27 December 2006
Tourism boosts economic figures in TAR
(Xinhua) Xinhua have published economic statistics for the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) for 2006. The region’s GDP will hit US$3.7 billion this year (2.84bn €; £1.9bn), TAR Party secretary Zhang Qingli said, representing growth of 13.2 per cent. The rapid growth is attributed to fixed assets investment, consumption and foreign trade. The opening of the Golmud-Lhasa railway in July 2006, which has linked the region more closely with China, is believed to be the main factor in growth. The railway has reduced transport costs for goods into Tibet by 75 per cent and also led to a huge increase in tourism. The region recorded 2.45 million inbound tourists, with 2.29 million, or 93 percent, of them coming from China. This in turn has led to growth in the service sector, with government statistics showing 606 hotels in the TAR, 5,846 catering services, 4,867 shopping outlets and 3,216 entertainment venues. Border trade at the Nathu La Pass, which reopened in July too, has also contributed to the region's economic growth, according to official figures, as has the opening of an airport at Nyingchi.