The launching of Qinghai-Tibet railway will promote local tourism
development, said an official with China National Tourism
Administration (CNTA).
The tourism resources along the railway are very rich, with
different geography, biology and ethnic culture. There are world
famous canyon, snow mountains, lakes and plateau, with 35 percent
of rare wild animal species of the nation. Its unique history,
culture, and scene attracted tourists from home and abroad.
While due to the lack of transportation methods, the tourism
growth were restricted. Currently, there are only two ways
traveling into Tibet, by highway or by air. Aviation transportation
was affected by the frequency and capacity of the aircraft, with
high cost for travelers. Highways were comparatively dangerous for
travelers.
When the railway is finished, the bottleneck of infrastructure
will be improved, providing new opportunities for tourism
industry.
Official with the CNTA said railway is convenient, fast, safe,
comfortable, with low cost. When railway joins in competing for
travelers, the other transportation methods will also lower
cost.
(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2006)