London-based advocacy group Tibet Watch says Chinese tourists are ‘culturally insensitive’ to Tibetan heritage and treat Tibetans ‘like zoo animals.’
The group has released a report entitled ‘Culture Clash: Tourism in Tibet’ which describes Tibetan people ‘as little more than exhibits there to be photographed regardless of whether they want to be or not.’
"The propaganda filled marketing of Tibet is encouraging tourism of a kind which generates cultural tension rather than cohesion," the report said.
Although the manners and attitude of Chinese tour groups have been criticized in various parts of the world, the report suggests that in Tibet, it comes down to Chinese propaganda.
"We do believe in the case of Tibet that the government propaganda is very negative and we believe that it is leading people to look at Tibetans in a negative way," said Eleanor Byrne-Rosengren, Tibet Watch’s director.
The attitude towards Tibetans is perhaps unsurprising as for generations, China has portrayed Tibetans as primitive while also marketing Tibet as a spiritual, exotic destination.
"The issue of why is very complex but certainly Chinese propaganda plays a role and the government has made no effort to help Chinese people understand or respect Tibetan people or Tibetan culture," said A. Tom Grunfeld a professor of Chinese and Tibetan history at the State University of New York.
