tourists will probably come back sooner than the foreigners. They have seen too much negative coverage. Tell them we feel safe here.”

Tibet saw one of the biggest spikes in tourism last year, helped by the completion of a new $4.1-billion rail line billed as the highest in the world. The train has made the mystical land of the snows more accessible to inland Chinese and foreign tourists. Four million people visited in 2007, a 60% jump from the year before.

Travelers willing to venture into Lhasa next month may still witness the physical scars from the March disturbances. Locals say it will take time to rebuild the burned-out businesses and smooth over longstanding ethnic tensions.

But Doje Cezhug, the mayor of Lhasa, said he has full confidence in the future of his city.

— Ching-Ching Ni, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

[Photo: Residents in Lhasa, Tibet, transport new building materials to repair their houses Friday after damage caused by March riots; EPA / Ng Hong]

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This entry was posted on Friday, April 4, 2008 at 1:36 pm by Vani Rangachar and is filed under Asia, News, Tips & Advice. 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.