Tourism increased in the Tibet autonomous region in the first four months of the year, as the region aspires to become a world-class travel destination.
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The region had more than 830,000 tourists from January through April, a year-on-year increase of 23.4 percent, the regional tourism bureau said on Tuesday.
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Foreign tourists numbered 20,000, an increase of 10.3 percent, and the number of domestic tourists was 810,000, an increase of 23.8 percent.
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Meanwhile, the revenue generated by the tourism industry was 926 million CNY (148.4 million USD), an increase of 26.2 percent, it said.
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Karral Millar, 62, an Australian tourist, said she had a good time in Tibet.
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"It's wonderful. It's been three days now. We have visited the Potala Palace and many temples, and we are learning new things about Tibetan Buddhism and history," Millar said on Tuesday.
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Cycling has become a popular way to tour the region in recent years, as many tourists want to have close contact with the natural scenery and culture of Tibet.
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"It's my second time in Tibet. I am absolutely impressed with the natural scenery and unique culture. I feel as if I am at home here," said Liu Xiaojun, from Hebei province.
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"I am also overwhelmed with the hospitality and politeness of the local people," said Liu, adding that he plans to make a bicycle tour to Zhangmu Port in Tibet's Xigaze prefecture.
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Many businesses near the scenic spots in Lhasa see the coming of summer peak season as a harvest.
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"Compared with the same period last year, we had more guests this year. We have 62 rooms, and more than half are booked every day," said India, 41, a receptionist at the Kyichu Hotel, a Nepalese hotel in Lhasa.
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Tibet received more than 12 million tourists from home and abroad lastar.
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The region hopes to have 15 million tourists this year.Â