Tibet greets first foreign tourists after riot
Updated: 2008-06-25 22:29
The couple will visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkor Street, Norbu Lingka Palace and a museum on Thursday and Friday, said Wang Hongmei, sales manager of the Xigaze bureau of the China International Travel Service.
On the weekend, they will visit Xigaze City and Gyangze County in southern Tibet. They will leave for Beijing by train on Monday, Wang said.
The couple had visited Shanghai and Xi'an before they came to Tibet, Sandstrom said.
Wang said her travel agency was now stepping up efforts to promote Tibetan tourism overseas.
"We want to bring more foreign travelers here," she said.
The regional government stopped issuing tourist permits to overseas travelers and the tourism authorities suggested travel agencies postpone organizing tour groups in the wake of the riot. It cited safety concerns and the reconstruction of tourism facilities around scenic spots damaged in the unrest.
Independent domestic travelers have not been prohibited from entering the region.
Tibet was re-opened to domestic tour groups on April 23, followed by visitors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan in May. As of June 20, the region had received more than 160 tour groups.
A second group of foreign tourists, four Singaporeans, will arrive on Sunday, according to the Tibet Autonomous Regional Bureau of Tourism.
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