Tibet tourism is reeling in the wake of the March 14 riot, with the number of visitors halved in the first three quarters of 2008 compared with the same period of 2007.

Tibet received about 100,000 tourists in May and June each. The number surged to 370,000 in July, 460,000 in August, and 527,700 in September after Tibet was re-opened to domestic tourist groups on April 24, followed by visitors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwanin May and foreign tourists on group tours as of June 25. The tourist total for the first three quarters of the year is 1.7 million.

The March 14 disturbance caused a 47.1-percent year-on-year decline in January-September tourist arrivals, with 1.79 billion yuan (about US$238 million) of income, down 56.7 percent, said Wu Jianhua, a spokesman with the regional statistics bureau.

After the riot, the regional government stopped issuing tourist permits to overseas travelers and suggested travel agencies postpone group tours. It cited safety concerns and the reconstruction of tourism facilities around scenic spots damaged in the unrest.

Now tourism authorities have offered incentives to restore the tourism market. Travel agencies would get bonuses for taking more tour groups to Lhasa.

Lhasa, known as the "City of Sunshine", has long been considered one of the purest places on Earth. Tibet has more than 300 scenic sites, many of which are in or around Lhasa.

The riot led to the deaths of at least 18 civilians and one policeman. It also left 382 civilians and 241 police injured, businesses looted and residences, shops and vehicles torched.

(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2008)