The rise of tourist arrivals was first seen in Nyingchi Prefecture, home to the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, which received 24,000 tourists in November, a 4.8 percent increase year on year. The number of travelers also picked up gradually in other parts of Tibet.

Resorts such as Basum Lake, Nanyi Valley, and Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon have become popular attractions, said Wang Songping, the bureau's deputy head.

"It is expected that more tourists will come to feel the special Tibetan culture during the Tibetan New Year holiday," said Wang.

There will be a week-long public holiday, starting on Feb. 23, in Tibet to celebrate the Tibetan New Year, which falls on Feb. 25 this year.

-- (Xinhua News, Feb 15, 2009)