Tibet Autonomous Region aims to host three million tourists this year, the regional bureau said.

It received an estimated 2.2 million tourist arrivals in 2008.

Seriously affected by the March 14 riot, Sichuan earthquake and tremors in the region, Tibet's tourism experienced a recession but it has been reviving, said Qiangba Puncog, chairman of the regional government.

The riot caused a 69-percent slump in the number of tourists and a 72-percent slump in revenue in the first half of 2008.

In 2007, the region attracted a record high of four million tourists, reaping more 4.8 billion yuan (about US$702 million).

The region has cut travel and hotel costs in hope of luring domestic and international sightseers. In the regional capital Lhasa, many hotels have taken 20 to 70 percent off their room rates, while air tickets from Beijing to Lhasa are now available at 70 percent or 80 percent of the original fare.

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2009)