Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Tourism is now flourishing in Tibet with more Chinese travel in-country due to the corona virus pandemic. However, it is also posing risks for the region’s delicate environment and historic sites.
The number of visitors is limited to 5,000 per day at the Potala Palace, the former home of the Dalai Lamas. Balancing tourist demand along with wear and tear on the massive hillside structure is a continuous challenge, said Gonggar Tashi, the head administrator.
“The biggest challenge for us is the contradiction between the protection and usage of the cultural relics,” said Tashi.
The growing numbers of tourists are unconcerned by the political controversies surrounding Tibet. China’s communist forces entered the region in 1951, and the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s traditional spiritual and political leader, escaped to India during an abortive uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.
Millions of visitors visit Tibet every year, and in 2020, there was a 12.6 per cent increase from the previous year, said Ge Lei, deputy director of the China Tourism Marketing Association. He expects that visitors would almost double by 2026.
However, this influx of visitors, far exceeding Tibet’s population of 3.5 million people, is indeed a threat to protect the environment and culture, said Lei.
Tags: tibet
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