China seeks to attract 3m tourists to Tibet

China has launched a campaign to bring 3 million visitors to Tibet this year after riots and unrest caused a decline in tourism growth in 2008, AFP reported, citing state media. The government target is up from the 2.2 million who traveled to Tibet in 2008, but still down from the more than 4 million who visited the region in 2007. The government campaign will include a "bonus fund" for tour operators as well as a boost in promotional activities. Previous state media reports said that local government had earmarked US$7.3 million to pay for promotions. The Tibetan region was sealed off to foreign visitors last year after riots against Chinese rule broke out in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa on March 14. Foreign tourists were allowed back into the region in June.