News

TIBET Tourism Bureau has begun soliciting public opinions in revising Lhasa's current Overall Plan for Tourism Development. Along with economic growth and increased share of tourism market at home and abroad, the original plan compiled in 2003 falls short of further tapping the city's tourism resources.

The revision of the plan aims to turn Lhasa into an international tourist city featuring plateau and Tibetan ethnic cultures. The scope of the revised plan will extend to Lhasa's seven counties and one district for ten years from 2010 to 2020.

At present, tourism souvenir manufacturing is a weak sector in Lhasa's tourism industry with those locally made products in rough packaging and low quality, taking only 20 percent of Lhasa's souvenir market.

The Lhasa Tourism Bureau, in active cooperation with its cultural, technology and business departments, plans to research and develop souvenirs with proprietary intellectual property rights and ethnic characteristics in two to three years.

The Potala Palace, one of the world's most famours sites, has applied for the status of national 5A-grade scenic spot, and Jokhang Temple and Namtso Lake for 4A grade. All their applications are waiting for approval.

Source: Lhasa Evening News