LHASA – Foreign tourists will be allowed to into Tibet from next Sunday, says a tourism official.
“Tibet will resume receiving foreign tourists as of April 5, and we warmly welcome them,” Bachug, head of the tourism administration of Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China, told the Xinhua news agency.
Foreign visitors were barred in March “for the sake of travelers’ safetyâ€, said Bachug.
Authorities imposed the security clampdown in Tibet and adjacent areas to prevent unrest during this month’s 50th anniversary of the revolt that led to the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, fleeing into exile.
“Tibet is harmonious and safe now. Travel agencies, tourist resorts and hotels are well prepared for tourists,” Bachung said.
However, there was some confusion about the planned re-opening among travel agents and others in the industry contacted by AFP.
“Foreign tourists can’t go to Tibet until April 28, that’s from a notice from the Sichuan Travel Administration,” said an employee at the Chengdu China Travel Service agency in southwest China, which does Tibet tours.
“Foreign tourists need to apply for permission to enter Tibet, and they can’t go with a Chinese group.”
