Tibet offers free entry into top scenic spots to boost winter tourism

LHASA -- Popular tourist attractions in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region will offer free admission from Oct 15 to Dec 31 to spur winter tourism, according to the local tourism development department.

The move is among a spate of preferential policies the region has launched since 2018 for winter, an off-season for local tourism.

Free visits to national 3A-level tourist attractions and above, excluding temples in the region, a minimum 50 percent average discount on air tickets, and a minimum 50 percent discount in local hotels rated three stars and above, are part of the benefits.

The region plans to develop standardized hot spring tours and Tibetan medicinal bath services as part of this year's campaign, according to Wang Songping, head of the regional tourism development department.

Tibet received 1.88 million tourists during the National Day holiday from Oct 1 to Oct 8, generating overall tourism revenue of 979 million yuan ($144.19 million), registering double-digit growths in both tourist volume and revenue compared with figures from the holiday last year.

The region received over 40 million tourists in 2019, with tourism revenue hitting 56 billion yuan.