China shines light on Tibet

One of the hottest up and coming travel destinations on the horizon for 2009 is the mountainous region of Tibet, and this year at the China International Travel Mart (CITM), the tourism spotlight has been placed in this destination.

With a massive stand in the first exhibition hall, the Tibetan contingent features some 20 suppliers ranging from rail journeys to hotels and of course tour operators.

The first evening of CITM 2008 also featured a Tibet themed dinner where some 800 delegates enjoyed an evening filled with music and festivities from the Tibetan region.

"Over half a century... Tibet has experienced a rapid growth,"said Dekyi, Tibet Autonomous Region, Vice-Chairman.  "The fast upgrade of its infrastructure... lays a solid foundation for the development of tourism and the establishment of tourism as its dominant history.¡±

"Tourists (now can) travel in and out of Tibet through one railway, nine land entrances and eleven air routes."

"Tibet has issued a series of preferential policies to attract foreign investment and warmly welcomes visitors from home and abroad to visit Tibet and make full use of abundant tourist resources and build Tibet into a world-class destination,"she adds.
 
This Chinese frontier region spread over 1.2 million square kilometres, is populated by 2.8 million people.  Featuring UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka, as well as Potala Palace, most travellers in Tibet enter via the gateway city of Lhasa.

"Numerous lakes, rivers and water networks here establish its name as 'Asia's Water Tank'.  Forest resources in south-eastern Tibet are rich and evergreen.  Brahmaputra Grand Canyon has become a top world attraction for eco-tourism,"she continues.

Tibet can be called the best eco-tourism destination that provides the world's richest landscape and the most in-depth travelling experience.