www.chinaview.cn 2009-05-04 11:00:59

BEIJING , May 4 -- Tourism in Tibet plunged greatly last year following the Lhasa riots of last March. But during this year's May Day holiday, more than 10,000 visitors enter Tibet each day.

Four trains from different directions arrive at the Lhasa railway station each day, bringing many domestic and overseas tourists. During this May Day Holiday, the Qinghai-Tibet rail has brought nearly 3,000 passengers to Lhasa, double the number of last year.

One tourist from Beijing said: "I've visited here twenty times; this is an amazing place."

A local businessman sounds very upbeat.

Luo Sang, one businessman said: "She came here yesterday, and she returned today. My business is pretty good."

Tourism accounts for one quarter of Tibet's GDP. The region welcomed over two million tourists last year, down 44 percent year on year. That was due to the riots of last March. The region launched many discounts for scenic sites from the beginning of this year. And the first quarter has witnessed a rebound of nearly seven percent in the tourism market. From April, Tibet received more than 100 tour groups and 200 domestic groups each day.

Wang Songping, deputy director of the Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region, said: "Tibet is unchanged as a peaceful tourist destination. It is entering the best tourist season and best climate in May. We welcome domestic and overseas tourists to Tibet."

The regional Tourism Bureau said Tibet will likely receive more than three million travelers this year. This is set to generate a total income of 3.6 billion yuan, up by 40 percent year on year. (Source: CCTV.com)