China's Xizang Autonomous Region is accelerating its efforts to become a world-class tourism destination by expanding cultural exchanges and deepening integration between tourism and local heritage, an official said Tuesday.
At a press conference on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region and its achievements in economic and social development, Gama Cedain, chairman of the people's government of Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China, noted that Xizang has a long history and a splendid culture, with unique natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
Xizang is an important center for preserving the distinctive culture of the Chinese nation and a major global tourism destination, enjoying exceptional advantages in developing its cultural tourism industry, he said.
"We place great importance on supporting the development of the cultural and tourism industry by deepening institutional reforms and introducing a series of policy measures. These efforts have led to the successful launch of numerous cultural and tourism projects, resulting in a thriving cultural tourism sector across the region. In 2024, the total output value of Xizang's cultural industry increased by 23.8 percent. The region received 63.89 million domestic and international visitors, marking a 15.8 percent increase year on year. Notably, the number of inbound tourists rose by 188.2 percent. In the first half of this year, Xizang welcomed 32,184,800 domestic and international tourists, representing an 11.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year," said Gama Cedain.
"In our efforts to build Xizang into a major global tourism destination, we have continuously drawn on practical experience, learned from leading examples, and actively expanded international exchange and cooperation. We are exploring ways to shift Xizang's tourism model from sightseeing to cultural tourism, from scenic tourism to in-depth leisure experiences, and from a ticket-based economy to a comprehensive industrial economy," he said.
"We remain committed to win-win cooperation. We continue to optimize the business environment, promote coordinated intercity tourism development within the region, advance cross-provincial tourism collaboration, and strengthen international tourism partnerships. Our goal is to align the quality of tourism services with internationally accepted standards," he said.
"We warmly welcome friends from both home and abroad to visit Xizang to traverse its vast land, take in its beautiful scenery, experience its rich culture firsthand, and witness the remarkable transformation of a new, modern socialist Xizang," said Gama Cedain.
Government pushes for cultural tourism surge in Xizang
