Lhasa received more than 2.41 million visitors in the first half of 2014

Lhasa received more than 2.41 million visitors in the first half of 2014, and that number increased 19.82 percent compared to the same period of last year. Also, a total tourism revenue of 2.778 billion Chinese yuan, and that increased 43.64 percent compared to the same period of last year. With the increasing of the number of both group tourists and self-help tourists, Tibet enters into its annual peak season since July.

According to statistics provided by the hotels and travel agencies in Lhasa City, they received more guests compared to the same period of last year. The take-up rate in the hotel rises gradually since later April, and their occupancy rate reaches 90 percent since May. The principals of these hotels and travel agencies held that the series of introduction & promotion conferences held in different cities in China contribute to the prosperity of the tourism industry in Tibet in the first half of 2014. These conference attracted visitors to come to Tibet to explore the local culture.

In the period between January and March, Lhasa City received more than 0.48 million visitors, and that number increased 11.4 percent compared to the same period in the last year. Also, a total tourism revenue of more than 0.5 billion Chinese yuan has been completed and that increased 12.53 percent compared to the same period between January and March in 2013. Obviously, the advertising on the winter tourism products in Tibet contributed to the prosperity.

To attract more visitors, Lhasa focused on integrating the local tourism resources and creating festal atmosphere this year. An increasingly number of tourists are interested in the celebration ceremonies of the traditional Tibetan festivals. It is reported that the solemn Tibetan Shton Festival will be celebrated on August 25th this year. Local hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and scenic spots are already preparing for the reception of the visitors from different corners of the world during the celebration of Shoton Festival. There is no doubt that the celebration period of Shoton Festival is the peak high season for sightseeing in Tibet. The price of the accommodation and transportation in Lhasa would be relatively higher compared to the other seasons.

To promote the tourism development in Lhasa City, the local tourism departments already cooperated with the railway bureau, airlines and a series domestic cities to provide convenience for tourists planning a Tibet tour and expand the tourists market. At the same time, Lhasa strengthens the publicity on Tibet tourism in the important transport hub cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Xining. Both the direct trains and flights departure for Lhasa are available in these cities.

It should be noted that it is difficult to book the train tickets to Lhasa in the high season, and it is even more difficult to get the ticket to Lhasa from Beijing and Shanghai. For tourists willing to visit Shigatse, it will be a good choice to take the train to Shigatse directly in this September.