An official from the Tibet Autonomous Region has declared that the visitor numbers in the region's main scenic spots will be controlled, including Mount Qomolangma, which is known as Mount Everest in the West, so as to develop “high quality” tourism in Tibet.
“The number of tourists will be strictly restricted at some scenic spots. We introduced a cap of 5,000 visitors for the Patala Palace in summer, and we will strictly control the number of tourists to Mount Qomolangma,” Qi Zhala, chairman of the region and a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress, noted.
“Tourism is the main channel for the opening-up of the region's economic development and the main force to improve residents' lives. But developing tourism must stick to the bottom line of environmental protection,” Qi said.
While Tibet takes measures to protect the regional environment, it also wants to develop “high quality” tourism in Tibet, for example, building more airports and highways and opening more airlines for tourists to make the transportation more easier and faster.