Tibet to restore peak season tourist prices

Source: Xinhua | 04-22-2009 18:48

LHASA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Tibet today began to return to high season prices at tourism venues after a half-year discount, the Tibetan tourism authority said Wednesday.

More than 430,000 tourists visited Tibet Autonomous Region since October 20 last year, when the region's tourism administration launched a price-cut campaign to lure travelers during the slack winter season.

Tourist arrivals, including 406,000 domestic and 24,000 from abroad, increased by 12 percent in the past six months as against the previous corresponding period.

The administration mobilized travel agencies, key scenic spots, hotels and ground transportation authorities to cut prices by half.

During the promotion period, the price of a four-day and five-night package tour from China's coastal province of Guangzhou dropped to 2,499 yuan (366 U.S. dollars) per person, covering two-way flight tickets, food and lodging, and tickets for tourist resorts in Tibet.

The price cut, the largest ever in Tibet, has helped the region to regain visitors after the March riot last year badly hurt tourism, the main industry fueling the region's economy.

The Nyingchi region received 24,000 sightseers in November, up 4.8 percent as against the same period of 2007, making it the first in Tibet to recover from the sluggish tourist market.