Tibet looks to build on tourism boom
As visitor numbers and revenues rise, region's counties work to develop tourist offerings
More than 100,000 rural residents in the Tibet autonomous region made money from tourism last year, according to the fifth session of the 10th People's Congress of Tibet.
Tourism revenues reached 33 billion yuan ($4.8 billon), up 17 percent year-on-year, as more than 23 million people flocked to the region, a 14.7 percent increase.
This year, more than 25 million visitors are expected, according to a government work report, with revenues forecast to hit 37 billion yuan.
"The region has fully promoted the standardization of tourism services, and the tourism industry has witnessed growth both in quality and effectiveness," said Losang Gyaltsan, chairman of the regional government, while delivering the annual government work report recently.
He added that Tibet would reinforce the training of tourism professionals and talent throughout this year.
Traditional Tibetan papermaking, a part of the region's intangible cultural heritage, has been one of the industries to benefit from the tourism boom.
Much of the region's paper production ceased half a century ago, but Nyemo county's Darong township, about 150 kilometers from Lhasa, has kept the craft alive.
"Since the 2000s, Tibetan paper has gained popularity in tourist spots, and the regional tourism bureau has encouraged craftsmen to preserve the culture," said Tsering Tobgyal, the owner of a Tibetan paper workshop in the county and a third-generation paper maker.
Fellow craftsman Kalzang Tenzin said tourism had enabled him to expand the range of products he can offer.
"Tourists come to us with different needs and orders, and we produce the products according to their wishes," the 45-year-old said.
He estimates that of the 150,000 yuan ($21,800) his family earned in 2014 and 2015, 100,000 yuan came from tourist sales while the rest came from monasteries and monks.